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H I S T O E Y 



WOECESTER COUNTY, 

MASSACHUSETTS, 



EMBRACING A 



COMPREHENSIVE HISTORY OF THE COUNTY 



FROM ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT TO THE PRESENT THE, 



HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF ITS CITIES AND TOWNS 



11^ TWO VOLUMES. 

Vol. I. 



BOSTON : 
C. F. JEWETT AND COMPANY, 

1879. 



^ 



Entered according to Act of Congress In the year 1879, 

By C. F. JEWETT & COMPANY, 

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washingtan. 



BOSTON : 

•WBIOHT AND POTTEK J'llINTIXO COMTAlfT, 

NO. 70 MILK STREET. 



> 



fH 



PREFACE. 



In placing before the public, for their consideration and acceptance, a work 
as extensive and peculiar as the present, the Publishci's conceive it to be no 
less due to their readers than themselves, to offer some preliminary thoughts, 
as to the nature of the work itself, and the circumstances, felicitous or other- 
wise, that have attended its production. 

It must, probably, be admitted as a unique feature, that this History covers, 
in a sense strictly local and minute, a greater space of territory than has ever 
before been embraced in a single effort of the kind. We certainly are not 
aware of any one historical work, hitherto issued, that has dealt with an area 
of one thousand five hundred square miles, distributed between fifty-six thrifty 
towns and two large incorporated cities. There would not, indeed, be very 
numerous cases of such a possibility. Yet this is the task which we have pro- 
posed to ourselves, and with the execution of which we now advance, as we 
hope, to the approbation of a candid and intelligent public. 

There seems to be little need to explain our purpose, to have every town 
history prepared by some author of full and admitted acquaintance with the 
place in question. We have, we think, been able to do this in nearly every 
instance, even to the employment of an author dwelling on the very ground. 
While the effect of this system, working in compliance with a prospectus of 
definite historical topics, may be found to be the production of a certain man- 
nerism in style, we cannot but afiirm, that it has led to the gathering up of 
more and better facts, more lucidly arranged and more vividly recited, than 
could have been found in the work of any single writer attempting to handle 
the whole subject. 

We have not, however, left the effort to itself, even at this point. The 
manuscript of the local author has been, in almost all cases, carefully examined 
and supervised by the best available talent, before going to press. Thus the 
history of the county proper has all passed under the eyes of Judge P. Emory 
Aldrich and Samuel F. Haven, LL. D., of Worcester, and every statement in 
it has been strictly verified under their direction. We desire to record our 
obligations to these gentlemen and scholars in the clearest manner. Also to 
Edmund M. Barton for his vigilant and courteous attention to the authors and 
publishei-s in their frequent visits to the Library of the American Antiquarian 

[iii] 



PREFACE. 



Society. Likewise, for similar services rendered in respect of single towns, 
wc present our acknowledgments to Eev. J. D. Crosby, Hon. George W. 
Johnson, Hon. E. E. Ljmde, Hon. Freeman Walker, E. B. Bigclow, Esq., 
Hon. X. L. Johnson, Stephen Shepley, Esq., Eev. John Haven, Eev. Samuel 
May, Col. Asa H. Waters, Hon. Charles Adams, Jr., Eev. G. H. DeBevoise, 
J. J. Johnson, M. D., George F. Daniels, Esq., Hon. Jason Goulding, Hon. 
George Whitney, Samuel I. Howe, Esq., Eev. Dr. Lucius E. Paige, Samuel 
M. Lane and Manning Leonard, Esqs., Charles A. Wheelock, Esq., J. G. 
Mudge, Esq., Bcthucl Ellis, Esq., Dr. William D. Peck, Hon. Wm. Upham, 
and others who may have escaped our present memory. We do not fail to be 
deeply sensible of the value of the services of these gentlemen, both to our 
readers and ourselves, nor of their notable kindness in affording those services 
so readily. 

A somewhat ripe experience in this kind of literary labor has rendered us 
fully sensible of many things that are almost certain to be alleged, with more 
or less vigor, as defects in the work after its best completion. We wish here 
to be well understood, when we say that we do not warrant against defects in 
our book. Wc do not believe we have included false, nor even incorrect, state- 
ments : at least we have used every exertion to prevent it. But that some 
facts — possibly important ones — may have been omitted, is not only likely, 
but the contrary would be quite incredible if not impossil)le. We have not 
undertaken to collect all the history of Worcester County, but wc have agreed 
for certain classes of facts, and we think our agreement has been foithfully 
kept on our part. 

We have endeavored to make this work essentially a Worco|[^ County pro- 
duction, and in conformity with this idea the paper of the present eijlition was 
made expressly for us by Crocker, Burbank & Co., the long-establi&cd and 
extensive paper manufacturers at Fitchburg, and is in itself a commentauy on 
the industry of the district which the whole work is given to describe. T 

In conclusion, wc only ask that every one disposed to be critical of such a 
production, will candidly remember the difficulties that must inevitably beset 
the progress of every part. The result, however, is before the public. We 
have sought to make it not only a History, but an Exhibition of Worcester 
County. An equal array of its local features, in beautiful and artistic illustra- 
tion, was never before brought together. The plates are in every instance 
new, and their execution bears evidence of good workmanship in the high art 
of wood euffraviner. 



CONTENTS. 



Vol. I, 



PREFACE, . . . . 
CONTENTS, . . . . 
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS, 
MAP 



INTRODUCTION TO COUNTY HISTORY, 



HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, bt Rev. Abijah P. Marvin : 

Chapter I. —Topography and Water System of Worcester County, 

Chapter II. — Geological Notes, 

Chapter III. — IiuUans in Worcester County, 

Chapter TV. — Iucorpor.ation, 

Chapter V. — Origin of the Towns, 

Chapter VI. — Administration of Justice, 

Chapter VII. — Interesting Cases before Courts in Worcester County, 

Chapter VIII. — County Roads and other Ways of Travel, 73 

Chapter IX. — Worcester County as a Political Unit, 89 

Chapter 5. — The Spirit of Worcester County in the Revolution, .... 96 

Chapter XI. — Shays' Rebellion, 99 

ChjVPTer XII. — Education and Schools, 105 

Chapter XIII. — Societies and Associations, 133 

Chapter XIV. — Religions Conferences and Denominatious, 145 

Chapter XV. — Religious History of the County, 151 

Chapter XVI. — Business in Worcester County, 174 

Chapter XVII. — The Worcester County Press 185 

Chapter XVIII. — Military History of the County 192 / 

Chapter XIX. — Four Celebrated Inventors 196 



TOWNS IN WORCESTER COUNTY: 
Ashburnham, 
Athol, . 
Auburn, . 
Barre, . 
Berlin, . 
Blackstone, . 
Bolton, . 



PAoa 

Rev. Abijah P. Marvin, 201 

George W. Horr, LL. B., 213 

George A. Stockwell, A. M., 240 

Frederick Clifton Pierce, 252 

Rev. Abijah P. Marvin, 272 

Judge Arthur A. Putnam, 280 

Rev. Abijah P. Marvin, 298 



CONTENTS. 



TOWNS IN WORCESTER 

BOTLSTON, 
BrOOKFIEU), 

Chaklton, 

ClejtoN; . 

Dana, 

Douglas, 

Dudley, . 

FrrcoBUBG, 

Gardner, 

Grafton, 

IIardwick, 

H^VRVARD, 
HOLDEX, . 

hubbardstox 

Lancaster, 

Leicester, 



COUNTY, Continued: 

PACZ 

Augustas Flagg 309 

Rev. Abijah P. Marvin, 319 

George A. StoekweU, A. M., 372 

John T. Danic, Esq., 38o 

Gcorgo W. Horr, LL. B., 4Q8 

William A. Emerson, 420 

Rev. Zepbaniali Baker, 430 

Eben Bailey 444 

Rev. William D. Herrick 505 

Eev. John H. Windsor, 525 

Rev. Abijah P. Marvin, 54C 

Eev. Abijah P. Marvin, 558 

Maj. Isaac Damon, . . 570 

William Btiiuett, 584 

Eev. Abijah P. Marvin, 595 

Rev. Abijah P. Marvin, CIC 



INDEX TO WORCESTER COUNTY, 



635 



INDEX TO TOWNS: 

ashburnham, 641 

Athol, 642 

Auburn, 643 

Barre, 644 

Berlin, 645 

645 



Blackstone, 
Bolton, 
botlston, . 
Brookfield, 



North, 
West, 



646 

. . . .648 

648 

649 

Charlton, 630 

Clinton, 651 

Dana, 651 

Douglas 652 

Dlt)ley, 653 

FiTciinuKO 



G.VRDNER, 



653 

655 

Grafton, 656 

Hardwick, 656 

Harvard, 657 

HoiJ>EN 658 

Hubbardston 659 

Lancaster, 660 

Leicester 661 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



American Autiquaiiau Society's Building, 

First Court-house, built ia 1732-3, 

Frcscnt Court-houses, ..... 

County Jail, Worcester, .... 

County Jail, Fitchburg, .... 

Worcester County Free Institute, . 

Christ Church, Court-house, and Soldiers' Monument, Fitchburg, 

Cushing Academy, Ashbumham, . 

Mills of C. W. & J. E. Smith, 

Chestnut Hill Meeting-house, Blackstone, 

Old Wait Tavern, West Brooklield, 

Lawrence Felling Company's Mill, 

0. E. Morse & Co.'s Factory, 

Town Hall, Clinton, 

Reuben Gibson House, Fitchburg, 

Joseph Spofford House, Fitchburg, 

Fitchburg Savings Bank Block, 

High and Grammar Schools, Fitchburg, 

Residence of Charles T. Crocker, Fitchburg, 

Residence of Mrs. S. W. Putnam, " 

Union Passenger Station, Fitchburg, 

Fitchburg Woolen IMill Company's Building, Fitchburg, 

Residence of Samuel E. Crocker, Fitchburg, 

[vU] 



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Facing 



page 32 
48 
64 
80 
96 
128 
176 
210 
246 
282 
300 
380 
380 
390 
448 
448 
452 
452 
458 
458 
462 
462 
466 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Residence of Mrs. Eugene T. Miles, Fitchburg, 
" of Rodney Wallace, " 
" of William H. Vose, " 
Rodney Wallace's Paper-mills, " 
Putnam Machine Company's Works, " 
Woolen Manufactory of James Phillips, Jr., Fitchburg, 
Office of Crocker, Burbank & Co., Fitchburg, 
Crocker, Burbank & Co.'s " Stone Mill," Fitchburg, 
"SnowMiU," 
" " " "HannaMill," " 
" " » "Upton Mill," " 
u " " " Lyon & Whitney Mills," Fitchburg, 
Portrait of Hon. Alvah Crocker, Fitchburg, 
" of Salmon W. Putnam, " 
" of Hon. Eugene T. Miles, " 
Heywood Bros. & Co.'s Chair-factory, Gardner, 
Residence of Levi Heywood, " 
" of Seth Heywood, " 
" of Henry Hej-wood, " 
Paint-shop of Heywood Bros. & Co., " 
Residence and Factory of Philander Derby, Gardner, 
First Congregational Church, " 
First Parish Church and Memorial Hall, Lancaster, 
Town Hall, Leicester, 



Facing page 


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c u A' v ft r 7W r r r ^ j^^ ^ „ 7J B ' » 



INTRODUCTIOISr. 



It is important that the reader should bear in mind the fact that the first 
division of this work is the history of the County of Worcester, as a county. 
The history of the several towns in the county is entii-ely distinct. A constant 
recognition of this distinction will prevent disappointment, and, in some cases, 
will forestall criticism. 

A county is a imit in the commonwealth, and the historian of a county must 
treat of matters pertaining to it as a territorial division, created for special pur- 
poses. Tlie first use of a county is as a judicial division of the State. It fol- 
lows that a view of the judicial system of the county, and the action of the 
courts, must have a prominent place. This will include a list of all judges, 
district-attorneys, sheriffs, clerks of court, and other officei's connected with 
the administration of justice. The county buildings, as court-houses, jails and 
houses of correction, are entitled to notice. It will be proper, also, to refer 
to some of the important cases which have excited great interest in the county 
in former times. 

Again, a county is a political unit of the commonwealth. At the adoption 
of the Constitution in 1781, it was strictly so, because the State senators were 
chosen on a general ticket, and each one was a representative of the whole 
county. At pi-esent a certain number of senators is allotted to each county, 
though they are chosen by districts. 

Thirdly, a county has, for one of its functions, the laying-out and ordering 
of roads, which towns are not responsible for, or are not willing to make. 
This business, and the arranging of railroad crossings, are among the most 
important duties of the county commissioners. 

In some respects the Indians have a legitimate place in the history of the 
county. The whole of the territory out of which Worcester County was 
carved, formerly was in possession and under the sway of the Xipmuck or 
Nipnct tribe. The seven Christian Indian churches in the county belonged to 
this tribe. They are therefore noticed at some length in this division of tiic 
work. The sections of the tribe, as the Wcshakim of Lancaster, the Qua- 



INTRODUCTION. 



boags of Brookficld, the Hassauameselts of Grafton, the Pegans of Dudley, 
aud some others, will have due mention in the sketches of the towns to which 
they belonged. 

The County of Worcester has also, as a section of the State, a distinct 
arrangement or collocation of mountains and hills ; a distinct and almost exclu- 
sive water-system connected with these elevations, aud a geological formation 
exhibiting peculiar features, all of which transcend town limits, and must 
therefore be treated county-wise. Natural scenery which is peculiar to the 
several towns, falls into the province of the town historians, who have not 
failed to describe the natural Ixiintics df the places assigned to them. 

In treating of other subjects, such as education, religion, business, political 
aflairs and secular associations, it is necessary to be confined to those aspects 
of those things which are general, and not confined to town or city limits. 
For example, Conferences, Denominations, Academies, Agricultural and Anti- 
quarian Societies embrace many towns, aud, in some (;ascs, the whole county. 
None of the schools in "Worcester arc local institutions, except those Avhich are 
supported aud supervised by the city. Those not under municipal control are 
properly included in the history of the county. Historically considered, there 
were events in the Revolution aud in Shays' Rebellion, for which Worcester 
furnished the scene, but the events themselves are a part of the aunals of the 
county. 

So much may be said for what is claimed as pertaining to the county history 
proper. A few words may be pertinent in relation to the matters which are 
excluded from this part of the work, and left to the town and city historians. 
Everything belongs to the history of a New England town. Its origin ; its 
scenery ; its inhabitants ; its acts as a town ; its roads ; its schools ; its paro- 
chial annals ; its business ; its military history ; its characteristics ; its prom- 
inent or distinguished men and women ; all there is in it to be interested in, or 
proud of, comes within the piu-vicw of the town historian. Towns are before 
counties. They have more important functions, except in the administration 
of justice. Their history is far more interesting than that of counties can be, 
and to the town histories the reader must look for the matters of chief interest 
in this work. 



HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY. 



BY REV. ABIJAII P. MARVIN. 



CHAPTER I. 

TOPOGRAPHY AND WATER SYSTEM OF WORCESTER COUNTY. 

The surface of the county is varialjle, consisting of valleys, plains, liills, 
and mountains. The elevation of the land, above the level of the sea, is from 
two hundred to a thousand feet, in general, with many summits rising much 
above the latter height. The Great Watatic, in the north cf the county, whoso 
broad base extends into New Hampshire, is more than eighteen hundred feet 
above tide-water. The hcigiit of AVachusctt Mountain is, by good authority, 
two thousand three hundred and twenty feet ; earlier surveys or estimates gave 
it a much higher elevation. In 1777, the Hon. John "Winthrop reported its 
summit to be three thousand and twelve feet above the sea-lcvcl. 

A lofty range extends entirely across the county, from north to south, with 
Wachusett Mountain nearly in the middle. This mountain range, with the 
vallej's which are the beds of streams that take their rise near the base of 
"Wachusett, includes the whole county, except the north-west corner, separated 
by IMillcr's River, and a tier of towns on the east side from Harvard to Black- 
stone, divided off by the valleys of the Nashua, Lake Quinsigamond, and 
IMackstone River. 

The water system of the county is simple in one respect. Nearly all the 
streams and rivers J3ow from the central elevation. As said above, the north- 
west corner of the county, including Royalston and a small section of one or 
two other towns, is cut off from the rest of the county by Miller's River, but 
the largest afHuents of this river are from the western base of tlie Wachusett 
range. Turning south we find the sources of Ware River, and other feeders 
of the Chicopee on the western base of the mountain. The united waters 
empty into the Connecticut. The head springs of the Quinebaug and French 
rivers are in the southern spur of Wachusett, and flow into Long Island 
Sound ; while the Blackstone, rising in Ilolden, near its base, and in Grafton 
receiving the outflow of Lake Quinsigamond, flows south to Narragansett Bay, 
Coming to the northern and eastern sides of Wachusett, wc find the maiu 
sources of the north branch of the Nashua River in Westminster and Ash- 
burnham ; and the springs of the south branch in Princeton and Rutland. 



COUNTY IIISTOKY, 



These latter flowing northcrl}'^ to Laucastcr, unite with tlie north l)ranch ; and 
the main stream extends to the Merrimac at Nashua, and by that channel 
reaches the Atlantic Ocean. 

The easteiMi tier of towns forms a watershed. The western side of the 
range pours its waters into the valleys of the Nashua and the Blackstone. 
The streams on the easterh' side empty into the Charles, the Sudbury, and 
the Assabct ; the two latter forming the Concord, which joins the IMerriniac at 
Lowell. 

From the above description it will be seen that if travelers should start from 
the mouths of the Nashua, the Blackstone, the Quincbaug, the Chicopee, and 
the Bayqungc, or Miller's rivers, and follow them up to their highest sources, 
thcyM'ould llnd themselves in not remote proximity around the base of Wachu- 
sett, which rises like a grand and regular dome in tlic centre of the county. 

The vallejs which divides the eastern tier of towns from the main body of 
the county, is worthy of the study of the general reader as well as of the 
geologist. It seems to be one valley from the north to the harbor at Provi- 
dence, though the two main streams of the valley run in exacth' opposite 
directions. The Nashua turns to the north at West Bojdston, and the Black- 
stone bends to the south at Worcester; but Lake Quinsigamond, which flows 
into the Blackstone, is separated from the Nashua by a short and low depression 
which is lifted by only a slight elevation above the intervale at West Boylston. 
There ai"e indications that the Nashua once flowed southward in a much more 
copious stream ; and it is, perhaps, a not extravagant conjecture, that its waters 
jioured through Quinsigamond and the Blackstone valleys into Narragansett 
Bay. However this may be, there is a continuous vallc}' from Pcppercll to 
Providence, and it is a beautiful feature in the scenery of the county. 

It is expected that the historians of the several towns will note the pleasant 
aspects of nature in their localities. These will include objects of local pride 
or pleasure, as hills, ponds and valleys, confined by the limits of the town- 
ship. On the other hand, the ranges of land, and the rivers which extend 
through the county, binding the whole together into one geographical system, 
belong to the county history. There is a great difl^'erenco in towns, in regard 
to their surface, and general contour. Towns l^'iug side by side often show 
this diversity in their make-up. One will be all loveliness in the mingling of 
bill and valley, meadow and woodland ; another will bo wild, rough, and 
perhaps grand in its outlines ; while a third will have nothing either pleasant or 
awe-inspiring. The scenery is either common-place or vulgar, if tliat epithet 
can be properly applied to any of the works of nature. Again, there are 
towns in which the tourist can find nothing to please the eye, but they furnish 
a lofty standpoint from whicii a wide extent of the country is visil)le. The 
near is repulsive, while the distant is extensive and grand. At the feet of the 
observer are rocks, swamps, and stumpy fields, but at a distance lakes, and far- 
off mountains, risinii in serried ridjres to the clouds. There arc towns which 



VALLEYS AND RIVERS. 3 

comhiuo tho distant ami the near in an harmonious whole, and therefore please 
the eye in whatever direction it is turned. Such townships arc Petersham, 
Barre, Leominster, Lancaster, Worcester, not to speak of others scarcely less 
noted for hcauliful scenery. The wildest aspects of nature, within the limits 
of the county, are probably in Royalston and Sutton. The wild glens, cas- 
cades, and waterfalls in tho former, and the rugged, and awful chasms (jf 
" Purgatory" in the latter, arc a never-failing attraction to visitors. 

AVheu the county was first explored, little was found to draw the settler 
hither except in the intervales of the Nashua, and the streams which flow south- 
ward fom AVachusett. The region was hilly, covered with woods, tided with 
wikl animals, and roamed over by the natives. Lisects, and snakes, often 
venomous, were an annoyance or a dread to the hunter and explorer. Tlie 
adder, the copperhead and the rattlesnake, were to be guarded against in all 
places. The journals of the captains, in the old Indian wars, often make men- 
tions of poisonous serpents. Wild-cats, wolves, and bears were common, not 
only preying upon t.inie animals, but endangering human life. We need not 
wonder, therefore, that leading men in Boston, not having the gift of prophecy 
or of statesmanlike foresight, doubted whether Worcester could ever become a 
''respectable county." They could not forecast the time when this wild section 
should l)e free from noxious animals, and these hills and valleys be brousht 
under skilful cultivation, and these streams, tui'ned to the work of driviu"- 
machinery, should be lined with thriving villages and flourishing cities. 

The large streams of the county, especially those dignilied by the names of 
rivers, cut through or divide several towns, and may, therefore, come into this 
review without apology. The current of Miller's, or Bayquage river, from its 
source in Ashburnham, flows some twenty-five miles before passing into the 
county of Franklin ; and with its chief affluent, the Otter, drains wholly, or 
in part, eight towns. Its flow of water is abundaiit, and owing to great ponds 
and reservoirs, is constant. The stream descends so rapidly that it furnishes 
numerous sites for mills and factories. This river, insignificant as it may seem 
on the map, is the means of life and growth to much of the business in the 
north-west of the county. There are many pleasant scenes on the river and 
its branches, lined with meadows and plains ; but there is very little of that 
peculiar formation called intervale. 

Ware River, rising on the west side of Wachusett, has its head springs in 
Princeton, Westminster and Ilubbardston. Gathering the water from several 
consideralde streams, it binds ten or twelve towns into one group, on the 
western side of the county. It is fed by numerous ponds, which gem the 
landscape ; and though the country it traverses is, in part, rough and swampy, 
yet there are reaches of surpassing loveliness on its banks. 

Numerous streams, rising in Paxton, Oakham, Spencer, and the Brookfields, 
feed the Chicopee ; and in their flow add much to the physical features of a 
region which has always called forth the admiration of the traveler, and 



COUNTY HISTORY. 



endeared it to the hearts of its inhabitants. The south-west section of the 
county is watered ))y ponds, hikes and streams, which swell the flood of the 
Quinebaug and French rivers and the great pond or lake in Welister, (whose 
bigness the Indians seem to have labored to express by its long and sounding 
name, Chau-bun-a-gun-ga-maug,) flash in the sunshine, ripple under the breeze, 
and lighten up the face of the county. 

The Blackstone gathers the waters from a dozen or more towns in the south- 
eastern part of the county, reaching from the centre to the line of Ehodc 
Island. The numerous ponds which diversify the landscape in Leicester and 
Sutton ; Quinsigamond Lake, which, like a section of a great river, beautifies 
the borders of three or four towns, and glasses the gentle slopes of Worcester 
and Shrewsbury for several miles ; the many artificial as well as natural ponds 
in Upton, Nortlibridgc, Douglas, Uxbridgc, Milford, IMendon and Blackstone, 
and tiie winding of the main river, swelled by these unfailing atflueuts, through 
its long valley, — lend a peculiar charm to the whole region. 

Of all the rivers in the county, however, the Nashua is the largest within 
county limits, and has the greatest varietur and beauty of scenery. The north- 
ern branch is fed by streams from the eastern base of the Great and Little 
Watatic, and the northern base of Wachusctt, then flowing through Fitchburg, 
and Leominster, it joins the southern branch in Lancaster. This latter stream 
has its fountains on the eastern and western sides of the mountain, and j) airs 
its accumulated flood through Iloldcn, Sterling, the Boylstons and Clinton to 
the junction in Lancaster, and so on to the north. The scenery of a whole 
province is found in its course. Mountains, lofty hills, granite domes, gorges, 
rapids, lakes, ponds, reservoirs, plains, meadows, uplands and, above all, 
intervales, are brought into a natural unity, and contribute to form one of the 
most pleasant and interesting sections of the State. Nothing can exceed the 
intervales of the Nashua Vallej- in fertility and diversified beauty. There is a 
charming little vale in Holden ; there is a I)roader sweep of alluvial plain in 
West Boylston, on the southern branch. On the northern, as it flows through 
Leominster, there is a long stretch of the same formation, adding much to the 
wealth of the town, as m'cII as to its natural amenity. But the perfection of 
intervale formation is to be found in Lancaster, on both branches ; and the 
main river, for miles and miles, as the stream hurries along over rapids, or 
gently curves and doubles on itself, and lingers as if it loved the child of its 
own creation. Its channel has run, in successive ages, all over the broad 
valley, from side to side, and every great flood swells it to a mighty river thut 
covers all the space between the bordei'ing hills. The loam of not less tiian 
si.xteen towns, annually brought down from the hills, contributes to the fertil- 
ity of the soil and nourishes a diversified vegetation. 

There can be little doubt that the intervale has been growing more regular 
and even on its surface in the course of centuries. Every overflow tends to 
fill up hollows, and smooth over inequalities of surface. An occasional 



GEOLOGICAL NOTES. 



divci-'^cncc of the river from its channel leaves a dead river, or an uiisiglitly 
diti'li, l)iit successive floods fUl these places with the debris of forests, mills 
and bridges, mixed and covered with vegetable mould, until a good soil is 
created, and the surface of the intervale is unbroken. A great change of this 
kind has taken place within a comparatively brief period of time, between the 
junction at Lancaster and the Shirley line. There is a small body of water 
on the western border of Bolton and Harvard, called "Still River." On 
old maps this was called the" Long Pond" or " Long Lake," and was three or 
fom- miles in length, with a much greater breadth than the widest part of the 
main river at present. South of this lake, or perhaps a shallow continuation 
of it, and directly opposite Lancaster station, at the east, was a swampy tract 
called the " Swans' Swamp." This swamp was crossed by the main road to 
Concord till near the middle of the last century. It is now tilled so as to be 
passable, dry shod, in the summer. The land is mowed and pastured. In 
like manner the greater part of the "Long Lake" has become solid land, and 
the time is coming when " Still River " will dwindle to a brook, unless the 
Nashua forsakes its present bed in Lancaster and seeks its ancient course in 
Bolton and Harvard. The banks of the river are higher than the land on the 
eastern side of the intervale, and at every flood the overflow tends to the 
eastward, carrying vast quantities of fine sand and finer loam to fill and enrich 
the fields. 



CHAPTER ir. 

GEOLOGICAL NOTES. 

There are some points of interest, though nothing remarkable to the gen- 
eral observer, in the geology of Worcester County. It is different, of course, 
to the scientific explorer. He finds " books in the running brooks " and " ser- 
mons in stones." Every ledge, rock, pebble and stone, water-worn till round 
and smooth as an ivory ball ; every bed of clay and mass of sand ; every 
mountain and valley and swamp ; every water-course and pond, is filled with 
the records of countless centuries of work wrought by the elements and by 
perished animals whose pulverized particles have passed through a thousand 
forms. But, leaving this minuter scrutiny to those who have time and taste 
for the study, we note here merely what is apparent to the eye of the trav- 
eler. 

The general rocky formation of the county is gneiss, a rock aggregated of 
(piartz, feldspar and mica. This prevails over the western half of the county, 
through its whole length. The same is true of the eastern side, beginning in a 
narrow strip on the east of Harvard and widening to the line of Rhode Island. 
The exception to this general fact is found in a section beginning at the centre 



COUNTY HISTORY. 



and exteiidiiig north and cast, in fun-like shape, into Middlesex. At the north 
end of lake Quinsigamond, a vein of argillsiceous slate a mile or two in width, 
appears, and gradually widening to tiiree or four miles as it traverses Lancas- 
ter, passes out of the county. In this formtition tiierc are many beds of fine 
clay, esi)ecially in Lancaster, from which bricks have l)ccu made in great quan- 
tity during several generations. There is also a fine and extensive slate quarry 
at the north-east corner of the town. Slate in coarser variety crops out in sev- 
eral places. 

Starting from the same localitv — the north end of Qiiinsigamond — another 
vein of about the same widtli extends to the north and east, steadily widening 
till it passes out of the county towards Lowell. This formation is mica slate ; 
and it i)asses through parts of Shrewsbury, Bo3'lston, Clinton, Berlin, Bolton 
and Harvard, and runs parallel with the argillaceous slate the whole length of 
the eastern side of Lancaster. 

Taking now a new starting point at the State line in Webster, we find another 
formation of mica slate, about two miles wide, which extends north through 
Oxford and Auburn to Worcester, where its width is not far from three miles. 
Here it joins the argillaceous slate, mentioned al)ove, and runs parallel with it 
on the western side, widening as it extends into AVest Boylston, Sterling, 
Leominster and Fitchburg, where it bends to the right, and covering Lunen- 
burg, passes out of our I)ounds. This slaty formation, single and narrow at 
the southern extremity, and triple from Worcester to the northern end, with 
constantly increasing breadth, is a peculiar feature in the geology of the 
county. 

(Iranite, a crystallized aggregation of quartz, feldspar and mica, was formerly 
found ill the shape of bowlders, in all parts of the count}'. Much of this has 
been utilized in foundations, piers, al)utments and buildings. Immense masses 
of granite are located in Fitchburg, Harvard and Northbridge. It crops out in 
lesser proportions in many places. Good building-stone is common, especially 
in Worcester, where are several massive and elegant structures made of the 
cream-colored stone, tinged with iron, which is drawn from quarries in and 
near the city. The quartz rock in Bolton and Harvard bears such a close re- 
semblance to the gold-bearing quartz of California, that geologists and old 
miners seem alike surprised at the al)seuce of the precious metal. None in 
paying quantity has yet been found. 

Formerly iron was obtained in several places, as Sterling, Ilubbardston, etc., 
but the amount was so small, and the distance from market so great, that the 
mines could not be worked at a profit. The geological maps are marked with 
tokens of iron in Worcester, IIul)bardston, Sterling, Oakham, New Braintree, 
North and West Brookficld. Ilardwick, Sturbridge and Southbridge. 

Coal of an inferior quality has been taken from a mine in the hill north-east 
of the city of Worcester, but the search for more and better has not been en- 
couraged by good results. 



INDIAN TRIBES. 



Tlio lipiost;)iic qiiiiny in Bolton was formerly ■worked, and large quantities 
of good linu^ liave l)ceu hnrned there in eai'ly times; but nothing has been done 
recently, though the material is not exhausted. Steatite, or soapstonc has been 
discovered in several places, as Fitehburg, Worcester and Millbury, but the 
quarries cannot compete with those of New Hampshire, and ai-e of little pecu- 
niary value. Greenstone, or trap, crops out in several towns, especially in a 
kind of group north and west of AVaehusett, as in Westminster, Ilubbardston, 
Biirre and Holden. But these and other geological and mincralogical facts of 
local interest, will be duly noticed by the historians of the several towns. 

These notes, which do not pretend to be the result of scientific study, except 
as they arc gathered from the reports of scientists, may be properly closed by 
a brief extract from President Hitchcock's "Geology of IVIassachusetts," pp. 
555-6, referring to the AVorcester County clay slate. "Some geologists," he 
remarks, "would probably regard the slate that forms the roof and floor of the 
mine of anthracite in Worcester, as argillaceous slate ; and maintain that the 
range of this slate in Worcester County, extends at least as far south as that 
spot. But I regard that slate rather as a fine mica slate, much impregnated 
with carbon, which gives it the appearance of argillaceous slate. . . I have 
not found nuich well characterized argillaceous slate south of Boylston. And 
north of this place, the country is so much covered with diluvium, and so little 
hilly, that the slate does not often come into view. . . Its characters appear 
most fully developed iu Lancaster, where it has been quarried for roofing slate, 
and here the range is broadest. . . It passes, on either side, iiito the pecu- 
liar mica slate, already spoken of in Worcester County, and in this latter rock 
protrusions of granite are not infrequent." 

The passing remai'k in this extract, that the slate does not " often come into 
view," suggests what more recent observers confirm, that argillaceous slate is 
to be found in other beds than those already worked in Lancaster and Harvard. 



CHAPTER III. 

INDIANS IN WOKCESJ'ER COUNTY. 

When the English came to Plymouth, in 1620, aud to Boston, ten years 
later, the whole territory which now belongs to Massachusetts was thinly in- 
habited by Indians. These were divided into several tribes. Some of these 
tribes were subdivided into lesser bodies. Perhaps it would be quite as correct 
to say, that some tribes were subordinate to the chiefs of tribes more numerous 
and powerful. For example, Daniel Gookin states that the Nipnets or Nip- 
mucks were, to a certain extent, under the tribe of the Massachusetts. 



COUNTY HISTORY. 



Section 1. T/ie JS^ipnet Country. — The region called in early times the 
Xipnet, Nipmuck or Nipiuug country, was nearly conterminous witii AVorces- 
ter County, as now bounded. Gov. Winthroj), under date of January 27, 
1G31, old style, 'vvTites of a journey made bj' himself and others, to a point which 
was in the present town of Sudbur^', as is believed, where, on the west side 
of an elevation styled Mount Feake, from the top of a very high rock, "they 
might sec all over Neipnett, and a very high hill due west, about forty miles 
off, and to the north-west, the high hills by Merrimack, above sixt3' miles off." 

The "ver}' high hill due west" could be no other than Wachusett Mountain, 
near the centre of Worcester County, though the distance is not more than 
thirty-five miles. The hills to the north-Avest probably included all in view 
from the Watatics to the Temple hills. Possibly the leonine brow of the grand 
Monadnock towered up in the far distance, nearly sixt}' miles away. But we 
must rememl)cr that the country had not then been explored ; much less accu- 
rately survej'cd. 

From Gookin we learn that tiic Nipnet region extended from Marll)orough 
to the south end of Worcester County, and around by the Brookfields, through 
Wcshakim, [Nashawaj'] , to the northern boundary of the State. There were no 
boundary lines by which tribes or sections of tribes were limited. They hud a 
centre from which the territory of the tribe radiated irregularly, according to 
convenience. In hunting and fishing, though not in planting, thc\^ doubtless 
entered the territor}- belonging to other tribes ; or certain boixler sections might 
have l)ecn neutral ground. It is quite near enough to aboriginal fact to say 
that the Xipnets inhabited, in this wa}', the present county of AYorccster, 
though sometimes their hunting-grounds were entered upon, in peace or war, 
by the Massachusetts, Wampanoags and Narragansetts on the cast and south- 
cast, and by the Pcquods and Mohegans on the south. An old map nudvcs the 
Nipmuck region extend beyond the Connecticut, on the west, and northward 
into New Hampshire. 

Section 2. The I^unibei- of the Natives. — Their number was not large. 
According to the most accurate historians, the Indians in Massachusetts, in 
the first age of English settlement, did not exceed ten thousand. As they 
were comparatively numerous on the sea-coast and in the valley of the Connect- 
icut, they must have been thinly scattered over the rest of the surface of the 
Colony. There is no proof that any settlement within the limits of this county 
contained many wigwams. There were Indians in ^Marlborough, and probably 
in that part of the original town which is now divided into Soutliborougii, AV'est- 
borougli anil Northborough, all of which are in Worcester County. There were 
settlements .'ilso in Sutton, or that part of it which is now Grafton, in Uxbridge, 
Douglas, Dudley', Oxford, Worcester, and Lancaster, including Sterling. 
Besides these, there were Nipnets in Woodstock, then in<-luded in this county. 
Perhaps there was a permanent settlement or centre at Quaboag [llrooklieUl] , 
and in other localities. The natives had many places of temporary sojourn. 



INDIAN CHURCHES. 9 



as in rich valleys, for planting ; by good fishing places, in the season of shad 
and salmon, when those fish came up the Nashua ; and all over the woods in 
the seasons of hunting, snaring and trapping wild game. They were accus- 
tomed also to visit the mineral springs for the sake of health when their 
simples failed of efi'ecting a cure. The iron spring in Winchendon, which 
gives the name to Spring Village, was a frequent resort of the natives. 
Doubtless other springs were familiar to them i.s fountains of health. 

These people, whether few or many, welcomed our fathers to their wild, 
sylvan solitudes, and lived in peace with them till the outbreak of King 
Philip's war iu 1675. The magic influence of that chieftain seduced htuidreds 
of weaker men to their undoing and the destruction of their tribe. It is a 
matter of history that the first English settlement in the limits of the county 
was made at the instance of Sholan, the chief of the Indians living at Wcsha- 
kim, as "Washakum was written in former times. They were sometimes styled 
"the Wcshakim." Their realm extended down the Nashua valley, and one of 
their names was the Nashaways or Nashawogs. The "Indian Camp Pasture," 
on the south-east declivity of George Hill, is probably the site of an ancient 
Indian gathering place, and there Mr. Thomas King, a trader of Watertown, 
by invitation of Sholan, built a "trucking house," and opened a store. In a 
year or two the business was bought out by John Pxescott, and the store was 
opened in South Lancaster. This was a convenience to the natives and the 
English, and served to bind them together in good neighborhood. 

Section 3. Purchase of the Lands. — In all cases, so far as is known, the 
settlers bought lands of the sagamores or chiefs at a fair valuation, or paid more 
than they were worth to exchange among themselves. A hundred acres of 
wild land in an uninhabited forest was hardly worth the having. But another 
capital fact must be always remembered, which was this : the Indians retained 
the right to hunt, fish, and plant, ad libitum. It was also within their power, 
as new settlers came iu, to reserve all the lands which they cared to possess. 

There has Ijeen much ink foolishly wasted by ignorant writers in blaming the 
early settlers of this country for cheating the Indians out of their lands ; but 
no one who has read our history aright, will join in this censure. There is an 
old story still afloat to the eflect that one of the early Iloughtons bought of an 
Indian chief a largo tract of land for a mere trifle. Investigation would prob- 
ably show, first, that the Indian had no title, the land having been previously 
bought of Sholan ; and secondl}', that Mr. Houghton gave the Indian claimant 
more than the land was worth to him. Our fathers held their land l)y a double 
title : first, purchase of the natives ; and second, a grant by the general court. 
The latter adjudicated rightfully, at least in disputed cases. 

Section 4. The Christian Indians. — A brief account of the settlements 
formed by the converted Indians finds a place here, as these organizations rose 
and perished long l)efore the incorporation of "Worcester County. 



10 COUNTY HISTORY. 



The iiuiuos of tlic seven Christitin communities in the Xipuet couiitry (omit- 
ting tiic three in Woodstock) were, according to Gookin, as t'cdiows : 1, 
Ilassananiisset or Ilassauamisco ("a phicc of small stones"), in Grafton; 2, 
J.Ianchoag in Oxford; 3, Chabanakongkamon, or Chauhunagungamniig, in 
Dudley ; 4, Pakachoag in Worcester and Auburn ; 5, Waentug in Uxbridgc ; 
6, Wcshakim in Lancaster ; and 7, Qnaboag in Brookfield. According to Eliot, 
Jsipmuk or Nipnet was a "great country lying between Conactacot and 
the Massachusetts, called Nipnet, where there be many Indians dispersed." 
These were the Indians out of whom the Christian settlements were gathered, 
of whom Eliot was the missionary and apostle, and Gookin was the superin- 
tendent, by appointment of the general court, with the general and cordial 
concurrence of the natives. They regarded both Eliot and Gookin with respect 
and veneration, and ever retained confidence in them as unfailing friends. 

The Indians at Ilassanamisco numbered about sixty souls, gathered into 
twelve families. The tract was four miles square. A church was formed in 
1G71, Avith si.xteen members, men, women, and children, and about thirty 
baptized persons. The church had a pastor, ruling elder, and deacon, in imi- 
tation of the English churches. The pastor's cacophonous name was Tackup- 
l)owillun, and the cider's name was Piombow. At Manchoag or j\I;nic]iagc 
[Oxford,] there were twelve families and si.xty souls. The church was formed 
in 1(!7;!. The name of the pastor was Waabcsktamin. The settlement at 
Chabanakongkamon, or Dudley, contained nine i'amilics and forty-live souls, 
who manifested a deeper interest in the worship of God "than any of the new 
l)raying towns. Their teacher, named Joseph, was "sober, pious, and inge- 
nious." In the Pakachoag community, between "Worcester and Auburn, were 
twenty families and one hundred persons, in round numbers. The seat of 
this people was on a fertile hill, and was named from a "delicate spring of 
water." The name of the sagamore was John, or Ilorowaninit. Mr. Eliot 
preached to them, as to the other settlements, in his circuit. Gookin held a 
court here in 1G73, when his chief assistant was Wattasacapamun, a ruler of 
the Nipnmcks. He was of the blood royal. John and Solomon were rulers of 
co-ordinate power. James Spere, a man of good parts and pious, was the 
minister. He preached two years. At this time — 1673 — Matoonus, a 
native of Pakachoag, was chosen a constal)lc by the Indians, confirmed by the 
court held by Gookin. He was a "a grave and solier Indian." 

At tins court held by Gookin and his assistants at Pakachoag, it was agreed 
to send a "grave and pious Indian there present, called Jcthro, of Natick, to be a 
teacher unto a people living al^out ten miles more to the northward, at a place 
called Weshakim, alias Nashaway, near unto an English town called Lancaster. 
Tiieso have been a great people in former times ; but of late years have been 
consumed l)y the Maquas wars, and other ways, and are not above fifteen or 
sixteen families." This was about thirty years after the pioneers of Lancaster 
entered on the scene, at which time the Indians were more numerous. The 



INDIAN POLICE. 11 

reader will be pleased to notice the letter which Gookiu sent fioin Pakachoag 
to the Wcshakiius or Nashaways, about three years before the massacre : — 

" To the Sagamore Shoshanim (Sholan) and the Indian people that live with him at 
Weshakim : Grace, mercy and peace be multiplied. 
" Whereas, the honorable general court of the Massachusetts hath appointed and 
authorized me to rule and govern the Indians within this jurisdiction ; and in a special 
manner to endeavor the promoting of religion and civility among them, I have thought 
it expedient, with the concurrence of Mr. John Eliot, principal teacher unto the Indians, 
and approbation of several of the rulers and teachers belonging to the churches of Na- 
tick and Ilassanamesitt, to send unto you Jethro, a man approved in the church of 
Natick, to be a minister and teacher among j-ou, and to instruct you in the good knowl- 
edge of the Lord God, and in the Gospel of his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. We pray 
you, therefore, to receive him in the Lord, and yield ready obedience to the word of 
the Lord dispensed by him. And in a special manner we exhort you to keep the Sab- 
bath carefully, aud abstain from drunkenness, whoredom and powowing, and all other 
evils. In ready compliance herewith you will promote your own temporal and eternal 
happiness. So committing you to the Lord, and the word of his grace, praying for a 
blessing on the means, for God's glory and j-our good, I remain your loving and affec- 
tionate friend for promoting your everlasting welfare. Daniel Gookin." 

But it was not enough to send a religious teacher; he was to be accompanied 
or supported by a man in civil authority. How this was secured is set forth 
in the following statement, in Gookin's relation: "After this business was 
over, — that is, the regulation of affairs at Pakachoag and the appointment of 
a minister for Weshakim, — it being night before we had finished the court, 
there was an Indian present which had come into the wigwam about an hour 
before. He was belonging to Weshakim or Nashaway. This Indian desired 
lilierty to speak; which being admitted, he made a speech with much aflection 
and gravity, to this effect : to declare that he belonged to Weshakim near 
Nashaway ; and that he was desirously willing, as well as some others of his 
Ijcople, to pray to God ; but that there were sundry of that people very wicked, 
and much addicted to drunkenness, and thcrcljy many disorders were conmiitted 
among them. And therefore ho earnestly importuned me that I would put 
forth power to help in that case to suppress the sin of drunkenness. When I 
asked him whether he would take upon him the office of a constable, and I 
would give him power to apprehend drunkards, aud take away their strong 
driidv from them, and bring the delinquents before me to receive punishment, 
his answer was that he would first speak with his friends ; aud if they chose 
him, and strengthened his hand in the work, then he would come to me for a 
black stafl" and power. I asked him whether he were willing to have Jethro go 
and speak to them, to which he readily complied, and seemed joyful thereat. 
After discourse we concluded with singing a psalm and prayer, and so retired 
to rest." 



12 COUXTY HISTORY. 



This was aliout twenty years after the incorporation of Lancaster, and before 
any other town was settled in the region. Eliot and others began to laljor 
among the Indians in the lower towns man}' years preceding this date, and had 
probably preached already within the limits of AVoreester Count}", inasmuch as 
the Indians were now collected into several settlements as Christian couvei'ts, 
with a church and a civil organization. 

In this noble and beuetieent work, Eliot and Gookin worked like brothers. 
Both stood high in their respective walks in life. Eliot was the respected 
pastor of the church in Eoxbury. lie was a graduate of Cambridge Univer- 
sity, England, and a superior scholar as well as preacher. Besides attending 
faithfully to his own flock, he became the "apostle to the Indians," seeking 
first their spiritual elevation, but looking after their prosperity in all their 
waj's of life. Gookin was a man of sense and energy. He was not a dreamy, 
unpractical philanthropist, but had a keen sense of Avhat was best for the wild 
wards put under his government by the general couz't. For a term of years 
he was the senior military officer in the colony, ranking as major-general. 
The Indians never had better friends than these two men, and they soon had 
sore need of them. It appears from the foregoing narrative that Gookin and 
Eliot had perfected their plans for the government and instruction of the 
natives of this county in 1G73 ; and there Avas a, prospect that these wild deni- 
zens of the woods would become peaceable and industrious cultivators of the 
soil, with homes, schools, and churches. jNIan}' became converts to the 
Christian religion, and many more placed themselves and their children under 
Christian infiueuces. They had already abandoned heathen rites, and had 
learned to pray to God, and praise the Most High in sacred psalmody. Their 
two friends rejoiced in what had been already eflected, and looked forward to 
brighter results. But a dark spirit was abroad, moving stealthily among the 
tribes, and involving the converts in a common cflbrt and a similar ruin. 
Philip of Pokanoket, sou of Massasoit, and great chief of the Wampauoags, 
was already laying his plans and weaving his plots by which the Indians under 
his direct control or indirect influence were soon roused to action, and hurried 
on to their destruction. 

Section 5. Indian Wars in Worcester County. — The story of Philip con- 
cerns us at present, only so far as he operated within the limits of the count3^ 
He commenced hostilities near his own home at Mount Hope by an attack on 
Swansey in June, 1G7 j. Already the towns of Medfield, Sudbury, Marlborough, 
Groton, and Lancaster had been marked for destruction, and in a iavr months 
the fell design had been put in execution. Brookfield was the second town 
within AVorcester limits to feel the I)low. This town was incorporated in 
1()73, and in less than two years, when there were about twenty families, it 
was utterl}' destroyed. Philip had already drawn a part of the Nipnet tribe 
into his scheme, as is supposed, because they had killed, in July, four or five 
people at Mendou. The governor and council, in order to prevent the spread 



INDIAN OUTRAGES. 13 



of a hostile feeling among the tribe, sent messengers to BrookficUl, where 
there was to he a great gathering of the natives, with several sachems. Capt. 
Thomas Wheeler, of Concord, with a company of about twenty of the mini 
under his command, was ordered on this service, having Capt. Edward Hutch- 
inson as a colleague. They arrived on Sunday, August 1, old style, and sent 
a message to the Indians with overtures towards a treaty. Three of the chief 
sachems promised to meet them the next morning near the head of Wickaboag 
Pond, some distance west of the meeting-house in what is now West Brouk- 
field. The officers with their men and several prominent inhal)itants went to 
the place of rendezvous at the time appointed, hut the sachems did not appear. 
They then returned on their journey four or five miles towards the Nipnets' 
chief town, in search of the Indians. While in a close defile, between a 
steep hill and a narrow swamp, the English were ambuscaded by a party of two 
or three hundred Indians, when eight men were killed and five wei'e wounded. 
Capts. Wheeler and Hutchinson were among the wounded ; the latter mortall}^ 
though he was carried while yet alive to a fortified house. The survivors 
escaped by a b}'-path to Brookfield, and took refuge in a house where all the 
people had assembled for safety. While thus shut up they saw, in helpless 
agony, their homes, outhouses, and farms in flames. 

In an hour after reaching the house, the officers sent two men, Ephraira 
Curtiss of Sudbury, and Henry Young of Concord, to Boston, to carry the 
evil tidings, and implore needed succor. They made the daring attempt, but 
were unable to get through the cordon of Indians. In about an hour, Curtiss 
made another unsuccessful attempt. But with true pluck he started again to- 
wards morning, and managed to elude the enemy. He reached Concord, after 
a hard and dangerous march, though much spent and worn Iw travel, exposure, 
and hunger. Resting, he revived, and hastened to Boston. In the meantime 
the Indians endeavored to set the garrison-house on fire. These attacks were 
kept up the two succeeding days and nights without success, when Major Wil- 
lard arrived with forty-six men, and raised the siege. 

While Major Willard (a former resident of Lancaster, but then living at 
Nonacoicut, or Ayer) was on this expedition, an attack was made upon Lan- 
caster, August 22, old style, when eight persons were killed in different parts 
of the town. The design of the enemy in attacking these outposts of the 
English was, doubtless, to break them up, and thus clear a wide extent of 
country for their hunting-grounds. They could hardly have hoped to destroy 
the towns near the coast. The raid on Lancaster was mai'ked by violence and 
murder; but the place, unlike Brookfield, was not destroyed. Sonic fifty 
families still remained, the larger part of them within a mile of the meeting- 
house. 

On the first of September, Lieut. Phinehas Upham, of Worcester, was sent 
with a hundred men into the Nipnet country to destroy planting-fields and 
burn wigwams, in order to distress the Indians in the coming winter. Gookin 



14 COUNTY HISTORY. 



says that this company attat'lvcd the villages of praying Indians only. The 
white people had Ijcgun to lose confidence in the praying Indians. It is due 
to truth to say, also, that many of the whites felt no interest in the converted 
uatives, and did nothing to second the praiseworthy efforts of Eliot and Gookin 
for their elevation. 

In November, the good Indians of Ilassanamisco were captured l)y the hos- 
tile natives in league with Philip. Wattasacompaniira, the chief, having heeu 
seduced by Philip, broke faith with the English and the Christian Indians, and 
drew most of the tribe after him. This effect Mas produced in almost every 
place where Philip appeared iu person. There are some in our day who doubt 
Philip's courage. According to them,, he had a most unwarlikc aversion to 
scenes of personal danger. But none can deny his wonderful address and 
power of persuasion. His success at Grafton was of a- piece with the policy 
which bound many tribes, spread over a wide reach of country in a temporary 
confedcracj'. 

As soon as the council heard of this outrage, they sent Capt. Ilpnchman and 
Capt. Sill to range the countiy. At Ilassanamisco they rescued some captives 
and then marched to Pakachoag [Worcester] , where they found corn in abun- 
dance. The Indians concealed themselves, prudently avoiding the swords of 
such bold riders as Henchman and Sill. A cold and wet night came on, and the 
soldiers lodged in two deserted wigwams. In the morning they vainly searched 
for the enemy who lurked in the woods and swamps. They found, however, 
one hundred bushels of gathered corn, and il large quantity still standing in 
fields. Shortly after the party left the place, on their return to Grafton, the 
captain had occasion to send back a few of his men iu search of a missing 
article, Mhen Indians were found in and around the wigwams. It seemed as if 
they had sprung up from the earth. 

During the winter of 1675-G a large number of Indians gathered around 
Wacluisctt. -Besides the native capital at Weshakim, they bad a station nearer 
the eastern part of "Wachusett, not far from the border of Sterling and Prince- 
ton. The old sagamore of the N:ishaways, and his son, both friends of the 
English, were dead. The new sachem, Matthew, or Sagamore Sam, a nephew 
of Sholan, was of a different stamp, and became an easy dupe of the chief of 
Pokanoket. In his wigwam, between the Weshakim lakes, the plan was laid 
for tiie utter destruction of Lancaster, in the winter of 1G76. Philip was 
among them early in the yenv, and while the whites were feeling secure in the 
notion that the natives had retired to winter quarters, the latter were preparing 
for a terrible campaign while yet the winter lingered. 

At length, by the tenth of February, Ifw.j (old style), and the twenty- first 
lfi7() (new style), a force of fifteen hundred men had been collected from 
near and far by Philip for the purpose of making a perpetual desolation of the 
beautiful settlement at the "meeting of the waters," or Lancaster. The minute 
description of the attack, the massacre, and the burning, the torture, and 



IIENCHMAN AND SILL. 15 



the captivity, belongs to tlic history of tlie town. Suffice it to say here, that 
the attacliing force was divided into live parties, one of which is generally sup- 
posed to have been led by Philip. They fell, in the early morning, upon five 
difiereut garrisons, and probalily killed some persons in or near each one of 
them. But the main attack was upon the garrison house of Ilev. Joseph 
Rowlandson, the minister of the place, who was absent in Boston, with two 
bro;hers-in-law, whither they had gone soliciting aid in apprehension of impend- 
ing danger. The peril came sooner than they expected ; and before they re- 
turned the whole settlement was a ruin. Many had been slain, many had been 
carried captive, many had fled; and llic remnant who remained were shut up 
in two houses, one in Centre and the other in South Lancaster, not daring to go 
out lest the bullet of a concealed Indian should lay them low. Half the houses 
were burned. As soon as the General Court had sent soldiers and teams to 
remove the trembling people, imprisoned in their garrisons, the Indiana came 
from their lairs, and set fire to every remaining dwelling but one, and the meet- 
ing-house. Death reigned. A smoky canopy hung like a funeral pall over the 
lovely valley, still beautiful in its desolation. 

In April, May and June, 167(1, soldiers, both infantry and cavalry, traversed 
the country in search of the enemy. They crossed this county, near the centre, 
going west and east. Some marched as far as the Connecticut River. It was 
supposed, at one time, that Philip was at Quaboag, and at another at Pakachoag, 
but if so, he left before the arrival of the troops. During this season of march- 
ing and counter-marching, an attack was made on a party at Weshakim. 
"White man or converted Indian was the same to Philip, unless he had a peculiar 
hatred to a countryman who owned the Christian's God. 

Henchman made a report , dated at Marlborough, June 30, which gives a glimpse 
of men and things in those old days. He ordared a party, under comm.ind of 
Capt. Joseph Sill, "with sixteen files of soldiers, all my troop, and the Indians, 
excepting one file, being all we could make provision for." The bread which 
had been promised, fell short in quantity and proved to be mouldy, so that the 
rest of the men had but one biscuit per man. This party (Capt. Sill's) was 
" ordered towards Wachusett, and so to Nashaway and the Weshakim ponds, 
and so to return to this place." 

By this war, the Nipnets or Nipmueks, who had been seduced l)y Philip, were 
involved in his ruin. Many were killed in war, or died of hardships induced 
by war. Some, who were taken prisoners, were executed as murderers or sold 
into slavery, as men who could not be trusted to keep faith with the colonists. 
In general, they deserved their fate, according to the laws of war, because they 
had broken away from their engagements, treacherously rising up against those 
with whom they had been living in peace and amity. Without declaring war 
or giving note or warning, they came out of the forests, and fell upon houses 
and settlements from which no injury or provocation had proceeded. To-day 
they visited the whites iu the guise of friends. Before the dawn of another 



16 COUNTY mSTORY. 



day, thoy came with torch, tomahinvk and gun, to kill, burn and destroy. 
There is no doiiht that Philips scheme embraced the complete extermination of 
the white settlements, as he exerted himself to rouse the jealousy and hatred 
of all the Indians in New England. It is the belief of some that he went to Can- 
ada in the early part of the winter of 1G75, to engage the cfj-opcration of the 
French and Indians in the fell work of annihilating the English, and preserving 
the country for his race. Disdaining to accept the religion and civilization of the 
■white man, resolving not to coalesce M'ith him, or live in amity with him. the 
Indian put everything to hazard, and lost all. The fittest survived; and now 
the land is filled with millions of civilized people in place of a few wandering 
savages. 

However, wc cannot read the story of Indian extinction or expulsion without 
a feeling of sadness. The conviction that they brought their doom upon them- 
selves, reveals the depth of their barbarism, and excites regret that they could 
not be reclaimed. But the fate of the Christian Indians was peculiarly sad. 
Some were easily led away by their heathen friends ; others were, in a meas- 
ure, compelled to join the war against the colonists on pain of violence and 
death. One said in excuse of his apostacy from religion, and violation of h"s 
engagements to the Colony, that he held firm until the day when Philip came 
toa meeting of the tribe, when the influence of that chieftain was such as to 
carry all before him. Death was pronounced against those who would not join 
in the war of extermination. 

P.ut there wore many in the Christian settlements who clung to their religion, 
and adhered to their English friends, under the most violent temptations to 
break faith, who, nevertheless, were distrusted by the colonists, and treated 
as enemies. Even Gookin, their friend, though a man of character and repu- 
tation, was in dar.ger of being stoned in the street, l)ecause he took their part, 
and labored for their protection. Even the saintly Eliot became odious to 
some, because of his zeal for the welfare of his dusky brethren. Looking at 
this side of the historic picture, we arc incited to condemn our forefathers for 
cruelly. Hut when we remember that they often met in battle men whom they 
had trusted and kindly entreated as converts ; when wc bring before us the 
false Indian who had been welcomed to the settler's house, coming by night 
with the bloodthirsty heathen, and smiting the tomahawk into the skull of 
wife or child, can we wonder that a feeling of distrust and anger spread 
through the Colony? How deep this distrust was, may be seen in the "liemi- 
niscences of jMrs. Rowlandson," that w^onderful little book, of which Edward 
Everett said : "It is almost enough to make one faint to read the simple nar- 
rative." 

Tlie power of the Xipnets was broken in King Philip's war, and the sur- 
vivors left the region, some going to the East, -and some to the West, except 
a few who were allowed to inhabit tiieir old haunts, and hunt in their ancestral 
woods. A small number, called by "Whitney the "Pegan tribe," lived iu 



EAIDS CONTINUED. 17 



Dudley. TIio old meeting-house in that town was on the summit of a hill, 
whore the tribe gave four acres of land for a site, "on condition that all of 
their tribe, who should ever inhabit the town, should have the right to con- 
venient seats in the meeting-house on days of public worship." As late as 
1790 there were about a dozen of tliis tril)o left, who owned some two hundred 
acres of good land near the centre of the town. They were cared for by a 
committee of the General Court. 

One result of Philip's war was the opening of this whole region to the occu- 
pation of the M'hite man ; but this settlement was impeded by raids of Indians 
from distant places, under the inspiration and leadership of the French, who 
did not abandon the policy of conquering New England until the battle of 
Quebec extinguished their hopes, and secured, in its consequences, North 
America to the English-speaking race. 

There was fighting in the limits of this county for a period of forty years 
after the peace of 1676 ; but as the particulars of the various local attacks and 
combats will be found in the history of the towns where they occurred, it will 
not be necessary in this place to do more tlian refer to the facts in the order of 
time. 

In 1692, July 18, the Indians killed the wife and three children of Teter 
Joslin, and the widow Whitcomb residing in his family, in Lancaster. This 
was, perhaps, the first attack in this county, in King William's war. Not far 
from the same time, a raid was made upon the French Huguenots in Oxford. 
They were settled in 1686-7 in the east part of the town, but in a few years 
they were distressed and driven away by the Indians, who killed a man and one 
or two of his children, while his wife, with a child in her arms, escaped and 
went on foot, by night, nearly fifteen miles to Woodstock, where she found 
refuge in a garrison. This town was molested in after years, but no death was 
the result unless that of one of the assailants, who was shot by a lone w^oman, 
when he, with three others, was breaking into her house. The Indians I'etreated 
carrying their dead or wounded comrade. In 1692 a number of men, women 
and children, in Brookticld, were killed; others wounded, and others still 
carried away captive. 

Lancaster was visited again in 1695, when one man was mortally wounded ; 
and again in 1697, September 11, at which time they killed twenty men, women 
and children, wounded two persons, and carried six into captivity. One of 
the killed was the minister. Rev. John Whiting, who was scalped. 

In the previous year, 1696, the Indians making hostile manifestations, in 
Woodstock, Major Fitch of Norwich, Conn., with a company of twelve soldiers 
and thirty-eight Norwich, jNIohegan and Nipnct Indians, marched to the scene 
and continued through Oxford and Worcester to Lancaster, Avhcnee he sent a 
report, dated August 31, to Lt. Gov. Stoughton, commander-in-chief. 

In the course of Queen Anne's war, the town of Brookfield suffered terribly. 

8 



18 COUNTY HISTORY. 



A number of the iububitauts were killed and scalped, and others were captured. 
In the year 1710, six men were waylaid and shot. 

AVorccster was the scene of Indian hostilities in 1702, when Dicker}' or 
Diggory Sargent was killed. It seems that this man persisted in living on his 
farm though all the other settlers had left, and Worcester, was broken up, 
about the time that a section of Lancaster was burnt. Sargent, as said above, 
clung to his place when Worcester was abandoned. A party of soldiers was 
sent to remove him and his family to a place of safety. They stayed, through a 
night dark with storm and snow, about two miles from Sargent's house. In 
the morning they found him on the floor of his house, dead and weltering in 
his blood. The Indians had just killed him, and had taken awa}' his wife and 
five children. The mother, faltering with fatigue and sulfcring, as she ascended 
a hill, in the west part of the town, was killed. It was in this wise : a chief 
stepped out of the file and appeared to be looking off into the fields or woods, 
in search of game. Just as I\Irs. Sargent had passed him, unsuspecting, ho 
suddenly whirled and with one blow smote her dead. 

In July, 1704, a party of French and Indians killed several persons in Lan- 
caster, and burnt several buildings, including the second meeting-house. Other 
attacks followed, and the town had no settled peace until 1710. Sterling, 
then belonging to Lancaster, was, in 1709, the scene of a fierce battle, when 
nine Indians were slain. The place has since been known as The Indian Fight. 

The town of Rutland, lying farther west, was more exposed to Indian attacks 
in King George's war, than the settlements on the eastern border. As late as 
1723 two sons of Deacon Joseph Stevens were killed, and two carried prisoners 
to Canada. On the same day, August 14, the Rav. Joseph Willard, after a 
brave defence, was slain by four of the enemy. A year later, three persons 
were killed, one was wounded, and another was made prisoner. For other 
incidents of Indian warfare in Worcester County, which arc exceedingly inter- 
esting, the reader must consult the histories of the several towns in which they 
occurred. 



CHAPTER IV. 

INCORPOKATION. 

TnE county of Worcester was "erected, granted, and made" by an act of 
the General Court, dated April 2, 1731. Jonathan Belcher was the royal 
governor at the time, and the tradition is that he did not encourage the meas- 
ure, though he put his signature to the act of incorporation. Thomas Hutch- 
inson, afterwards governor, was a member of the General Court, and he is 
eaid, according to Whitney, to have "strenuously opposed" the formation of 



GRANT OF THE COUNTY. 19 



a iR-w county, "urging tlic utter iiuiiracticability of its over uiiikiiiir :iny 
fio-uro." As the territory whiuli was iucliulod in the new county was, with tlie 
exception of a few valleys, the "hill country" in the centre of the State, from 
New Hampshire to Connecticut, they did not believe that it would be attractive 
to set tli'rs. Their evil prognostications were speedily disproved. By the year 
17110, the polls of the county exceeded those of Sufiblk, Essex, or Middle- 
sex. Only one county had a greater number. Hampshire County, which then 
included Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden counties, numbered 13,912 ; 
while Worcester County had 13,762. The valuation of Worcester County 
exceeded that of all Hampshire, was greater than that of Middlesex, nearly 
eqiialled that of Essex, and was more than three-quarters of that of Suffolk. 
The act of incorporation was in the foUowing words : — 

"An act for erecting, granting, and making a county in the inland part of this 
province, to be called the County of Worcester, and for establishing Courts of Justice 
within the same. 

" Be it enacted by his Excellency the Governor, Council, and Representatives in 
General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That the towns and places 
hereafter named and expressed, that is to say, Worcester, Lancaster, Westborough, 
.Shrewsbury, Southborougli, Leicester, Rutland, and Lunenburgh, all in the county of 
Middlesex ; Mendon, Woodstock, Oxford, Sutton, including Ilassanamisco, Uxbridge, 
and the land lately granted to several petitioners of Medfleld, all in the county of 
Suffolk ; Brookfield, in the county of Hampshire, and the south town laid out to the 
Narragansot soldiers ; and all other lauds lying within the said townships, with the 
inhabitants thereon, shall, from and after the tenth day of July, which will be in the 
year of oin: Lord one thousand seven hundred and thirty-one, be and remain one entire 
and distinct county, by the name of Worcester, of which Worcester to be the county or 
shire town. And the said county to have, use, and enjoy all such powers, privileges, 
and immunities as by law other counties within the province have and do enjoy. 

" And be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, that there shall bo held and kept 
within the said county of Worcester, yearly and in every year, at the times and place 
in this act hereafter expressed, a Court of General Sessions of the Peace, and an 
Inferior Court of Common Tleas, to sit at Worcester, on the second Tuesdays of May 
and August, and the first Tuesdays of November and February, yearly and in every 
year, until this Court shall otherwise order : Also, that there shall be hold and kept at 
Worcester, within the said county of Worcester, yearly and in every year, until this 
Court shall otherwise order, a Superior Court of Judicature, Court of Assize and Gen- 
eral Gaol Delivery, to sit on the Wednesday immediately preceding the time by law 
appointed for the holding the said Superior Court of Judicature, Court of Assize and 
General Gaol Dehvery, at Springfield, within and for the county^ of Hampshire : And 
the Justices of the said Court of General Sessions of the Peace, Inferior Court of 
Common Pleas, and Superior Court of Judicature, Court of Assize and General Gaol 
Delivery, respeetivelj', who arc, or shall be, thereunto lawfullj- commissioned and 
appointed, shall have, hold, use, exercise, and enjoy, all and singular, the powers 
which are by law given and granted unto them, within any other counties of the prov- 
mce, where a Court of General Sessions of the Peace, Inferior Court of Common 



20 COUNTY HISTORY. 



Pleas, and Superior Court of Juilicatiire, Court of Assize and General Gaol Delivery 
are alreadj- established. 

'Trovided, That all writs, suits, plaints, processes, appeals, reviews, recognizances, 
or any other matters or things which now are, or any time before the said tenth of July, 
shall be depending before the Judges of Probate within part of the said county of 
Worcester, shall be heard, tried, proceeded upon, and determined in the counties of 
Suffolk, Middlesex, and Hampshire, respectively, where the same arc or shall be 
returnable or depending, and have, or shall have, d.ay or days. 

" Provided, also. That nothing in this act contained shall be construed to disannul, 
defeat, or make void any deeds or conveyances of lands, lying in the said county of 
Worcester, where the same are or shall be, before the said tenth of July, recorded 
in the Rcf^ister's ofTice of the respective counties where such lands do now lie ; but that 
all such deeds or conveyances so recorded shall be held good and valid as they woul<l 
have been had not this act been made. 

" And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid. That the Justices of the 
Court of General Sessions of the Peace, at their lirst meeting in the said county of 
Worcester, shall have full power and authority to appoint some meet person, within 
the said county of Worcester, to be Register of deeds and conveyances within the 
same, who shall be sworn to the faithful discharge of his trust in the said office, and 
shall continue to hold and exercise the same, according to the directions of the law, 
until some person be elected by the freeholders of the said county of Worcester, who 
are hereby empowered to choose such person, on the first Thursday of September next 
ensuing, by the methods in the law already prescribed, to take upon him that trust. 
And until such Register shall be so appointed by the said justices, and sworn, all deeds 
and conveyances of lands lying wiihin any part of the county of Worcester, which 
shall be recorded in the Register's office of the respective counties where such lands do 
now lie, shall be held and deemed good and valid, to all intents and purposes, as to 
the recording thereof. 

" And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That the methods, direc- 
tions, and proceedings by law provided as well for the electing and choosing a Regis- 
ter of deeds and conveyances as a county Treasurer, which officers shall be appointed 
in the same manner as is by law already provided, on the first Thursday of September 
next, and also for the bringing forward and trying any actions, causes, pleas, or suits, 
both civil and criminal, in the several counties of this province, and Courts of Judica- 
ture within the same, and choosing of Jurors to serve at the Courts of Justice, shall 
attend and be attended, observed and put in practice wiihin the said county of Worces- 
ter, and by the Courts of Justices within the same : Any law, usage, or custom to the 
coutrar}', notwithstanding. 

" Provided alw.ays. That the inhabitants of the several towns and places hereinbe- 
fore enumerated and set off a distinct county, shall pay their proportion to any county 
rates or taxes already made and granted, in the saraa manner as they would have dona 
had not this act been made." 

By the above, it appears that the new county comprised thirteen organized 
towns, besides grants and unsettled territory. The first eight towns wore 
Worcester, Lancaster, Wostborongh, Shrewsbury, Southborougii, Leicester, 
Rutland and Lunenburg. These were taken from Middlesex County. The next 



ORIGIN OF TOWNS. 21 



five; viz., Mendon, Woodstock, O.xford, Suttou iiiid Uxbridge, were taken 
from Suffolk County, and Brookficld was taken from Ilampsbirc. Ilassana- 
misco was reserved for the Indians when the town of Sutton was granted. This 
became Grafton in 1735. The "huid hitely granted to several petitioners of 
Medfieid," was settled by Mcdfield people, and hence was styled New Medlield 
until the town of Stnrhridgc was incorporated in 1738. The "south town laid 
out (o the Narraganset soldiers," became Westminster when the town was in- 
corporated in 1759. Woodstock was then considered as belonging to Massa- 
chusetts, but the inhabitants chose to be under the jurisdiction of Connecticut. 
There was a long controversy about the matter, which is related in the old 
books, but is not now of general interest. It is enough to say that from the 
year 1713, Woodstock, together with Enfield and SulHeld, paid taxes to Mas- 
sachusetts, and were in our General Court until the year 1748, when they revolted 
and were received into the colony of Connecticut. Massachusetts held to her 
claim, though the towns paid no taxes, and ceased to send delegates to our 
General Court, down to the Revolution. Since that event, by consent of all 
parties, Woodstock has ceased to bo a component part of Worcester County. 
From the time when the line was settled between Massachusetts and Connecti- 
cut, the boundaries of the county have been substantially as follows : On the 
north by New Ilamiishire ; on the east by Middlesex and Norfolk counties ; on 
the south by Rhode Island and Connecticut, and on the west by Franklin, 
Hampshire and Hampden counties. There have been slight alterations on the 
eastern and western boundaries to suit the convenience of the people in forming 
new towns. 



CHAPTER V. 



ORIGIN OF THE TOWNS. 



Under this head the genesis and growth of the county will be given in the 
order of settlement and incorporation. 

Lancaster antedates all the other towns in the county by several years. The 
settlement began in 1G43 ; the town was set off by acts passed in 1G53 and 
1654. The area of the town was ten miles by an average of seven in width, 
or seventy square miles, though the grant allowed more. In 1713, a tract ten 
miles long by four wide was annexed, making one hundred and ten square 
miles. The towns of Harvard, Bolton, Berlin, Leominster, Sterling and Clin- 
ton were almost wholly taken from Lancaster, which also gave a large section 
to the towns of Boylston and West Boylston. 

Mendon came next, though when first occupied by settlers is unknown. The 
act of incorporation was passed in 1G(37, May 15. The original grant was 



COUNTY mSTORY. 



eight miles square, but the boundaries as given in 1667 were irregular, and 
included more territory, as the whole of Uxbridge and a large part of North- 
bridge, Upton, Milford and all of Blackstone have been severed from its ample 
domain. Bellingham, in Norfolk County, was taken, in part, from Mendon. 

Ilrookficld was granted to petitioners in Ipswich, by the Genei'al Court iu 
1660. The grant was six miles square. The inhabitants were incorporated in 
1673, but a committee of three gentlemen, not residents, was appointed by ihe 
court to "direct, regulate and ratify all affairs relative to settling and building 
up the town." This arrangement continued till 1718, at which time the court 
enlarged the town to the size of eight miles square. From this town have 
been formed North and West Drookficld, and a part of other towns. 

Oxford was granted to Gov. Joseph Dudley and others in 1682, and, having 
been surveyed, the court authorized the plantation, next year, May 16. The 
grant Avas eight miles square, but the survey, as usual in those times, was very 
liberal, being about twelve miles long from cast to west, and nine miles wide. 
The sixty-four square miles granted, Merc enlarged to not far frouj one hun- 
dred square miles. 

Worcester was granted to Daniel Gookin and others in 1668, October 24, as 
a township of land somewhat more than eight miles square. Certain men were 
incorporated in 1684, but did not l)egin the settlement until the next year. 
The first town-meeting was held thirty-eight years later, on the last Wednesday 
of September, 1722. 

Sutton was purchased of John Wampus, sachem, and his company of In- 
dians, by several white men at an unknown date. The purchase was confirmed 
in 1704, and the township was formed in 171.'), June 21, by the General Court. 
Grafton, Upton, Northbridge and Millbury have drawn largely from its original 
area. 

Leicester was originated l)y a grant, February 10, 171o, to Col. Joshua 
Lamb and others. It was incorporated about 1721, and the first town-meeting 
was held on the sixth day of March in that year. The grant was eight miles 
stjuare. Spencer was wholly taken from this town, and also parts of Paxton 
and Auburn. 

Rutland was purchased, in 1686, December 22, of Joseph Trask, alias Pua- 
gastion, and other Indians, by Hemy Willard, Joseph Kowlandson and others 
of Lancaster. The purchase was twelve miles square. The title was (■on- 
firmed by the General Court, in 1713, February 23, when the name of Iv\it- 
land was substituted for Naquag. 

Westborough was the western section of TVIarlborough, and was cut off, by 
act of the General Court, in 1717, November 18. It had been partially set- 
tled many years l)efore. 

Uxbridge was separated from Mendon by tlie General Court, on tiie twenty- 
seventh of June, 1727. It was about twelve miles long until the northern part 
was cut off, in 1772, and incor^jorated as Northbridge. . 



DATE OF TOWNS. 23 



Southborough was settled wliilo ti part of INIarlhorough, but was not incor- 
porated till the 3"ear 1727, on the sixteenth of July. 

8hre\vsl)Uiy was granted to petitioners residing in jNIarlborough, and a few 
others, in 1717, and was about fifteen miles long, north and south, and nearly 
an average of four miles wide. The town was incorporated December 19, 

1727. The north part of the township was formed iuto the town of Boylston. 
Lunenburg, the thirteenth town, in the order of date (Woodstock being 

omitted), was probably entered upon by white settlers as early as the year 
1700. The General Court, November 14, 1719, made a grant of the territory 
to a number of gentlemen, but the town was not incorporated till August 1, 

1728, when it was named in honor of George II., Duke of Lunenburg, who 
came to the British throne in 1727. 

This completes the list of the towns which were incorporated l)cfore the es- 
tablishment of Worcester County. Their dates are all according to the old 
style, or eleven da^'s earlier than the present date. 

Dudley was the lirst town incorporated after the county was erected. A 
careless reader would date its origin as earlier than that of the county. For 
example, AVhitney dates the town as follows : "February 2, 1731." and the 
county: "April 1, 1731," or two months later than the origin of the town. 
But he follows old style, when the year began in March. Therefore, April 1, 
1731, preceded February 2, 1731. In new style we should read April 12, 

1731, and February 13, 1732. The grant was originally to Paul and William 
Dudley, and comprised the present towns of Douglas, Webster, Dudley, 
Southbridgc and Sturbridge. 

Harvard was taken from Lancaster, hy act of the General Court, June 29, 

1732, when it contained about tifty families. Part of its area was taken from 
Stow and Groton. 

Grafton, called by the Indians Hassanamisco, was incorpoi-atcd April 18, 
1735. It was originally four miles square, but it was enlarged, in the course 
of time, by the addition of a strip half a mile wide, on the north, taken from 
Shrcwsl)ni-y, and about as much from Sutton, on the south. 

Upton was not an original grant, l)ut was made up from tracts taken from 
Mendon, Sutton and Ilopkinton. The legislature granted an act of incorpora- 
tion, June 14, 1735. 

Ilardwick Avas purchased of two noted Indians, in 168G, by Joshua Lamb 
and others of Roxbury. It went by the name of Lambstown for many years. 
The heirs of the purchasers, in answer to a petition, obtained a grant in 1732. 
Six years later, January 10, 1738, the town was incorporated with the present 
name, in honor of a distinguished English nobleman. 

Bolton (including much of Berlin, and some of other towns) was taken 
from Lancaster, and incorporated June 24, 1738. 

Sturbridge, incorporated June 24, 1738, was granted originally to "several 
petitioners of Medficld." It included most of the present town of Soutlibridgc. 



24 COUNTY mSTORY. 



IldKlc'ii, taken wholly froni Worcester, and probably settled, in part, in the 
early part of the last century, was incorporated Jannsiry 9, 1740. Paxton 
and West Boylston have taken from the original area of this town. 

Leominster,' as territory, was added to Lancaster, by the General Court, in 
1713, in contirmation of a purchase from Indians, and was taken from the same 
mother town, by the General Court, June 23, 1740, when it was incorporated 
under its present name. 

Warren was incoi-poratcd as Western on the sixteenth of Januarj', 1741. 
It was taken from Brookfield, Brimficld, and the " easterly part of what was 
Kingsfield." It took its present name, March 13, 1834. 

Douglas, named from an eccentric Scotchman, doctor and author, living in 
Boston, was an original grant, and was called New Sherburne, from the early 
home of the first settlers. The year of its incorporation was 1746. 

New Braintree, containing six thousand acres of land, was granted to certain 
inhabitants of Braintree for public services of some kind. It was called Brain- 
tree Farms. This grant, enlarged by tracts from Brookfield and Ilardwick, was 
erected into a town, January 31, 1751. 

Spencer, included in the original grant of Leicester, was incoi-porated Ajiril 
3, 1753, new style. It had been settled nuich earlier, and was made a precinct 
of the mother town in 1744. 

Petersham is a child of Lancaster, though it never was included in the terri- 
tory of that town. The relationship was in children rather than acres. It 
was an original grant to John Bennett. Jeremiah Perlcy and others, "as a com- 
pensation for services performed I)y them in Indian wars" under connnand of 
Capt. John White, one of the heroes of Lancaster, who died in 1725. The 
date of the first settlement is not known, but a meeting-house was built in 1738. 
The act of incorporation was dated April 20, 1754. 

Charlton was taken from the westerly side of Oxford, and was erected into a 
town November 2, 1754. Being owned by non-resident proprietors, its settle- 
ment was retarded many years, but there were enough people to establish a 
church in 17G1. Part of this town was added to Sturbridge. 

Westminster has already been mentioned as "the south town laid out to the 
Narragansett soldiers." The grant was in 1732. The grantees lived in the 
towns north and west of Boston. The first settler moved into the place in 
1737, but the town was not set up as :i municipalit}' until April 20, 1770. The 
town has been enlarged and diminished several timos, but still has respectable 
dimensions. It is wedge-shai)ed, with a sharp point but irregular sides. 

Princeton was the "east wing of Rutland," and has l)een enlarged by a sec- 
tion of Ilubbardston and part of a tract called No-town. It was incorporated 
April 24, 1771. 

Templcton, named from a member of the T(nnple family, was sin original 
grant to men who were engaged in King Philip's war, or their heirs. It was 
culled Narraganset No. 6, and was intended to be si.x miles square, but, as was 



DATE OF TOWNS. 25 



coniiiion wi(h Uic surveyors of tluit age, was laid out nuit'li larger. The pro- 
prietors met as curly as 1733, in Concord, but the settlement was debyed by 
Indian troubles about twenty years. The act of incorporation was passed 
March (5, 17G2. Phillipston was included in tlie original grant. 

Athol was granted about the time of the grant of Templeton, though the 
e.xact date is lost. It was known as Pe(]uiog or Payquaigc. Sixty proprietors 
met in Cancord as early as 1734, but there Mas not settlement enough to war- 
rant town privileges before 17G2, when, on the sixth of ilarch, the General 
Court passed an act of incorporation. 

Oakham was taken from Rutland, and was called Eutland West Wing. It 
was made a precinct in 1759, and erected into a town June 11, 17G2. 

Fitchburg was a part of Lunenburg until it was made a separate town, Feb- 
ruary 3, 1764. 

Winchendon was granted in 1735 to the heirs of certain men of Ipswich who 
wei'c in the Canada expedition in 1 GOO. Its name was Ipswich Canada until 
the act of incorporation, June 14, 17G4. 

Eoyalston, first styled Ro^alshire, was originally granted in 1752, and created 
a town Fcbruar}', 17G5. 

Ashburnham was granted to Dorchester men who went in the Canada expe- 
dition, or their heirs. It became a town February 22, 17G5. 

Paxton, taken from Leicester and Rutland, was incorporated February 12, 
1765. 

Northborough, at first a part of Marlborough and then'of Westborough, was 
set oil" as a distinct town on the twenty-fourth of January, 176G. 

Hubbardston, named from the Hon. Thomas Hubbard, was a part of Rutland, 
and was incorporated on the thirteenth day of June, 1767. 

Northljridge was the north part of Uxbridge, whence its name. It became 
a town July 14, 1772. 

Barre was a section of Rutland, and was, in 1749, made a district. It be- 
came a town, by authority of the General Court, June 14, 1774, and took the 
name of a distinguished member of parliament, and a friend to the Colonies. 

Aul)urn, originally called Ward, after Gen. Ward, was taken from surround- 
ing towns, and made a town April 10, 1778. 

j\Ii!foi-d, the north parish or precinct of Mendon, in 1741 was known by the 
name of i\lill River. Its incorporation took place April 11, 1780. 

Sterling was the south-west quarter of Lancaster, and was known as Chock- 
sett. It was a parish from 1743 till 1781, April 25, when it became a separate 
town. 

Berlin, formed from Bolton, but a grandchild of Lancaster, became the second 
parish of Bolton in the year 1778. It was incorporated as a district of Bol- 
ton in 1784, and as a town, February 6, 1812. 

Gardner was composed of corners of the four surrounding towns, and by act, 
dated June 27, 1785, became a town. 



26 



COUNTY HISTORY. 



Boylston, named froai a, distinguished family, was a part of Shrewsbury, and 
was made a parish in 1742. Its birth as a town was on the first of March, 1786. 

PhilHpston, taken chiefly from Tcmplcton, was set off as a parish in 1774. 
Its incorporation as a town was on the twentieth of October, 1786. Its original 
name was Gerr}', l)ut this was changed in 1814. 

Dana was taken from Petersham, ILirdwick and Greenwich, and estiiblished 
as a town, February 18, 1801. 

West Boylston, has, in part, belonged to Lancaster, Slirewsl)ury, llolden, 
Stei'ling and Boylston. It became a distinct town January 30, 1808. 

North Brookdeld was the north parish of Brookiield for a long series of years. 
In 1812, February 28, it became a town. 

Milll)ury long existed as tiie north parish of Sutton, but was incorporated as 
a town, Juno 11, 1813. 

Souliibridge was taken from Charlton, Dudley and Sturbridge, mainly. Its 
incorporation was on the fifteenth of February, 1816. 

Webster, from Dudley and Oxford, was set off as a town, by authority, in 
1832, March 6, and by the choice of the people, took the name of the great 
statesman. 

Blackstone was the south part of ISIcudon until ISIarch 5, 1845, when it was 
incorporated as a town. 

West Brookiield, one of the oldest settlements in the count}', — older tiian 
the county itself, having originally belonged to old Hampshire County, — was 
made a town, l)y separation from Brooktield, ISIarch 3, 1848. 

Clinton, the youngest and most flourishing daugliter of Lancaster, was in- 
corporated ]\Iarcii 14, 1850. 

Census During the Century — 1776-1875. 



Towns and Citie-^. 


17iR 


1790. 


tsoo. 


ISIO. 


1820. 


1830. 


ISiO. 


1850. 


1855. 


1860. 


1865. 


ISIO. 


1875. 


Ashbambara, . 


551 


951 


994 


1,030 


1,230 


1,402 


1,652 


1,875 


2,211 


2,108 


2,153 


2.172 


2,141 


Athol, . 


_ 


818 


993 


1,041 


1,211 


1,325 


1,591 


2,034 


2,3:)5 


2,604 


2,814 


3,517 


4,1.34 


Auburn, . 


_ 


473 


532 


540 


608 


690 


649 


879 


885 


914 


959 


1,178 


1,233 


BaiTC, 


1,320 


1,613 


1,937 


1,971 


2,077 


2,503 


2,751 


2,976 


2,787 


2,973 


2,S.-)G 


2,572 


2,460 


Berlin, . 


_ 


512 


5Q0 


591 


625 


692 


763 


866 


970 


1,106 


1,061 


1,016 


987 


Bl.ickstone, . 


_ 


_ 


- 


. 


_ 


- 


- 


4,391 


5,346 


6,453 


4,857 


.5,421 


4,640 


Bolton, . 


1,201 


861 


945 


1,037 


1,229 


1,203 


1,186 


1,263 


1,255 


1,34S 


1,.502 


1,1)14 


987 


Boylston, 


_ 


839 


1,058 


800 


902 


820 


707 


918 


835 


929 


792 


800 


895 


Brooktield, . . 


2,r.i9 


3,100 


3,284 


3,170 


2,292 


2,342 


2,472 


1,674 


2,007 


2,270 


2,101 


2,.'»27 


2,260 


Charlton, 


1,310 


1,965 


2,120 


2,180 


2il31 


2,173 


2,117 


2.015 


2,059 


2.047 


1,925 


1,878 


1,852 


Clinton, . 


„ 


_ 


_ 


_ 


_ 


— 


- 


3,113 


3,036 


3,859 


4,021 


5,429 


6,781 


Dana, 


_ 


_ 


_ 


625 


664 


623 


691 


812 


821 


876 


789 


758 


760 


DotiRlas, . 


800 


1,079 


1,083 


1,142 


l,.37.'i 


1,742 


1,617 


1,878 


2,.320 


2,442 


2,1. W 2,182' 2,202 


Dudley, . 


875 


1,114 


1,141 


1,220 


1,015 


2,155 


1,3)2 


1,443 


1,523 


1,730 


2,070; 2,388 2,053 


Fitchbnrg, 


643 


1,151 


1,390 


1,566 


1,730 


2,169 


2,(i04 


5,120 


0,442 


7,805 


8,118:11,200 12,289 


Gardner, . 


. 


531 


607 


815 


911 


1,023 


1,260 


1,.53! 


2,183 


2,0 4G 


2,.'i;3; 3,333 3,730 


Grafton, . 


861 


872 


985 


946 


1,154 


1,889 


2,943 


3,904 


4,409 


4,317 


3,96 ll 4,594 4,442 


Hardwick, 


1,3!)3 


1,725 


1,727 


1,657 


1,836 


1,885 


1,789 


1,631 


1,523 


1,521 


1,967 


2.219 1,902 


Harvard, . 


1,315 


1,387 


1,310 


1,431 


1,597 


1,000 


1,571 


1,030 


1,.533 


1,507 


1,355 


1,341 1,304 


HoUlen, . 


74!) 


1,077 


1,142 


1,072 


1,402 


1,719 


1,874 


1,937 


2,114 


1,915 


1,816 


2,062 2,180 


Hubbardston, . 


488 


933 


1,113 


1,127 


l,.3a7 


1,074 


1,781 


1,825 


1,744 


1,621 


1,.546 


1,051 1,440 


Lancaster, 


2,746 


1,460 


1,581 


1,694 


1,802 


2,014 


2,019 


1,688 


1,728 


1,9.32 


1,752 


1.845 lfir,7 


Leicester, 


1,005 


1,076 


1,103 


1,181 


1,152 


1.782 


1,707 


2,269 


2,689 


2,748 


2,.527 


2.768 2.770 



COURTS FOUNDED. 



27 



Census durinij the Century — (Coutimicd.) 



Towss ASD Cities. 


1778. 


1790. 


1800. 


ISIO. 


1820. 


1830. 


1840. 


1850. 


1855. 


1860. 


1865. 


1S70. 


1875. 


Leominster, . 


97S 


1,189 


1,486 


1,.5S4 


1,790 


1,861 


2,069 


3,121 


3,200 


3,522 


3,313 


3,834 


5,201 


Liincnliuri', 


1,2G.'-. 


1,277 


1,243 


1,371 


1,209 


1,317 


1,272 


1,249 


1,224 


1,212 


1,167 


1,121 


1,1.53 


Mcnd.m, . . . 


2,.'i22 


1,:5.5.5 


1,028 


1,819 


2.2.54 


3,152 


3,521 


1,300 


1,.3.S2 


1,351 


1 ,207 


1,175 


1,176 


Millbnl. . 


- 


839 


907 


973 


1,100 


1,360 


1,773 


4,819 


7,489 


9,1.32 


9,I0S 


9,890 


9,818 


Millbiirv, 


- 




- 


- 


926 


1,611 


2,171 


3,081 


3,286 


3,296 


3,780 


4,397 


4,529 


New liiainti-ee, 


798 


939 


87.5 


912 


888 


825 


752 


852 


775 


805 


7.52 


040 


606 


Noi-tlilioroiish, 


582 


619 


698 


794 


1,018 


992 


1,218 


1,535 


1,602 


1,.565 


1,023 


1,.504 


1,398 


NoilIil>ricl^e, . 


481 


569 


544 


713 


905 


1,0.53 


1,419 


2,230 


2,104 


2,6.33 


2,642 


3,774 


4,0.30 


North lirookliclJ, . 


- 


- 


- 


- 


1,09.5 


1,241 


1,4S5 


1,939 


2,349 


2,760 


2,514 


3,343 


3,749 


Oakham, . 


598 


772 


801 


848 


986 


1,010 


1,0,38 


1,137 


1,062 


959 


9_'5 


860 


873 


Oxl'onl, . 


1,112 


1,000 


1,237 


1,277 


1,562 


2,034 


1,742 


2,380 


2,808 


3,034 


2,713 


2,069 


2,938 


Piixton, . 


- 


,558 


582 


619 


613 


597 


670 


820 


792 


725 


626 


046 


000 


Pctcisham, 


1,235 


1,500 


1,794 


1,490 


1,623 


1,896 


1,775 


1,527 


1,.5.53 


1,465 


1,428 


1,335 


1,203 


Phillipston, . 


— 


740 


802 


839 


916 


932 


919 


809 


799 


764 


725 


693 


066 


Prmceton, 


701 


1,010 


1,021 


1,002 


1,261 


1,346 


1,347 


1,318 


1,317 


1,201 


1,239 


1,279 


1,063 


Rovalston, 


617 


1,130 


1,243 


1,415 


1,424 


1,493 


1,637 


1,.516 


1,469 


1,480 


1,441 


1,.3.54 


1,260 


Rutland, . 


1,006 


1,072 


1,202 


1,231 


1,262 


1,276 


1,260 


1,2'J3 


1.102 


1,070 


1,011 


1,024 


1.030 


Shrews Ijui-y, . 


1,47.5 


963 


1,04b 


1,210 


1,4.58 


1,386 


1,481 


1,598 


1,036 


l,.5-58 


1,57(1 


1,010 


1,524 


Southlioronsh, 


7.53 


837 


871 


920 


1 ,030 


1,080 


1,145 


1,347 


1,002 


1,8.54 


1,7-50 


2,135 


1,986 


Southliridge, . 


- 


_ 


- 


- 


1,060 


1,444 


2,031 


2,824 


3,429 


3,575 


4,131 


5,208 


5,740 


Spencer, . 


1,042 


1,322 


1,432 


1,4.53 


1,518 


1,018 


1,604 


2,244 


2,.527 


2,777 


3,021 


3,952 


5,451 


Sterling, . 


- 


1,428 


1,614 


1,472 


1,710 


1,794 


1,047 


1,805 


1,838 


1,881 


1,608 


1,070 


1,.569 


Sturbvidge, 


1,374 


1,704 


1,840 


1,927 


1,633 


1,688 


2,005 


2,119 


2.188 


2,282 


1,993 


2,101 


2,213 


Sutton, . 


2,614 


2,642 


2,513 


2,660 


2,056 


2,180 


2,370 


2,595 


2,718 


2,676 


2,363 


2,699 


3,051 


Ternplcton, 


1,016 


930 


1,068 


1,205 


1,331 


1,.5.52 


1,776 


2,173 


2,018 


2,816 


2,390 


2,802 


2,764 


Upton, 


702 


833 


■ 8.54 


99.5 


1,088 


1,167 


1,466 


2,023 


2,035 


1,986 


2,018 


1,989 


2,125 


Uxlirijge, 


1,110 


1,308 


1,404 


1,404 


1,.551 


2,086 


2,004 


2,457 


3,008 


3,133 


2,838 


3,058 


3,029 


Warren, . 


827 


889 


979 


1,014 


1,112 


1,189 


1,290 


1,777 


1,793 


2,107 


2,180 


2,625 


3,260 


Webster, . 


- 


- 


- 


- 


- 


- 


1,403 


2,371 


2,727 


2,912 


3,608 


4,763 


5,064 


Westborongh, . 


900 


934 


922 


1,048 


1,326 


1,43S 


1,6,58 


2,371 


3,014 


2,913 


3,141 


3,001 


5,141 


West Boylston. 


- 


- 


- 


032 


886 


1,055 


1,187 


1,749 


2,310 


2,509 


2,294 


2,862 


2,902 


Wcs^t Brooklicld, . 


- 


- 


- 


- 


- 


- 


_ 


1,314 


1,364 


1,548 


1,.549 


1,842 


1,903 


Westminster, . 


1,145 


1,170 


1,309 


1,419 


1,634 


1,693 


1,645 


1,914 


1,979 


1,840 


1,6.39 


1,770 


1,712 


Winclicndon, . 


519 


916 


1,092 


1,173 


1,263 


1,463 


1,754 


2,445 


2,747 


2,624 


2,891 


3,398 


3,762 


Worcester, 


1,923 


2,09.-. 


2,411 


2,577 


2,062 


4,173 


7,497 


17,049 


22,286 


24,960 


30,055 


41,105 


49,317 



CHAPTER VI. 



ADMINISTKATION OF JUSTICE. 

The act con-stituting the county of Worcester was passed April 2, 1731, 
and went into effect on the tcntli of tlio following July. Worcester was made the 
shire town, because of its central location. There were several other towns 
which exceeded it iu population and taxable property, as Sutton, jNIendon, 
Brooktield, and Lancaster. The location of the seat of justice was the occa- 
sion of diversity of opinion, and caused much discussion. As the country was 
then settled, Lancaster was the centre of a large district which needed a con- 
venient i)lace f(n- holding the courts, and for the transaction of county business. 
If Lancaster had been selected, the towns of Ashby, Townsend, Shirley, Pep- 
percll, Groton. and, perhaps, two or three more would have been taken from 
Middlesex. As the whole western part of the county north of the Brook- 



28 COUNTY HISTORY. 



fields was then unsettled, Lancaster would have been convenient to a majority 
of the population. But for the purpose of accommodating the people in the 
southern towns, as well as the northern, it was })roposed to make both Lan- 
caster and "Worcester half-shire towns. According to Lincoln ("History of 
Worcester") and other authorities, this would have been the result if a promi- 
nent citizen of Lancaster, then placed on the bench, had not opposed and 
remonstrated. Judge Joseph Wilder, the elder, was a worthy and upright 
man, but bj^ this action was the occasion, if not the cause, of making Worces- 
ter a thriving city at the expense of his native town. 

The motive which princii)ally governed his action was not without force. 
It is said that he feared the demoralizing influence of a shire town on the 
morals and character of the people. And if we bear in mind that in those 
days every session of a court was an occasion for the gathering of a large con- 
course of people at the shire town, for the purpose of recreation, sport, horse- 
racing, gambling, and dram-drinking, the judge seems to have had some reason 
for his course. At present, the session of a court is scarcely noticed, except 
by those specially interested, as the parties, and those concerned in conduct- 
ing the courts. Remarkable cases only draw the attendance or even the atten- 
tion of the general public. But at the time when the county was formed, the 
state of things was entirely different. The people had few holidays. No 
historical events, like the Fourth of July or the more sacred festival of Christ- 
mas, were observed. There was not such constant going to and fro as at 
present, with our increased facilities of travel. The holding of the court was 
therefore made the occasion of a general gathering of all the loose, as well as 
some of the respectable elements of society in the shire town. The streets 
were so thronged at some hours of the day by teams, and there were such 
trials of speed, that women and ciiildrcn kept at a safe distance. Betting was 
common. Wrestling, ball-plajing, and other athletic sports were the order of 
the day. The taverns were well patronized, and liquors flowed freely. All 
these scenes were familiar to Judge Wilder ; I)ut he could not foresee tliat this 
was a passing state of societ3% and that the time was coming when the sessions 
of the court, while distributing justice and securing the sal'ety of property and 
life, would create scarcely a ripple on the current of society'. The courts 
might come and go, while the farmer, the mechanic, and the trader were all 
busy in their varied and productive industries; and the morals of the seat of 
justice might compare favorable with those of the remotest and least populous 
town of the county. Such has been the result, and the city of Worcester is 
the grand consequence of a fortunate turn in its history. 

When the county was formed, it came under the general judicial arrange- 
ment of the Province. The General Court, or Provincial Government, was 
the supreme authority in all cases which did not infringe on the imperial juris- 
diction of the mother country. 

There were justices of the peace in the several towns, and their office was 



COURTS OPENED. 29 



important and respectable. The preservation of the peace tlepcnclcd mainly 
on their efficiency. The jurisdiction was extensive, though not I'caching to 
cases of great magnitude. The status and duties of these officers were not 
affected by the formation of the county, but they were brought into now rela- 
tions. 

The Court of General Sessions of the Peace for the county was composed 
of all the justices in the county, presided over l)y one or more of the four 
judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas. At the first session the court 
was constituted as follows: Hon. John Chandler, Esq., of Woodstock, Chief 
Justice of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas, and the following justices 
of the peace ; viz., Daniel Taft, John Chandler, Jr., Benjamin Willard, Samuel 
Wright, Josiah Willard, Joseph Dwight, Samuel Dudley, Ilcury Lee, and 
Nahum AVard, Esqrs. 

This court, as a Court of Sessions, laid out highways, licensed houses of 
entertainment, admitted freemen, was charged to see that the towns were 
supplied with au able ministry, well supported, had a similar duty in regard to 
schools, when towns were negligent, and had pi'obate jurisdiction. All this 
in addition to its regular judicial duties. All the criminal cases in the 
county, except those involving life, limb, and banishment, came under its 
pui'view. 

The first session of this court was in the capacity of a Court of Probate, 
and was held in the meeting-house, July 13, 1731. The General Court had 
originally attended to all probate business, but in time necessity led that body 
to delegate the lousiness to inferior courts. 

The Inferior Court of Common Pleas was a county court, and was composed 
of four judges. The names of the judges at the origin of the county were 
these : John Chandler of Woodstock, chief justice, Joseph Wilder of Lan- 
caster, William Ward of Southborough, and William Jennison of Worcester. 
Three of the judges constituted a quorum. They heard appeals from the 
Court of General Sessions of the Peace, and they were api)ealcd from to the 
Superior Court of Judicature, which was a provincial court, holding annual ses- 
sions in each county. The time for holding this court in Worcester County 
was October; though the first session, in 1731, began on the twenty-second 
of September. 

The Inferior Court of Common Pleas, and the Court of the General Sessions 
of the Peace, held four sessions yearly; viz., in the months of May, August, 
November, and February. As the year began in March, the first session of 
the 3'ear was in May. These two courts are often spoken of as one body, and 
seem, at times, to have had simultaneous sessions. At their organization 
they were united in the formal services, and joined together in public 
worship, which was conducted by the Rev. John Prentice of Lancaster, the 
pastor of Judge Wilder. The text was from the charge of King Jchoshaphat 
to his judges, as recorded in 2 Chron. xix. 6, 7 : "And said to the judges, 



30 COUNTY HISTORY. 



Take heed what yc do : for ye judge not for man, l)ut for Ihe Lord, who is 
with 3'ou in jiidguicut. Wiiercforc now let the fear of the Lord be upon you ; 
take heed and do i(; for t/iere is no iniquity witli the Lord our God, nor re- 
spect of persons, nor taking of gifts." It M-as a grand and solemn service, 
tending to give reputation and weight to the trihunal in the eyes of the com- 
munity. 

These two courts, however, were distinct in their jurisdiction as well as in 
their personnel, except that the pi'csiding judge of the Court of General Ses- 
sions was one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas. These courts 
had power to summon grand and petit jurors, and to choose clerks and other 
necessary officers. Their records were kept in separate volumes. 

Having made this general statement in regard to the courts, we will now 
take up tlie two county coui'ts, and give their organization and fun(^tions more 
in detail. 

The Inferior Court of Commox Pleas. 

The act of the General Court creating the Court of Common Pleas has been 
referred to already. The Commission to the justices of this court will be read 
with interest, as it conveys needed information in regard to the powers of the 
trihunal, and has a pleasant air of antiquity. 

"George the Second, l)}-thc grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, 
king, defender of the faith, &c., to our trusty and well-beloved John Chandler. Joseph 
Wilder, William Ward and William Jcnnison, Esquires : Whereas, in and by an act 
m.ade and passed by the great and general court or assembly of our province of the 
Massachusetts Bay in New England, at their sessions begun and hold the thirty-first 
da}' of ^la}-, anno 1090, entitled an act for establishing Inferior Courts of Common 
Pleas in the several counties of tiiis province, it is enacted that there shall be held and 
kept in each respective county within the said province, ycari}- and ever}- year, at the 
times and places in the said act mentioned and expressed, an Inferior Court of Com- 
mon Pleas, by four substantial persons to be appointed and eommissioued as justices 
of the said court in each county (any three of whom to be a quorum for the hold vf the 
said court), who shall have coguizance of all civil actions arising and happening within 
such countj', triable at the common law, of what nature, kind or quality soever, and 
are hereby empowered to give judgment therein, and award execution thereupon. We, 
therefore, reposing special trust and confidence in 3-our loyalt}', prudence and ability, 
have assigned, constituted, and appointed, and bj- these presents do assign, constitute, 
and appoint you, the said .John Chandler, .Joseph Wilder, AVilliam Ward, and M'illiam 
Jcnnison, to be our justices of our said Inferior Court of Common Pleas, in our County 
of Worcester, within our province aforesaid, and do authorize and empower yon, and 
ever}' one of j'ou rcspectivelj-, to have, use and exercise, all and single, the powers, 

authoritys, and jurisdictions to a justice of our said belonging, or in an}' wise 

apperlnining ; and j'ou, or any three of 3-ou, to hear and determine all such causes and 
matters as are by law cognizable in our said Inferior Court of Common Pleas, and to 
give judgment thereon, and award execution thereupon, and to do that which to justice 
doth appertain according to Law. In testimony whereof, we have caused the public seal 



COMMON PLEAS JUDGES. 31 

of our province of the Massachusetts Bay aforesaid, to be hereunto affixed. AVitness, 
Jon.alhaii Belcher, Esq., our captain-general and goveruor-iu-chief of our said province, 
at Boston, the thirteenth day of June, 1731, in the fifth year of our reignc. 
By order of the governor, J. Belcher. 

With the advice and consent of the council, July 1, 1731. J. Willard, Sec'y." 

On the twelfth of Auijust ensuing, John Chandler, Jr., was chosen clerk 
of the court. Benjamin Flagg was appointed " cryor," and Joseph Dwiglit and 
Nahum Ward were admitted and sworn as attorneys. The first session of this 
court was held two days before, on the tenth of August. 

This court e-xisted till the year 1811, when the old system of Inferior County 
Courts of Common Pleas was succeeded by the present arrangement. The 
names of the first judges are given above. 

In 1740, the chief justice, John Chandler, died, and the court was constituted 
as follows : Joseph Wilder, chief justice ; AVilliani Ward, William Jennison, 
and Joseph Dwight. . The latter was of Brookficld. 

The vacancy caused by the dece.isc of Judge Jennison in 1741, was filled by 
the appointment of Samuel Willard of Lancaster. Ho was a grandson of the 
famous jNlajor ^^imon Wilhird, and was himself a man of great capacity in civil 
and military life. The titles on his gravestone are : The Honorable Colonel 
Samuel AVillard, Esq. 

Judge Ward was succeeded, in 1745, by Nahum Ward of Shrewsbury, the 
father of Major-Gen eral and Judge Artemas Ward. 

In 1750, Capt. Edward IlartM'ell of Lmienburg (formerly noted as one of 
the many brave and capable military officers of Lancaster) succeeded Judge 
Dwight. By the death of Col. Willard, in 1752, a vacancy was caused, which 
was filled by the appointment of Major Jonas Eice of Worcester. 

John Chandler, Jr., clerk of the court from the beginning, and son of the 
first chief judge, M'as appointed in 1754. The next year, in consequence of 
the decease of Judge Rice, Thomas Steel of Leicester, was raised to the bench. 

Chief Justice Joseph Wilder, senior, died in the year 1757, when the court 
was reconstituted in the following order : John Chandler, chief justice ; 
Edward IlartwcU, Thomas Steel, and Timothy Ruggles of Ilardwick. 

Five years later, 17G2, Judge Chandler died, when Judge Ilugglcs was 
jumped from the foot to the head of the list, as chief justice, with the following 
colleagues, viz. : Thomas Steel of Leicester, Joseph Wilder, Jr., of Lancaster, 
and Artemas Ward of Shrewsbury. Judges Ruggles and Ward had become 
distinguished in military service in the French and Indian war. The former 
was ever after known as Brigadier Ruggles, and the latter became the first 
Major-General in the colonial army at the outbreak of the Revolution. 

These four judges remained in office initil June 5, 1774, except Judge 
Wilder, who died in 1773, at which time the approaching revolt against the 
mother country caused a cessation of the court under the authority of the 
king. On the seventeenth of October, 1775, by authority of the executive 



COUNTY inSTORY. 



council of tlic logislaturc of the province, the court was set up again, and 
justice was ailmiuistered witliout (he authority of his majesty. As one of the 
judges — "Wilder — was dead, and two others — Kugglcs and Steel — adhered 
to the king, it was necessary to find new men. General "Ward was named chief 
justice in place of Brigadier lluggles, and had the following associates, viz. : 
Jedediah Foster of Crookficld, Moses Gill of Princeton, and Samuel Baker of 
Berlin. In a recent work it is implied, if not stated explicitly, that the 
j-ounger Judge AVildcr of Lancaster was a tory. But as the judge died two 
years before the Concord fight, and as there is no record or tradition in Lan- 
caster, that any bearing the name of "Wilder was wanting in the cause of his 
country when the day of trial came, the above allegation must bo a mistake. 

In 177G, Judge Foster was promoted to the bench of the Superior Court of 
Judicature, when, September ID, Joseph Dorr of Auburn was appointed to the 
position of judge in the county court. Judge Gill became Lieut. Governor in 
1794, when Dwight Foster, son of Judge Jedediah, was ajjpointed judge ; but 
he declined the office, and ^lichael Gill became a member of the court. 

Samuel Baker, appointed in 1775, died in the year I'dij, after twcnt3- years 
of service, when Elijah Brigham of AVestborough was appointed. 

Gen. Artemas Ward resigned the office of chief justice in 1792, a year before 
his decease, when the Hon. John Sprague was not only raised to the bench, but 
placed at the head as chief justice. This was due to his eminence as a lawyer, 
and his high reputation as a man of affiiirs. 

By his decease in the year 1800 a vacancy was made, which was filled by the 
promotion of Judge Foster to the chief justiceship in 1801. Judge Dorr, after 
an honorable service of twenty-live 3'ears, was succeeded by Benjamin Iley wood 
of "Worcester. This arrangement lasted till the year 1811. In 1803, criminal 
jurisdiction was transferred to this court from the Court of Sessions. 

The Court of General Sessions of the Peace. 

The constitution of this court has already been given ; but the genera] reader 
will like to learn, from the Commission to the Justices, what matters came under 
the jurisdiction of this important tribunal. For the triljunal was important 
and honorable, though occasionally the judges treated the jus'.ices with very little 
respect. An anecdote or two will illustrate the point. Before Judge Rugglcs 
came to this county, while conducting a case at Plymouth, an aged woman 
came into court as a part}' or witness, and not finding a seat, looked to Mr. 
Rugglcs. Seeing her dilemma, with characteristic insolence, he pointed to the 
bench, and told her to find a seat there among the justices. Seeing her about 
to take a seat, the presiding judge inquired what she was there for. She 
timidly referred to Esquii'o Rugglcs. Being called up for explanation, and 
seeing his mistake, yet not willing to make a i)roper apology, he re[)lied : 
"I — I — really thought the place was made for old women." 

"While practising before the Court of Sessions in this county, one day the 




AMEKICAN ANTIaUARIAN SOCIETY'S HLILUING, WORCESTEK, MASS. 



COURT OF SESSIONS. 33 

dog of one of the justices took his place in a chair assigned to their honors, 
liuggles, seeing this, cried out, "Go home, dog, and take your oath of ofDce I" 

Passing from this digression, the extracts below arc taken from the commis- 
sion directed to the fore-named judges and the following justices of the peace, 
viz., Daniel Taft, John Chandler, Jr., Benjamin Willard, Samuel Wright, 
Josiah Willard, Joseph Dwight, Samuel Dudley, Henry Lee, and Nahum 
Ward. They were empowered and directed "to keep the peace in AVorccster 
County"; "to keep and cause to be kept the laws and ordinances made for 
the good of the peace, and for the conservation of (he same, and for the quiet, 
rule, and government of our i)eop]e." 

They were "to chastise and punish all persons ollVnding against the form of 
these laws and ordinances." In the words of the instrument, " You arc to 
cause to come before you all those that shall break the peace, etc., or shall 
threaten any of our people in their persons, or in burning their houses." They 
were to require such persons "to give security', or go to prison." They were 
to "hold courts at certain stated times and places (whereof any of the jud"-es 
always to be one) ; to make inquisition of all thefts, trespasses, riots, routs, 
and unlawful assemblies, and all and singular other misdeeds and olTences." 
Such was their authority. Their tirst session was on the 10th of Au'>-ust, 
when jNIr. Prentice preached before them. On the 12th, they chose Joliu 
Chandler, Jr., clerk, and were fully organized for business. 

In this court, one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas must be 
present. All might be, and sometimes were. But, l)y this arrangement, it 
was possible for both courts to sit at the same time. Three judges could hold 
the Court of Common Pleas, and one judge, with the justices, constituted the 
Court of Sessions. In matters of gi-eat importance, all the judges mi^ht be 
present. 

Inflictions by this court were by fines, imprisonment, the wliipping-post, the 
stocks, and the pillory. 

This court had charge of the financial afl'airs of the county, thus acting in 
the place of modern county commissioners. 

Perhaps a better idea of this court can be learned from a few specimens of 
their action than in any other way. 

Among the first necessities of a county, which is essentially an arrano-ement 
for judicial purposes, is the providing of a court-house, with all suitable appoint- 
ments for holding courts and keeping records, and jails, houses of correction, 
or other prisons for the detention, amendment, and punishment of the viola- 
tors of the law. In those days, also, there was need of extra room for poor 
as well as fraudulent debtors. As our fathers did not choose to be at the 
expense of supporting ordinary and petty criminals in idleness, in costly and 
palatial jails, they gave them a short and sharp turn at the whipping-post, or 
in the pillory, and then sent them on their way, hoping that they would mend 
their manners. 



34 COUNTY HISTORY. 



The whipping-post and its adjuncts were set up on the hill that rises back 
of the court-house. It may as well be noted here that the court-houses have 
always occupied the same locality on Court Ilill. 

The Court of Sessions, in September, 1731, counted (he votes, given by the 
freemen of the county, for register of deeds, when it was found that John 
Chandler, Jr., had been chosen by a large majority. At the same time, Ben- 
jamin Ilougliton was found to be the choice of the county as county treasurer 
by a like ninjority. 

The court took order for the building of a prison and prison-house, or house 
for the jailer. The building was to l)e thirty-six feet long and seventeen feet 
wide, with fourteen-fcet posts. Under the same was to be a dungeon. One 
end of the house was to be " finished oif after the usual manner of dwelling- 
houses." In (he meantime, the house of William Jennison was to be used as 
a prison, and a "cage was to Ijc built." In February, 1731-2, the plan of the 
prison was altered somewhat, making its length forty-one feet, and its breadth . 
eighteen feet. The prison part Avas to be eighteen feet sipiare. At the 
November term, it was decided that the prison should be used as a house ot 
correction. 

At the August term, in 1732, the court appointed a committee to inquire 
the cost of a suitable court-house, and to sec what individuals iu Boston and 
other places would give in aid of the object. At the November term, it was 
decided that (he court-house should not exceed thirty-six feet in length and 
twenty-six feet in width. The posts were to be thirteen feet. 

The county tax for usual charges, and for building a court-house, was laid 
according to the following table. Lancaster paid nearly twice as much as 
any other town, and almost three times as much as AVorcestcr. In a few 
years, by the formation of Harvard, Bolton, and Leominster, (he i)opulation 
and vahuition were reduced, but still exceeded those of any other town. 





£ 


». 


d. 




"Worcester, 


. 22 


15 


4 


Rutland, . 


Lancaster, 


. C2 


IG 


8 


Westborough 


Mcndon, . 


. 3G 








Shrewsbury, 


"Woodstoclc, 


. 32 








Oxford, . 


Erook(iel(l, 


. 27 


1 


4 


Sutton, 


Soutliboroiigh, . 


. 17 


G 





Uxbridgc, 


Leicester, . 


. 13 


10 


4 


Lunenburg, 



£ 


». 


d. 


7 


16 





18 


2 





14 


14 





14 


4 





24 


10 





12 





8 


7 


16 






The following extracts from (he records give a glimpse at the multifarious 
business of the court, and also incidentally' lay open to us the state of society 
and the condition of things in the county. 

At the very first session, (he Bev. David Parsons of Leicester, entered a 
complaint against the town of Leicester for failiug to "render him support, 
according to agreement." This complaint was renewed from time to time, the 



TOWNS PRESENTED. 35 

sck'ctinen asking lor del:iy. Tlio town, acting as a parish, was hoiiokk'ii to 
Mr. Parsons, and this court w'as charged with the enforcement of such ehiiins. 

John IlazeUine, of Sutton, was conii)huned of by the Indian widow of 
George INIisco for selling strong drink to Indians. He was found guiky, and 
fined ten shillings, with costs, — seven pounds, nine shillings, and twopence. 

Presentuieuts were made by the grand jury against the towns of Woi'cester, 
Brookticld, Uxbridgc, Southl)orough, and Luncnljurg, for "not being provided 
with stocks as the law requires." 

Brooktield, Leicester, Southborough, and Lunenburg were presented for 
"not being provided with weights and measures according to law." 

The towns of Uxbridgc and Southborougk were presented for " not being 
provided with a writing and reading schoolmaster." 

Several persons were presented for not attending meeting on the Lord's day. 
They entered a plea of "not guilty," and were acquitted, but, according to a 
singular custom of those times, had to pay costs. . 

In some cases, the " Baptists, or Anabaptists," so called, were complained of 
for neglecting public worship. They prayed for the favor granted them by 
the laws of the province, and were generally, if not always, acquitted. 

The town of Worcester was presented for " not being provided with stocks." 
It was found, on inquiiy, that the town " had a good and lawful form of stocks." 
It is conjectured that the selectmen, hearing of the presentment, forthwith 
complied with the law before the court acted. The court decided to discharge 
the town from paying a fine, but, as usual, saddled it with costs, — £11 8s. 3d. 
It was important to avoid the "appearance of evil" in times when a mere com- 
plaint involved costs, however innocent might be the defendant. 

In August, 1732, Southborough was presented for failing to "provide a 
writing and reading master." Brookfield and Lunenburg were reported delin- 
quent in regard to weights and measures. 

In our degenerate days, governors and their attendants may travel in any 
direction without attracting attention, but, a century and a half ago, they went 
in state, and were received with ceremony, and sometimes with pomp and 
piigeantry. In 173.5, Gov. Belcher made a progress through the colony as far 
as the Connecticut Valley. He arrived at Worcester on the 25th of August, 
when the justices of the General Sessions waited on him, and the executive 
officers in a body. These are the names of the judges and justices present on 
the august occasion : John Chandler, Joseph Wilder, William Ward, William 
Jennison, John Chandler, Jr., Josiah Wilder, Nahum Ward, Henry Lee, 
Samuel Willard, John Keyes. 

A case occasionally came before the Court of Sessions which revealed a form 
of quasi slavery, as when a man was compelled to give his time in payment of 
debt. 

The case of Edward Smith, a minor and bound apprentice to Ebenezer 
Policy, both of Lancaster, comes under this head. He was accused of stealing 



36 COUNTY HISTORY. 



from his master, in the night time. He confossed his guilt, but as Policy h:\d 
reclaimed all the stolen property except the value of £3 3,s., he insisted only on 
restitution to that amount. Smith M-as sentenced to pay the King £3, or be 
whipped ten stripes, and pay costs and fees, £5 5s. Gd. Moreover he was to pay 
his master £9 9.s., or triple the loss. Being unable to pay, but "humbly desir- 
ing of his master to pay the same," it was ordered that he should serve his 
master two years after coming of age, or his heirs or assigns. Policy Avas, 
besides bis board, to find him in needful clothes. 

One case is i-ecorded where a man'was sold, in this sense, that his time was 
.secured to his creditor ; but tliis seems to have been the old method of secur- 
ing that, which is now obtained by the trustee process, in which a man's wages 
are pledged. 

About the same time Elisha Paine of Cauterbur}^ Conn., being in Worcester 
jail for publishing or uttering mock sermons, etc., and mimicking preaching 
and other parts of divine service, demanded of the court why he should not be 
"discharged and come forth" from confinement. No one appearing against 
him, ho was discharged. Probably it was thought he had been in jail long 
enough to sei-ve as a warning to himself and others of like manners. 

A few other cases will be mentioned without any regard to classification, but 
merely to give an idea of the times. 

At the May session, 1748, Ezra Rolfe of Lancaster, hushandman, having in 
his possession the flesh of a deer, killed contrary to law, came into court and 
confessed himself guilty. He was fined fifty shillings, half to the King, and 
half to the informer, which was paid, with costs, and he was discharged. 

Thomas Prentice of Lunenburg, was licer.sed an innholder. 

The court inspected the votes returned from the several towns ; and it 
appeared that Major Daniel Ueywood was chosen county treasurer l)y a unani- 
mous vote. 

The court ordered that the floor of the court-house, "where the clerk and 
lawyers sett be raised about twelve inches." 

Two men were fined fifty shillings each for having killed M'ild deer of the 
value of ten shillings, at a time prohibited by law. Tlicy paid the fine, with 
costs, and were discharged. 

A woman living in Woodstock was complained of for not attending meeting 
on the Lord's iV.iy. She, in defence, alleged that she was a B.aptist or Ana- 
baptist, and that there was snow on the gi-ouud which impeded travel. The 
complaint was dismissed, but she was obliged to pay co.sts. 

At that time all persons were expected to attend meeting, and to aid in sup- 
port of the Congregational worshi]), unless they voluntarily joined some other 
society, as a Baptist church, for example. In that case, their money went 
according to their pi'cferencc. The law was objectionable as making an invidi- 
ous distinction, but was based on the principle that every one was benefited 
by religious institutions, and should pay for them, in proportion, as well as for 



COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. 37 

schools, or the means of seeiilar education. "Anabaptists," a name applicil to 
tiie Captists by their opponents, was considered by them as a term of reproach. 
It has long since gone into disuse, as a name for a numerous and most 
respectable denomination. 

One of the crimes most frequently brought before the court Mas fornication, 
but in the great majority of cases the parties were married before their 
arraignment. They always paid the fine, and were discharged. In other 
cases, where marriage had not taken place, the guilty were subjected to severer 
penalties. It is noticeable that the crime of adultery was of very rare 
occurrence. 

Such was the Court of General Sessions of the Peace, unchanged in its con- 
stitution and functions until 1803, when criminal matters were trans- 
ferred to the Court of Common Pleas. In 1807 the number of magistrates 
composing this court was reduced to six ; the name "General" was dropped, 
and it was styled the " Court of Sessions." Pliny Merrick of Brookfield held 
the place of chief justice till 1809, with associate justices as follows : Moses 
White of Eutland, John Whiting of Lancaster, Jonathan Davis of Oxford, 
John Spurr of Charlton, Abraham Lincoln, Stephen Salisbury, Oliver Fiske, 
Jeremiah Robinson and John W. Lincoln, of Worcester; the chief was a law- 
yer, and the associates were men of high standing in their several towns. The 
reputation of some of them has come down to the present day. 

The court was abolished, and all its remaining powers were transferred to 
the Court of Common Pleas in 1809, but owing to the general feeling of dissat- 
isfaction at this act of the legislature, the Sessions Court was set up again, two 
years later, with four justices, viz. : Jonathan Davis of Oxford, Timothy 
Whiting of Lancaster, Joseph Adams of Uxbridge, and Edmund Gushing of 
Lunenburg. 

This arrangement lasted two years, from which time the court was in con- 
tinual fluctuation until 1828. For example, in 181'), the jurisdiction was 
transferred to the Common Pleas Court, with two additional justices who took 
the name of " Sessions' Justices of the Court of Common Pleas," with powers 
limited to matters belonging strictly to the Sessions. In 1819 the "Court of 
Sessions," as a distinct body, was revived, with three justices. These were 
Scott Hastings of Mcndon, as chief, and Benjamin Kimball of Harvard, and 
Aaron Tufts of Dudley, as associate justices. The troubled existence of this 
court ended in 1828. 

Cou:ntt Commissioneks. 

The " Boai-d of County Commissioners " was constituted to take the place of 
the Court of Sessions in relation to matters not judicial in their nature. All 
the prudential and financial business of the county was intrusted to them. 
They did not sit to hear and try causes ; to compel towns to support an "able 
ministry," or a "competent writing and reading master," or sell the time of a 
roguish apprentice, or com]iel an Analjaptist woman to attend meeting in a time 



38 COUNTY HISTORY. 

of snow, or fine men for killing deer at unseasonable times. Some of these 
things ceased to l)c crimes, in the eye of the law ; others were left in the hands 
of the regular courts, presided over by learned judges. 

The business of the county commissioners, though limited in scope, com- 
pared ■with the old Court of Sessions, has risen in importance and respon- 
sibility -with the rapid increase of the county in numbers and wealth. The 
commissioners are charged with the duty of laying out county roads and have 
certain duties in connection with tlie location and crossings of railroads. All 
court-houses, jails, and houses of correction arc built by them, and kept iu 
order for the holding of courts, and the detention and discipline of prisoners. 
These and cognate duties require them to be in frequent session, and to visit, 
in succession, all parts of the count}'. 

The first board was composed of these four men : Jared AVeed of Peter- 
sham, Aaron Tufts of Dudley, Edmund Cushing of Lunenburg, and William 
Eaton of "Worcester. James Draper of Spencer took the place of Cushing 
in 1832. The law was altered in 1836, constituting the board with three com- 
missioners, and two special conunissioners. Under this arrangement the 
following gentlemen filled the ofiicc until 1842, viz. : John ^Y. Lincoln of 
Worcester, Ebenczor D. Ammidown of Southbridge, and AYilliara Crawford 
of Oakham, commissioners. The special commissioners act only in cases when 
IKirticularly called upon. 

Col. Lincoln was succeeded as chairman of the board in 1842 by Gen. Craw- 
ford. The members since that date have been David Davenport of Jlendon, 
Charles Thurber of AVorcester, Jerome Gardner of Harvard, Joseph Bruce of 
Grafton, Otis Adams of Grafton, Bonum Nye of North Brookficld, Asajjh 
Wood of Gardner, Zadok A. Taft of Uxl)ridgc, James Allen of Oakham, 
Amory Holman of Bolton, Velorous Taft of Upton, J. Warren Bigelow of 
Rutland, William O. Brown of Fitchburg, Henry G. Taft of Uxbridge, and 
Henry E. Eice of Barre. The successive chairmen have been Adams, Nye, 
Wood, V. Taft, and Brown, who is chairman of the present board. 

ClKCUIT COUKT OF COMMON PlEAS. 

The County Courts of Common Pleas were superseded by the Circuit Court 
of Common Pleas in the j^ear 1811, when the State was divided into three cir- 
cuits, of which Worcester and the western counties constituted one circuit. 
Each circuit had three judges. The judges belonging to AVorcester Couiity 
were Edward Bangs of Worcester, and SolouKui Strong of Leominster. All 
the judges held courts throughout the circuit. 

In 1820 the circuits were aI)olishcd, and four, (afterwards increased to seven) , 
judges were api)ointed, without reference to county lines. This arrangement 
terminated in 1859. The judges of this court, residing within the county, 
were Solomon Sti'ong of Leominster, Charles Allen, Pliny Merrick, Emory 
Washburn, and Edward Mellen of Worcester. 



HIGHER COURTS. 39 



Superior Court. 

The Siiiierior Court was established in 1859, takinjj the place of the Court of 
Common Pleas in the judicial system of the Commonwealth. Its jurisdiction, 
original and appellate, is general, in both civil and criminal matters. Capital 
cases are the only criminal cases not triable in this court; and that is the only 
class of criminal cases which are tried in the Supreme Judicial Court. In civil 
matters its jurisdiction is cxclnsivo or concurrent with that of the lower courts, 
or with that of the Supremo Court. Until after the adoption of the present 
Constitutiou in 1820, the Supreme Judicial Court was the only court of general 
jurisdiction in this Commonwealth. In 1821 the circuit courts of Court of 
Common Pleas were abolished, and the Court of Common Pleas for the Com- 
monwealth was established. 

Until 1839 the Supreme Judicial Court had appellate jurisdiction over causes, 
both civil and criminal, tried in the C<jurt of Common Plca«. But by act of 
1839, chapter IGl, it was provided that "no appeal shall hereafter be allowed 
to the Supreme Judicial Court from any conviction in the Court of Common 
Pleas ;" and by act of 1840, chapter 87, the right of appeal from any judgment 
of the Court of Common Pleas upon the verdict of u jury in civil matters was 
taken away. After the last-named date a great majority of all jury trials 
occurred in the Court of Common Pleas, so long as that court existed, and now 
take place in the Superior Court. 

The jurisdiction of this court has been enlarged from time to time by the 
legislature, and now embraces nearly every species of litigation known to our 
courts, except cases in equity, which are within the exclusive jurisdiction of 
the Supreme Judicial Court. 

The judges of the Superior Court, from the county-, have been Charles Allen, 
chief justice, who died in 18G9 ; Charles Devcns, now attorney-general of the 
United States; Francis II. Dewey, and P. Emory Aldrich, who are now in 
office. Judge Allen was offered the position of chief justice of the Supreme 
Judicial Court, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Chief 
Justice Shaw in 1860, but he declined the honor, preferring to retain the 
Chief-Justiceship of the Superior Court. 

Superior Court of Judicature, now the Supreme Court. 
According to Judge Washburn, whose history has been often referred to in 
preparing these pages, there had been a Superior Court in the Colony and the 
Province from early times. It was in existence when this county was formed, 
and had original and appellate jurisdiction. Of course it had no special rela- 
tion to Worcester County, but held its sessions here annually, as in the other 
counties. It was necessary to make our judicial system complete. Its name, 
previous to the Revolution, was the "Superior Court of Judicature." Its first 
session in this couuty was held in the meeting-house, on the twenty-second of 
September, 1731. The judges, sa3's Wall, in "Reminiscences of Wor- 



40 COUNTY HISTORY. 



coster," were : "Benjamin L3-nde, chief justice ; Addington Davenport, Paul 
Dudley, Edmund Irving, and John Gushing." Daniel Gookin, son of Gen. 
Gookiu, the friend and patron of the Christian Indians, was sherilF. There 
were present "fifteen grand jurors, of whom ^lajor Jonas Rice of Worcester 
was foreman ; John Hubbard of Worcester being foreman of the petit jury. 
This court affirmed four judgments of the Common Pleas Court, on complaint, 
tried one indictment, and on the twenty-second adjourned, without day, after 
a session of two days." The only judge of this court, belonging to this county, 
was Jedcdiali lostcr of Brookficld, whoso term extended from 177G to 1779. 

In 1780, l)cforo the close of the Revolution, but after the colou}^ had cast off 
all connection with the king and the mother country, this court was and has 
since been known under tlic title of 

The Supreme Judici.\l Court. 
This tril)unal has alwaj's enjoyed a high reputation, not only in our own 
Commonwealth, l)ut throughout the country. INIany of its judges have been 
held in honor among the jurists of Europe. Its history does not belong to 
the county of Worcester, but in subsequent pages, several cases of great 
interest to the inhabitants of the county will receive our attention. Since the 
adoption of the State Constitution, in 1780, the following gentlemen, residents 
of AVorcester at the time, have been justices of the Supreme Court : — Levi 
Lincoln, the younger, afterwards governor; Benjamin F. Thomas, afterwards 
member of Congress from another district ; Pliny Merrick ; Dwight Foster, 
now living in Boston ; and Charles Devens, a member of President Hayes's 
cabinet. 

Courts of Probate and Insolvexcv. 

One of the judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas was generally 
Judge of Probate. The list of judges, with their term of office, here follows : 

John Chandlor of AVoodstock, ....... from 17;U to 1740 

Joseph AVildor, Sr., of Lancaster, ...... '■ 1740 to 1756 

John Chandler of Worcester, ....... " 17oG to 17G2 

John Chandler, Jr., of Worcester, ...... " 17G2 to 1775 

Jcdcdiab Foster of Brookfield, " 177.) to 1776 

Levi Lincohi, Sr.. of Worcester, ...... " J 770 to 1733 

Joseph Dorr of Ward, (now Auburn), ..... " 1783 to 1801 

Nathaniel Paine of Worcester, ...... " 1801 to 1836 

Ira M. Barton of Worcester " 183G to 1844 

Benjamin F. Thomas of Worcester, " 1844 to 1848 

Thomas Kinnicutt of Worcester, " 1848 to 1857 

Dwight Foster of Worcester, " 18J7 to 1858 

Henry Chapia of Worcester, " 1858 to 1878 

Adin Thayer was appointed in tlie autumn of 1878, on the decease of Judge 
Chapin. 



DISTRICT COURTS. 41 



In 185.5 the logislatiirc orcaletl a court of insolvency, which l)cgan its work 
July 1, 1850. Hon. A. II. Bullock was the first judge. He was soon suc- 
ceeded hy Hon. Williaua W. Rice, who continued in the office till the middle 
of 18,'>8, when this court was merged in the Court of Probate and Insolvency. 

The registers of probate and insolvency have been these : John Chandler, 
the second judge; Timothy Paine, Clark Chandler, Rev. Joseph Wheeler, 
and Theophilus "Wheeler, his son, whose united terms extended to sixty years, 
from 1775 to 1836; Charles G. Prentiss, John J. Piper, and Charles E. 
Stevens, the present incumbent. Austin L. Rogers was the tirst register of 
insolvency, and was succeeded by Mr. Piper; Charles E. Stevens, Esq., was 
assistant register from 1859, and in 1869 was chosen to the office of register 
of the consolidated court. He was re-elected in 1878. This court holds its 
sessions in Worcester twice a month, except in August ; in Fitchburg once each 
month, except in July and August ; at Templeton, Barre, and Milford twice each 
year. 

Central District Court. 

The courts whose jurisdiction is confined to the city of "Worcester, will 
find their place in the history of the town or city. Police courts and muni- 
cipal courts are of local interest. But the Central District Court of the 
count}', which was constituted in 1872, comprises the city of Worcester and the 
circumjacent towns of Millbury, Sutton, Auburn, Leicester, Paxton, West Boyls- 
ton, Ilolden, and Shrewsbury. The Hon. Hartley Williams, who had been judge 
of the Municipal Court, has been judge of the Central District Court from its 
organization to the present time. The clerks have been two : Hon. Clark Jillson, 
and Theodore S. Johnson, Esq. The latter holds the office at the present time. 

There are five other district courts in the county. The first South Wor- 
cester district includes the towns of Webster, Southbridge, Sturbridge, 
Charlton, Dudley, and Oxford. The Hon. Clark Jillson is the judge. The 
sessions of the court are held in Webster and Southbridge. 

The second South Worcester Court has jurisdiction over Blackstonc, 
Uxbridgc, Douglas, and Northbridge. The court sits at Blackstone and 
Uxbridgo. The judge is Hon. Arthur A. Putnam. 

The third South Worcester district eml^races the towns of ISIiiford, jNIendon, 
and Upton. The court holds its sessions at Milford. Hon. Charles A. 
Dewey is the judge. 

The first East Worcester District Court is for the accommodation of West- 
borough, Xorthborough, Southborough, and Grafton. It sits at AVesfborough 
and Grafton. The judge is Hon. Dexter Newton. 

The second East Worcester District includes Clinton, Lancaster, Sterling, 
Harvard, Bolton, and Berlin. Hon. Charles G. Stevens is judge, and Frank 
E. Howard, Esq., clerk. The court sits at Clinton. 

Fitchburg has a Police Court, of which Thornton K. Ware is, and has long 
been, the justice. The other towns have trial justices. 



42 



COUNTY HISTORY. 



These district courts hold a position between that of justices of the peace, 
on the one side, and the superior courts on the other. They are a great con- 
venience, because they iirovidc a tribunal presided over by a lawyer, and, 
therefore, more competent than an ordinary justice of the peace ; they bring 
the seat of the court nearest to the residence of the parties interested, and 
they greatly relieve the Superior Court, whose docket is crowded with cases. 
It is believed that they are generally held in respect by the b:u- and connuunity. 
As population increases and cases multiply, the needs of society will be met, as 
the district court system is capable of indefinite expansion. If necessary, 
the districts may be lessened iu size and increased in number ; and the courts 
may be held daily like police and municipal courts. By extending their juris- 
dictions for them, relief might be gained for the higher courts. 

The judicial system, thus outlined, has gradually reached its jiresent shajie, as 
popular need and legislative wisdom have determined. The oi)joet is to protect 
society, guard the rights of all, and secure justice between man and man. 
Perhaps but little remains to be done by law to promote these ends. 

County Officers. 
The following table contains the names of the various county officers, ex- 
cept judges and registers of probate, which last have been inserted iu another 
place. Treasurers and registers of deeds have always been chosen by the 
people. Since 1857 the other officei's given in this list, except the criers of 
courts, have been elected in the same manner : — 



District Attorneys, since the adoption of the State Constitution in 17S0. 



John Spraguc. 
Daniel Eigolow. 
Nathaniel Paine, 
Edward Bangs, 
William C. White, . 
Rejoice Newton, 

Daniel Gookin, 
Benjamin Flagg, 
John Chandler, 
Gardner Chandler, . 
Simeon Dwight, 
William Grcenleaf, . 

John Chandler, 2d,» 
Tiiuoth}- Paine, 
Levi Lincoln, . 
Joseph Allen, . 
Wilham Stedman, . 



1779 
1801 
1811 
1819 



1731 
1743 
1751 
17G2 
177o 
1778 

1731 
1752 
1775 
177G 
1810 



Edward D. Bangs, . 
Plin}' Merrick, 
Ezra Wilkinson, 
Benjamin F. Newtou, 
P. Emory Aldrich, . 
John II. Matthews, . 

Sheriffs. 
John Sprague, 
Dwight Foster, 
William Caldwell, . 
Tlionias W. Ward, . 
Calvin Willard, 

Clerks of Court. 
Francis Blake, 
Ahijah Bigelow, 
Jose[)h G. Kendall, . 
CharlcsW. Hartshorn, 
Joseph Mason,. 



1824 E. B. Stoddard, 

1825 P. Emory Aldrich, . 
1844 Hartley Williams, . 
1851 I William W. Piee, . 
1853 Hamilton B. Staples, 
1855 



185t) 
1857 
18G6 
1868 
1873 



1788 
179.' 
1793 
1805 
1824 



1814 
1817 
1832 
1848 
1852 



John W. Lincoln, . 1844 
James W.Est.abrook, 1851 
GeorgcW. Richardson, 1853 
J. S. C. Knowlton, . 1857 
A. B. R. Sprague, . 1871 



John A. Dana, . 1877 

Assistant clerks from 1847, 

Wm. A. Smith, 17 j-ears ; 

John A. Dana, 12 3-cars, 

and William T. Harlow. 



* Tlio first John Chandler (of Wooilstock) was diiof justice of tbo Court of Common Picas. 
His son, John, Jr., hero marked 2(1, lived in Worcester, and was clerk eleven years, when bo 



COUNTY BUILDINGS. 



43 



John Chandler, 2d.* 
Thuothy Paine, 
Nathan Baldwin, 
Daniel Clapp, . 



John Chandler, 2d, 
John Chandler, 3d. 
Nathan Periy, . 



Nathan Ile^'wood, 
Samuel Briggs, 
Ephraim Mower, 



1731 
1761 
1775 
1784 



1731 



1775 



1750 
1779 
1800 



Registers of Deeds. 

Oliver Fiskc, . . 1816 j Harvey B. Wilder, 
Artcmas Ward, . 1821 Charles A. Chase, 
Alexander Il.Wilder, 184G Harvey B. AVilder, 



County Treasurers. 

Samuel Allen, . .1790 
Anthony Chase, . 1831 

Criers of the Courts. 

Silas Brooks, . . 1807 
Thomas Chamberlain, 1838 

County Buildings. 



Charles A. Chase, 
Edward A. Brown, 



Henry K. Newcomb, 
1855, until . 



1874 
1876 

1877 



1865 
1876 



1867 



1 . Coil rt-Houf<es . 

The fii'st move towards furnishing the county with necessary public buildings 
has been briefly referred to. There being no court-house, the first sessions of 
the two courts of the Sessions of the Peace and of the Common Pleas were 
held in the old meeting-house. The first house of worship was near Trumbull 
Square. The second was built in 1719, and stood on the site of the present 
Old South Church. It was in this second meeting-house, which stood till 1763, 
that the courts were held. There being no jail, the Court of Sessions, in 1734, 
hired a part of the house of Judge Jennison for the confinement of pris- 
oners. 

At the August term, 1732, of the Court of General Sessions of the Peace, 
measures were taken for the erection of a court-house. Judge Jennison gave 
the land, and the building was put up in 1733. This house, the dimensions of 
which have been given already, stood near the site of the present brick court- 
house. The location has always been styled " Court Hill." The house was 
opened for public use, February 8, 1734, when the first judge, John Chandler, 
made an address appropriate to the occasion. 

In 1751, this building was sujierseded by a new one of somewhat larger 
measure, being forty feet by thirty-six. This and the former house stood 
somewhat in front of the cast tier of the present public buildings on the row. 

became Judge Chaudler. His sou, Jobu (3d), succeeded his father as judge of probate in 1762. 
His graudfafher had held the tiame office. 

• This Johu Chaudler is often styled Jr , in the records, as is his son John. To avoid mistake, I 
note this Johu (son of the judge of Woodstock), first clerk of the courts, county treasurer and 
register of deeds, as ad. The third Johu Chandler, often called Jr., I have marked 3d. Keeping 
this in mind, the reader will avoid perplexity. 



44 COUNTY mSTORY. 



A larger court-house being uccdcd, and the county having increased in 
ability to erect one more spacious and elegant, measures were taken, in 1801, 
which resulted in the present north or brick building. The corner-stone was 
laid Oct. 1, 1801. The building committee were Isaiah Thomas, William 
Caldwell, then sheriff, and Hon. Salem Towne, State Senator. The structure 
was forty-eight and one-half feet wide, by fifty and one-half long, with suffi- 
cient height for suitable rooms ou the first and second floors. It was a well- 
proportioned and well-built building, with all needed accommodations; and 
with its dome surmounted by the goddess of justice holding even the scales, 
made an elegant appearance. The chief justice of the Supreme Court, Robert 
Treat Paine, at the opening of the court-house, Sept. 27, 1803, made a 
dedicatory address, in which he remarked that the " grandeur of the building" 
was a "striking proof of the prosperity of the inhabitants." 

Need of room required the building of an addition, notwithstanding the 
erection of the granite court-house in 1844-5. The house was moved back 
forty feet, and sixteen feet added to the front, giving a depth of over sixty-six 
feet. The roof was also raised four feet, and the whole appearance improved. 
The sessions for the trial of criminal eases arc held in this building. 

The fourth building for the use of the courts is the granite court-house, which 
is truly a temple of justice. The county commissioners, — Messrs. "William 
Crawford, David Davenport and Charles Thurber, with the special commis- 
sioners, Stephen Davis and Jerome Gardner, — in Fcbruaiy, 1842, voted to 
build on a plan substantially like that of the present noble edifice, which befits 
a county so large and wealthy as Worcester. The estimates amounted to sixty- 
five thousand dollars for the building. The entire cost of putting the house 
into complete order for use as well as ornament, was not far from one hundred 
thousand dollars. It stands on laud formerly occupied by the dwelling of 
Isaiah Thomas, which was removed to the rear. 

The court-house was completed for occupancy iu the summer of 1845, and 
was occupied for the first time by the Supreme Judicial Court in the autumn. 
The Hon. Lemuel Shaw, then chief justice, delivered the address of dedica- 
tion, September 30, at the opening of the session. This was then, and is still, 
one of the most stately and well-arranged court-houses in the State. The 
material is Quincy granite, and the architecture is said to be a variation from 
that of the '"Tower of the Winds" at Athens. 

The building is about fifty-seven feet in width, and one hundred and eight 
feet deep from front to rear. The whole height, from the ground to the eaves, 
including base, columns, body and entablature, is forty-one feet, lacking a few 
inches. The apex of the pediment is eight feet higher, making the whole 
forty-eight and two-thirds feet. The whole building, except the rear cud, is 
made of hammered stone. 

The shafts of the six immense pillars in front are twenty-five feet high, in 
one piece ; they are three and one-half feet in diameter i;bovc the scope of (he 



JAILS AND PRISONS. 45 

base, and two feet eleven inches in diameter below the scope of the neclv. The 
length of (lie columns, iiic-huling base and capital, is thirty feet. 

There was some difEculty in transporting the pillars to the front of the 
buildin"-. They were taken, one at a time, from the central station at Wash- 
ino'ton Square, by an ox and horse team. As each pillar weighed nineteen 
tons, it was feared that the wooden bridge on Front Street would break down 
under them ; therefore the teams came through Summer Street to Lincoln Square, 
where the brook was spanned by an arch of stone. Having reached the square, 
it was found that the ascent of " Court Hill," on the north side, was too steep ; 
then the load was moved up Main Street to the foot of the south slope of the 
hill. Arriving here, it was impossible to turn the team and load, on account 
of the narrowness of the street. It was necessary to go up the street as far as 
the city hall, where room enough was found to turn. Proceeding thence down 
the street, the heavy loads were laid safely down at the spots most convenient 
for their erection. 

Fitchburg was made a shire town in 1856. For some time the town (or city) 
hall was occupied by the courts. But a court-house being necessary, measures 
were taken by the county commissioners for its erection. 

Worcester County Jails. 

The first prisoners sentenced by the Court of Sessions were confined, as we 
have seen, in a part of Judge Jennison's house, in connection with which a 
" cage " was built in the rear part. The " liberties of the yard " reached twenty 
feet on the south side and east end. This house stood near the court-house. 

In 1732, at the February session of the Sessions Court, it was ordered that 
"in lieu of the prison before appointed, the cage, so called, already built, be 
removed to the chamber of the house of Deacon Daniel Ileywood, innholder, 
and be the jail until the chamber be suitably furnished for a jail, and then 
the chamber be the gaol for the county, and the cage remain as one of the 
apartments." The inn of Deacon Ileywood was on the site of the Bay State 
House. Here the prisoners, happily but a few, Averc kept a year or more, 
until a regular jail was built, in the year 1733. This was on the west side of 
Lincoln Street, perhaps fifty rods north-cast of the railroad station. The 
building was forty-one by eighteen feet. The part used as a prison was eigh- 
teen feet square, with a stone dungeon underneath. This served the wants of 
the county for nearly twenty years. 

A new jail was built in 1753, thirty-eight feet long by twenty-eight 
feet wide, and seven feet studs. The south end was " studded with joists, six 
inches square, set five inches apart, and filled with stone and mortar." The 
prison was as strong as a profusion of oak plank, spikes and iron gratings could 
make it. This building was further down the street than the other. 

As the county grew in population, and especially as the number of vagrants 
and malefactors increased, after the Revolution, it was found necessary to have 



46 COUNTY HISTORY. 



more room for prisoners, and to make the plaec of confinement more secure. 
Accordingly the Court of Sessions, at the December term, 1784, provided for 
erecting a stone building, sixty-four l)y thirty-two feet, three stories high. It 
was located on the south side of Lincoln Square, close to the present track of 
the Worcester and Nashua Railroad. "This," says Wall, "was completed 
Sept. 4, 1788, and considered a great affair. The lower story was divided 
into four arches, crosswise, forming four rooms, for the safe custody of persons 
convicted of, or committed for, gross crimes. The second story was divided 
in the same manner, — into four rooms, — but not arched with stone; these 
were for the keeping of debtors, who had not the liberty of the yard, and for 
persons committed for small offences. The upper story had an entry or walk 
from end to end, and was divided into eight convenient rooms for the use of 
prisoners for debt, who had the liberty of the jail yard. This yard extended 
so far as to include the jailer's house on the east side, and the meeting-house 
of the second parish (First Unitarian)." The jailer had a separate house, 
which was then considered a "handsome, well-furnished building." "The 
Massachusetts Spy," printed at the time by Isaiah Thomas, speaks in the fol- 
lowing strain concerning this jail : 

"This is judged to be at least the second stone building of consequence in tlie 
Commonwealth, none being thought superior to it, except the stone chapel in Boston ; 
that is built of hewn stone ; the stones of this one mostlj- as thcv wore taken from the 
quarr3-. The master-workman, John Parks of Groton, has acquired great credit for 
the ingenuity and iiik'lit}' with which he has executed the work. A great saving must 
he expcrieneod from the new buikling, as witiioiit some convulsion of nature, it is not 
probable that it will need any repairs, excepting the roof, for two or three centuries. 
The capaciousness of the building will make it answer for a workhouse, and save the 
county the expense of erecting one." 

But there arc causes more potent than a "convulsion of nature," which cause 
the demolition of old, and the erection of new buildings. A revolution of 
taste, a change of style, new ideas of prison discipline, a growing popukition, 
with its proportionate increase of idle, disorderly, and criminal persons ; one 
or all of these causes combined, led to the eree^tion of a house of correction, 
in 1819, only thirtj^-five years after the building of the massive stone jail. 
This building was of brick, fifty-three by twenty-seven feet, with the appoint- 
ments of a workhouse ; and was placed where the present spacious jail and house 
of correction stands on Summer Street. In 1832 the whole interior was re- 
built, after the plan of the now disused State Prison at Charlestown. This 
was the result of a "convulsion" of sentiment on the part of experimenters 
in prison discipline. Forty cells, seven feet by three and one-h.alf feet in size, 
with three rooms for close confinement in the basement, were put in to ac- 
commodate increasing numbers. Three j'cars later, arrangements were made 
to use a part of this building for a jail, when the old, grand structure on Lin- 



PRISONERS FOR DEBT. 47 

coin Siiiiarc, which was not to need repairs, except the roof, in two or three 
centuries, was taken down, and the stones built into a new house in a distant 
part of the city. 

The jail and house of correction answered the purpose until 1873, when it 
was altered, remodeled, and enlarged to its present ample dimensions. The 
cost of the alterations and additions amounted to about two hundred thousand 
dollars. 

When Fitchburg liccarac a half-shire town, a jail and house of correction, 
as well as a court-house were indispensal)le. The prison or jail in that place 
is a model building. It is both a jail and a house of correction. 

The jailers and keepers of the house of cori-ection, in Worcester, are on 
record since 1746. Eeforc that time it is supposed that the sheriff looked 
after the wants and the safe-keeping of prisoners by deputy, but it is not 
known who were employed. Between 1748 and 1788, the jailers were Luke 
Brown, Luke Brown, Jr., and Samuel Brown, son of the latter. The first 
keeper of the new stone jail was Lemuel Rice. Dea. Nathan Heard came into 
the oflice in 17 98, and his sou, Gen. Nathan Heard, succeeded in 1812. Asahel 
Bellows had the charge of the prisoners from 1824 to 1835, when the stone 
jail was taken down, and the occupants were transferred to the house of cor- 
rection on Summer Street. The latter building is used both as a jail and a 
house of correction. John F. Clark was keeper of the house of correction 
from 1819, when it was opened, till 1837, and jailer two years. Asa Mat- 
thews succeeded in both capacities, for ten or twelve years, when Rufus 
Carter M'as appointed. He held the office twenty-two years. Charles N. Hair 
followed him, in 1872, and remained till 1875, when Gen. A. B. R. Sprague, 
sheriff, took the whole superintendence of the institution. 

There is a chapel in the jail capable of seating several hundred persons. 

PnisoNErs FOR Debt. 

In an old record book, preserved in the jail at Worcester, there is a long 
list of commitments to prison, giving the offence or cause for which the parties 
were confined. The greater number were for debt, but in the list is to be 
found almost every kind of misdemeanor by which the peace of society is dis- 
turbed. 

In the first column are the names of the offenders. Then comes a tlcscription 
of them as to their calling, business or standing ; their height and complexion ; 
their i-esidcnce ; the authority by whom they were committed ; their offence ; 
and how they were discharged. Among the names arc many of the most respect- 
able family names in the county. Some of the occupations were as follows : 
Husbandman, laborer, physician, yeoman, mariner, school-master, gentleman, 
trader, taverner, jeweller, blacksmith, joiner, spinster, cordwaiuer, esquire, 
carpenter, etc. 

Some of the offences for which the parties were sent to prison, were these : 



48 COUNTY HISTORY. 



Countcrfoitin£r, and passing bad m()nc3% a very common crime ; theft ; fornica- 
tion ; abusing a man, Ijy foul language probably, though this is not specified; 
forffcry ; fighting ; adultery, very uncommon ; not paying taxes ; abusing a 
wife, one case ; stealing a horse ; assault and battery ; breaking open a jewel- 
ler's shop. 

About 1785-0, many men were committed for treason. This sounds form- 
idable till wo understand the matter, when it seems less heinous, though to our 
fathers the case seemed almost desperate. The treason was in connection with 
the "Shays' Rebellion." At this late day it will do no harm to mention the names 
of some of the most conspicuous men involved in that blundering mode of recti- 
fying pul)lic evils and Avrongs. Col. Luke Drury was one of the alleged 
trait^)rs. Another was Capt. Jacob Goulding ; and Rev. Caleb Curtis and John 
Dunsmoor, gentlemen, were in Iho same category. These, with many others, 
were sent to^Boston jail. It was probably thought they would be more securely 
lodged in Boston than in "Worcester. A year or two earlier it would have 
been difficult even to arrest these men in some towns of the county. Luko 
Chamberlain was tried and acquitted by the Supreme Court. The others were 
probably discharged on proper recognizances, when the danger was past, and 
the authority of the State government properly vindicated. 

The reasons for discharge of the prisoners arc given in connection with tho 
names. These are some of them : Giving new security ; consent of parties ; 
habeas corpus ; benefit of the law ; swearing, or taking the poor debtor's oath ; 
order from the high sheriff; bail ; by the plaintiff; sometimes by death. But 
a larire number escaped by " breaking jail." This mode of discharge occurred 
so often, that one finds it hard to doubt the complicity of the authorities. Cer- 
tainly, there was little use in having such jails or jailers, if the object was to 
hold men in confinement before trial, or after conviction. If a worthless tramp 
or sneak-thief showed a disposition to escape from jail and take himself out 
of tho county, possibly the officers in charge were not always so vigihuit as 
they might have been. 

As sard above, a large proportion of the prisoners were committed for debt. 
Some were fraudulent debtors, who wilfully refused to p.ay their creditors, and 
they were justly confined. A law to reacli such cases is still in force. But 
most of tho debtor class were "poor debtors"; men willing, but unable to 
pay acknowledged claims against them. 

This ancient method of forcing payment, which was brought from England, 
has been discarded in recent times, and it now seems to have been a relic of 
barl)arism. The process was to put a debtor in prison, in the hope that ho 
would find some way to make payment. Perhaps he had concealed some prop- 
erty which the creditor could not lay hands on ; perhaps his fiither, his chil- 
dren, or some other relatives or friends would come forward and pay the debt. 
Possibly, rather than take the "poor dol)t()r's oath," which might involve per- 
jury, or fix a stigma upon his name, the man would find some way of satisfymg 




FIKST COURT- HUISK. 

Built in Worcester ii\ 1732-3, on the site where tlic ine&ent Court-Houses stand. 



THE WILDER CASE. 4!) 



his creditor. These motives jjromptcd to the measure of imprisoning men for 
debt. It is quite possible tliat malicious men sometimes gratified their spite 
by imprisoning those who were obnoxious to them. But certainly the worst 
l)lace to put an honest debtor in was a prison. lie was taken from his busi- 
ness and placed where there was little chance for work or useful occupation of 
any kind. Often, after weeks or months of confinement, the debtor was 
released, and the creditor had his "labor for his pains." That is, the trouljle 
incurred in the arrest and imprisonment of his poor neighljor brought iiim noth- 
ing but the enmity of the debtor and his family, and perhaps the reproach of 
the community. It was a poor way to collect debts, and was abandoned by 
almost universal consent. 

But the i-eader of the old '' Records " will find honored names in the list of 
debtors. One was a general and high-sheriff of the county. Another was a 
revolutionary patriot, held in respect and esteem in his time, and remembered 
with honor long after his decease. Was there no way for him who had served 
his country well, and periled his life in her cause, to be set free? Alas, but 
one way w-as found : "Discharged l)y death " stands against his name. It was 
easier for posterity to "give him a stone " than for his contemporaries to "give 
him bread." 

A case which occurred at a later day, and is still remembered by many per- 
sons somewhat advanced in life, may be related more at length. It was the 
case of a man extensively known at the time, and not yet forgotten ; one who 
was a magnificent man in his way, and knew how to turn his imprisonment 
from a cause of shame to a scene of triumph. 

Sampson Y. S. Wilder was born in Lancaster, but early in life went to Bos- 
ton, where he began a career full of enterprise and crowned with wonderful 
success : but which finally met a sad reverse, and left him hopelessly in debt, 
though without a suspicion of dishonesty. His life is sketched in a modest and 
interesting manner by his daughter, I\Irs. Haynes, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, 
in a work wdiich will reward the reader. 

In the time of Gen. Jackson's ascendency in our national politics, Mr. 
Wilder was a business man of large means and extensive plans. His fortunes 
were involved with the success or ruin of the United States Bank, and Avith the 
continuance or repeal of the protective tariff. At the time of the great panic 
or crash, about 1837, he was a largo dealer in cotton, and was exposed to 
all the fluctuations which then made Inisiness extremely hazardous. Beino- in- 
quired of one day concerning his property, he remarked that he did not know 
how much he was worth. It might turn out that he had half a million, and it 
might happen that he was worth nothing. It proved to be the ebb-tide of 
his tbrtunes ; as happened to thousands of others, his richly-laden bark was 
stranded. All was lost but integrity and honor. 

Among his creditors was a man of large property living in Boston. This 
man, whose name need not be mentioned, was a dealer in liquors, and in some 



50 COUNTY HISTORY. 



way, pcrliaps hy lending money, had a claim of some magnitude against Mr. 
Wilder. In the settlement of the l)iisiiK>ss, this man refused all accommoda- 
tion, and insisted on the payment of the del)t. He probably thought that in 
the wi'cck of a fortune like that of Mr. "Wilder, something must have been 
saved which could be opened to light and extorted, if sufficient pressure were 
brought to bear on tlie victim. Therefore he had Mv. Wilder cast into the 
Worcester jail. 

Mr. Wilder was a large, hearty man, delighting in activity, and needing free- 
dom in the open air. Confinement to him was doubly irksome. It began to tell 
upon his health. The creditor was appealed to by his own friends to consent 
to a release, but he was incxoralde. His theory was that ]\Ir. Wilder or his 
friends could find means to liquidate the claim whenever they were ready. The 
question came up : Why would not Mr. Wilder take the poor debtor's oath ? He 
replied that he could not do it as a truthful man, and he would not lie and per- 
jure himself to save his life. Then why not part with all he had, and pay his 
creditor as far as the funds would go? The answer Avas, because the things 
which were valuable to him, would be of little or no use to another, though 
prized by himself. They were gifts or kccp-sakes, and yet they were property 
in such a sense that he could not swear that he had nothing. 

At length the prisoner's health began to fail. lie asked for no mercy, begged 
for no privilege. By misfortune he had become unal)le to pay his debts. It 
was a grief to him that any should lose by means of his inal)ility to pay ; but 
he could suffer with dignity, and maintain a proper self-respect. The odium 
was all on t'le side of the creditor. j\Ir. Wilder was known beyond the bounds 
of the State, and the story of his confinement aroused indignation against the 
Shylock who was insisting not only on the "pound of flesh," but reducing ca 
stalwart frame to leanness. The pressure was so great that the friends of the 
creditor finally prevailed on him to go to the jail and grant a release. He 
came up, and with some parade of his lenity, evidently expected a show of 
"•ratitude. But he met with a different reception. ]Mr. Wilder showed him 
the folly and cruelty of his conduct. 111! the man began to feel that he was the 
culprit. His tears began to flow, and when sufficiently subdued, ^Ir. Wilder, 
in his lordly but l)enignant way, exclaimed, "Get down on your knees and beg 
pardon of your God and of me, for your hard-hearted conduct, and I will pray 
for you." The man obeyed, and Mr. Wilder, kneeling beside him, offered a 
fervent supplication for his repentant oppressor. Rising, he accepted his re- 
lease, took the man by the hand, and bade him go in peace. The creditor 
went home a wiser, perhaps a better man. 

A word more in regard to county jails, houses of correction, and other 
topics, will come up in course. A recent change in the law, so far as female 
prisoners are concerned, has worked a revolution in our prison system. The 
State has erected a spacious woman's [irison in the town of Sherborn, to which 
.the females, condemned for misdemeanor and crimes, have been removed from 



INTERESTING CASES. 51 

all (lio jails iu the Coiunionwealth. The friends of the new measure, especisilly 
the women who have given much attention to the sul)ject of prison discipline, 
exi)ect favorable results. The plan has been carried into effect in the face of 
much doubt and some opposition ; yet the advocates of the experiment ai-e 
hopeful. They believe that a prison especially planned for women, and placed 
under the 'control of qualified persons of their own sex, will ni)t only free the 
prisoners from many unfavorable influences, but will open the way for the 
adoption of many remedial measures for their reformation. It is claimed 
that the short terms of imprisonment, though serving as punishment, do not 
give time for the breaking up of old hal)its, and confirming the reformed in 
ways of self-denial, and self-respect, and good morals. The expectation is 
that many will be so improved, while in confinement, that they will return, 
on the expiration of their sentence, if not before, prepared to be good mem- 
bers of their families, and a blessing rather than a moral nuisance to the 
comnuuiity. The good wishes of all friends of humanity wait on the 
experiment. 



CHAPTER VII. 

INTERESTING CASES BEFORE COURTS IN WORCESTER COUNTY. 

A FEW cases, gathered from the records of the " Court of General Sessions 
of the Peace," have been referred to on a preceding page. There was no 
special interest in those cases in a legal point of view, and they were given 
merely for the purpose of showing the state of morals, and the scope of the 
court in matters of schooling and supporting public worship. In the present 
chapter, a cursory view of a few eases will be presented which were of greater 
import. All had points of interest at the time ; and though the parties to 
them have long been dead, and nearly all of them forgotten, 3'et the recital 
will never fail to challenge the attention of unchanging human nature. 

Following the order of time, the first case to be noticed is that of Hop- 
kins vs. Ward, to which attention was called by the kindness of Hon. George 
F. Hoar. The trial is reported in an article entitled an " Ante-Revolutionary 
Case," published in the "Law Reporter" of 1859-60, from which the following 
statement is condensed : — 

Case of Hopkins vs. Ward. 

Stephen Hopkins and Samuel Ward were distinguished men in the annals 
of Rhode Island. Hopkins had a national fame as one of the signers of the 
Declaration of Independence. Both were governors of Rhode Island and 



52 COUNTY HISTORY. 



Providence Plantations. The particulars of the trial arc too numerous. to be 
])r('s(>iitc(l in detail. In matters of controversy in relation to the public con- 
diii t of Hopkins, which had been censured by Ward, the former issued a 
pamphlet, in which his course was explained and defended. In the same pub- 
lication, Ward was severely blamed for failing to serve the pui'lic, and for 
tindiu"- fault with those who were faithfully bearing the burden of afl'airs. 
This was in the time of the last French and Indian war, — 1755-G3. 

It appears that Lord Loudon, who was commander-in-chief of the British 
forces in North America, with Gen. Abcrcrombie as second in command, called 
on Gov. Hopkins of Rhode Island for a number of soldiers, as well as teams 
for transporting nniiiitions of war. There was dclaj-, and the call was repeated 
towards the close of an inefficient campaign. The call was then answered l)y 
Gov. Hopkins, but too late to be of any service, and Loudon refused to allow 
any compensation. This was in 17.5G. 

Some time previous, a lot of French prisoners, in custody of the Rhode 
Island authorities, were allowed to escape, or were set free, by Gov. Hopkins, 
or through his influence. 

Two per cent, was allowed by the Rhode Island Government to the "Com- 
mittee of War " on all monej' which passed tlirough their hands. Gov. Hop- 
kins was a member of this committee. One of the sons of the governor was 
a conunissary, and received the usual compensation. Besides, he made au 
extra charge for convoying an amount of specie from New York. Another son 
was his assistant. These facts M'ere used by Ward, in conversation, to the 
prejudice of Hopkins ; and he, fearing their effect on the public mind, pub- 
lished the pamphlet referred to above, in his own justitication, and in severe 
censure of his antagonist. 

Ward's pamphlet was in reply, and was written with ability and great bit- 
terness. Hoi)kins, in closing, had said, "It is not the pleasure or the profit 
that attends the important office that I at i)resent sustain, but my duty to God 
and my country, that prevents my deserting my post at this time, when diffi- 
culties of almost every kind, from abroad and at home, involve an unhappy 
people." With this passage before him, Ward closed his pamphlet with these 
w(n-ds, "I shall conclude with observing that when the governor of a Colonj' 
has so little regard to his character as to print absolute falsehoods, and is so 
fond of his post as to .stick at nothing to keep it, the world will Judge- what 
sense he has of his duty to God and his country." 

At the ensuing election, Mr. Hopkins lost his election, lacking four hundred 
votes. He was intensely angrj', and said that it would not be a crime for him 
to kill JMr. AVard. This was testified by more than one witness. There was 
no proof that he threatened to kill, but that he considered the offence and 
injury so great that killing would be justifiable homicide. 

Hoi)kins began his suit, June 20, 1757, before the Court of Common Pleas 
of Worcester County. The oljject was to get away from the bitter prejudices 



HOPKINS AND WARD. 53 

which prcviiiled in Iihotlc Island, whicli would make it ahiiost impossible to 
find an impartial jiirv. V>y a liition of law, he alleged that the pamphlet of 
Ward, which was lihelloiis, had heeu issued at Newport, in the county of 
Worcester. lie recited his complaint, mentioning the various charges and 
insinuations made against him, and, ia claiming special damages, alleged that 
his defeat lis candidate for the governorship, on the first Wednesday of the 
preceding May, was caused by the publication. He claimed damages to the 
amount of £5,000. 

The Court of Common Pleas at that time consisted of John Chandler of 
Worcester, the second judge of that name : Edward IlartwcU of Lunenlnirg, 
formerly of Lancaster ; Thomas Steele of Leicester, and Timothy Ruggles of 
Ilardwick. 

The lawyers who managed the case of Hopkins were Edmund Trowbridge, 
whose fame as a lawyer towers up over the wastes of a century like a moun- 
tain over the intervening country, and John Apliu of Rhode Island. Mr. 
Ward emplo3'ed Benjamin Pratt, one of the foremost members of the bar in the 
Province, and afterwards celebrated as the chief justice of New York. His 
junior was Henry Ward of Rhode Island. 

Ward being put on his defence, denied that he was actuated by malice in 
what he had published, and pleaded the truthfulness of his statements. In his 
replication, Hopkins denied the truthfulness of Wards alleged libels, asserted 
that they were malicious, and put himself on his country. Ward did likewise. 
The court then adjourned to the second Tuesday in September. 

Wiien the trial came on. Ward admitted the publication. The defeat of 
Hopkins as candidate for the office of governor was proved by a clerk who 
was concerned in counting, or certifying the count of the votes. There is no 
proof of malice on record. The defendant then brought evidence to sustain 
the charges or statements contained in his pamphlet. First, he proved that 
Hopkins, as member of the Committee of War, had taken his portion of the 
two per cent, on all public money which passed through the hands of the com- 
mittee ; second, that the French prisoners were released, as Ward had alleged ; 
third, that the son of Hopkins had received larger pay for the transportation 
of specie than others would have charged; fourthly, that one of his sons M'as 
employed as conmiissary, and another as assistant. 

Another matter was broached, the olyect of which is not apparent : but it is 
conjectured that the design of the defendant was to raise a prejudice in the 
minds of the judges and jury against Hopkins as a man who was tainted with 
disloyalty to the king. One witness testified that he heard Hopkins ask, with 
warmth, " What have the king and parliament to do with making a law or laws 
to govern us by, any more than the Mohawks have? And, if the Jlohawks 
should make a law or laws to govern us, we w-ere as much obliged to oI)ey 
them as any law or laws the king and parliament coidd make." He had said, 
further, "that as our forefathers came from Lcydeu, and Avere no charge to 



54 COUNTY HISTORY. 



Enjrland, the States of Holland had as good a right to claim us as England 
had." 

The jury found for the defendant, giving costs of suit. Judgment ruled 
accordingly. Hopkins then appealed to the Superior Court of Judicature, and 
entered into recognizance to prosecute his appeal with effect. This, however, 
he failed to do, and hence the following record: "The plaintifl", by his attor- 
ney, prayed leave to discontinue his suit, ho being unprepared for trial. 
Granted. It is, therefore, considered by the court that tlie said Samuel Ward 
recover against the said Stephen Hopkins costs taxed at £22 13s. 9(Z. Execu- 
tion issued, September 13, 17C0." 

The reader will recall the signature of " Step : Hopkins," in trembling hand, 
to the immortal Declaration of 1770. He was in pulilic life from 1731 to 1785, 
more than half a century. It will be noted that none of the charges of AVard 
alleged any criminal or unpatriotic conduct, and might safely have been left to 
die without notice. The whole affair was a political squabble, and both par- 
ties to the case were afterwards in public life. But the opinions of Gov. Hop- 
kins in relation to the authorit}- of king and parliament in 1756, or twenty 
years before the Declaration of Independence, are worthy of special notice. 
Though brought forward to injure him in the view of the court, they arc now 
among his titles to honor and renown. 

The Spooneu Case. 

This case is the most celebrated of an^' in the judicial annals of Worcester 
County. It was the occasion of universal horror and indignation at the time 
of its occurrence, and after a huiulred years have passed, the story awakens 
the same passions as were then prevalent. The plan of murder was deliln-rate. 
yet short-sighted ; it exhibited much cunning, yet had in it the elements of 
detection ; the prime mover was urged on by a grim determination which bent 
the agents of her crime to her own unyielding will, yet was she troubled by 
retarding spasms of conscience ; her motive was not only u fierce spirit of re- 
venge against her husband for the greatest wrong a wife can suffer, but an un- 
wifeiy passion for another and a younger man. Her position in society made 
her deed more conspicuous ; her spirit, sense, and beauty, enhanced the per- 
sonal interest of the story, and the touching incident of her merited death, 
involving the life of her unborn child, while awakening a mis[)laccd sympathy 
for the criminal, gave an additional horror to the tragic event. 

Mrs. Bathsiica or Bathsheba Spooner was the daughter of the celebrated 
Hon. Timothy Ruggles, known in the height of his success and prosperity as 
Brigadier lluggles. He was the son of the Rev. Timothy Ruggles, the minister 
of the first i)arish in Rochester, and was born October 11, 1711. At the age 
of twenty-one he was graduated at Harvard College. Having studied law, he 
conmicnced the practice of his profession in his native town, which he repre- 
sented iu the General Court in 173G, when he was twenty-live years of age. 



BRIGADIER RUGGLES. 55 



Having taken up his residence in Sandwich, ho married a rich widow, and 
opened :i tavern. Strange as it may seem, he carried on the business of 
hotel-keeping and had an extensive practice as a lawyer at the same time. He 
was attentive to his guests, and polite to all comers, and attended to the 
duties of the bar-room and the stables with equal assiduity, saying that no 
man should feel above his business. To such a man, success in life was inevi- 
table. He soon took rank with the leading men in his profession, and attended 
the coiu'ts in Bristol and Plymouth, as well as in Barnstable County. He was 
a fair scholar, knew more law than the majority of legal practitioners, had the 
command of terse and forcible language, possessed sense, tact, and energy, 
and had self-confidence and courage for any undertaking which his interest or 
ambition inspired him to pursue. 

Mr. liuggles settled in Ilardwick, in this county, when he had attained the 
ripe ago of forty-four years, and was in the full maturity of his powers. 
Doubtless he would have maintained his high position at the Worcester bar, 
even in competition with Mr. Putnam, if the pul^lic service had not diverted 
his exertions into other courses. In 1755, the year after his coming, he 
entered the army, which was destined to act against the enemy in the last 
French and Indian war. He was in the expedition to Crown Point, as colonel, 
and was second in command under Sir William Johnson, in the battle in 
which Baron Dieskau was defeated. His reputation rose high, and the way 
was open for further service and success. He was out in the campaign of 1756 
and 1757, in the capacity of colonel, and commanded a regiment of Worcester 
and Hampshire men, under Lord Amherst. In the next year he served under 
Lord Amherst, in the expedition against Canada, with the title of brigadier- 
general. His military career now ended, but the service continued, for George 
II. was highly pleased with him, and granted him the office of " Surveyor-Gen- 
eral of the Woods," with a salary of three thousand pounds sterling. 

He wns appointed a judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in 1757, 
and chief justice in 17G2. This position was held by him until the outbreak 
of the Revolution. When the congress, made up of delegates from the 
several Colonies, was held in New York, in October, 1765, General Ruggles 
was one of the members from Massachusetts, and was chosen president of 
the body. It is a singular fact that though he was chosen president, and 
might, therelbre, be supposed to represent the congress, he was the only 
member who did not give his sanction to the result. Returning home, the 
other two delegates, Otis and Partridge, received a vote tif thanks from the 
legislature, while Ruggles was reprimanded by the speaker. 

At the opening of the Revolution he took the royal side, and not only lost 
his popularity, but became odious to the people. There is no doubt that he 
loved his country, and believed the time would come when it would be in- 
dependent ; but he did not see that the time had already come. His property 
was conhscated, and his name became a hissing. 



56 COUNTY HISTORY. 



Besides his large estate in Hardwick, where he licpt thirty horses, and had 
a deer park of twenty acres, and a pack of hounds for his numerous guests, 
he owned four farms in other localities. Though living in style, he was 
temperate in his htihits, prudent and sagacious in the management of his 
affairs, and capable of filling any position to which he might bo raised. 
Such was, in brief, the father of Mrs. Spooncr ; and the envy which his 
prosperity and his pride had excited, united with the hatred inspired iiy his 
course in joining the enemies of his country, was visited upon the devoted 
head of his accomplished but guilty and iinhap[)y daughter. The bitterness 
of party gave a color to all the proceedings at her trial, and caused both 
the people and the council to believe her false when she prayed for the life 
of her unborn child. 

Mrs. Spooner was the sixth child of General Rugglos, and was born Febru- 
ary 13, 1745-G. She was at the time of the fearful tragedy, thirt3'-three 
years of age, and was a woman of fine ajipcarance, agreeable manners, and 
great strength of character. She was married in the year 17G6 to Mr. Joshua 
Spoouer. He was considerably older than bis young, spirited wife, and was 
feeble in body as well as in the elements of a vigorous manhood. As she 
was resolute and passionate, they were an ill-assorted pair. Why she con- 
sented to such a union is not known, but it is supposablc that the match 
was considered an eligible one, as he was a respectal)le country trader, with 
a handsome property. It is more probable that the marriage was dictated by 
the feeling of a worldly-minded father, than prompted by the heart of an 
accomplished girl. By this marriage there were three children, one son and 
two daughters. The latter were married some years after the death of their 
mother. 

It is reported in the accounts of the crime and trial that the parties lived 
together unhapijil}', but no statement that I have seen distributes the blame be- 
tween the parties. There is a tradition that Bathshoba Ruggles was once cross- 
ing the river at Springfield, in a time of flood, when there was danger that 
the boat would bo swamped, and all on board drowned. She, however, made 
light of the danger, so far as concerned herself, remarking that one born to 
be hanged would never die by drowning. If this never occurred, yet it is 
probable that it was characteristic, and so has clung to her memory. The 
father, with all his talents and public spirit, was a man of low moral prin- 
ciple, and it is believed that he set his children an example of conjugal in- 
fidelit}-. With such a temper and such an evil example, she took the vows 
of marriage to a man unfitted to please one of her beauty, accomplishments 
and talents. 

It is a tradition in the family that she believed her husband was not only 
unfaithful to his vows, but had an unprincipled woman in the house. The 
argument of her counsel not obscurely intimates that this woman — perhaps 
more than one — was a servant in the kitchen. Such were the parties, 



THE SPOONER TRAGEDY. 57 

and such were their conditions. Being such, the train was laid for a fear- 
ful cxi)losion when accident should apply the spark. 

Three other prominent actors in the l)lo()dy tragedy may he hriefly de- 
scrihed. One was named James Buchanan : he was a Scotchman by birth, 
and had served in the British army, under Gen. Burgoyne. After the defeat 
of that general at Saratoga, his soldiers were marched into Massachusetts. 
He had held the rank of sergeant, had a decent education, and a good ap- 
pearance. About the time of the murder ho was traveling or "tramping" 
over the couutr}', from the coast towards Si^ringfield. He was thirty years 
old. 

William Brooks, his companion in travel, as he had been in war, was an 
Englishman, aged twenty-seven years; he was a private, under Bui'goyne, 
and at the capture of the army, was brought hither. He appears to have 
been the least respectable in the band of assassins. 

The third person was Ezra Ross, who was still a boy of eighteen, though 
he had been through some of the roughest experience of manhood. Two 
years before, at the ago of sixteen, he had joined the army, with four 
brothers, older than himself. On his return from his first campaign, in 
177G, broken with the hardships of the field, he passed through Brookficld, 
on the way to his home, in the parish of Linebrook, County of Essex, and 
was entertained at the house of Mr. Spooncr. Here he remained some time, 
an invalid, and Mrs. Spooner treated him with the care and tenderness of a 
mother. Having recovered strength, he went on his way to his father's 
house, cherishing feelings of gratitude towards his kind and fascinating 
hostess. In 1778 he was out again in the northern campaign, and returned 
by the same route, which brought him to Brookfield and Mr. Spooner's 
house. He was a fine-looking youth. She was beautiful, and with other 
accomplishments, was an elegant rider. She and young Ross often took 
horseback rides in company, and it is supposed that at this time her liking 
for the youth was fermented into a guilty passion. These were the dramatis 
personal. 

Taking up the narrative, it appears that on the first of March, 1778, 
Joshua Spooner was murdered and thrown into his own well. 

An inquest was held, and It was found that Mr. Spooner, on the even- 
ing of the first of March, which was Sunday, had been at the village 
tavern, with Dr. King and wife, and perhaps some other neighbors. 
Returning home, about nine of the clock, alone, when near his own 
door, he was feloniously assaulted by one or more rufiians, knocked 
down by a club, beat and bruised about the head, and then thrown into 
bis own well, with water in it. This was done "by persons to the jury 
unknown." 

On the morning after the murder, Mr. Spooner being missing, there was 



58 COUNTY HISTORY. 



great inquiry for him. It was remcmljercd that he had expressed fears for 
his life, and especially disliked the presence of the British soldiers in the 
neighborhood, and at his house. He seems to have esteemed young Ross, 
who was tolerably educated and well-behaved, and to have had no distrust 
of his wife. But the anxiety of the neighbors to fiud the missing man led 
to search, when the body was found in the well. 

When the body was brought into the house, it was noticed that none of 
the family would look at it except a little child. At the urgent entreaty 
of one of the jury of inquest, the wife went into the room, looked at her 
husband's remains, and putting her hands on his forehead, said: "Poor little 



man 



The circumstances which led to the arrest of the guilty parties were 
various. As might be supposed, the whole community was appalled by the 
murder, and there was instant imjuisition for the persons and the motive. 
But the folly of the three men, and of their instigator, Mrs. Spooner, soon 
fixed the suspicion of the public upon them. Their appearance, their con- 
fused talk, their contradictory explanations of their conduct and their 
whereabouts at the time of the murder, all combined to prove their guilt. 
Among other things, the two soldiers went towards Worcester, from which 
they had recently come, and arriving at the house of one Walker, they 
told such a parcel of lies to explain and excuse their return, as to arouse sus- 
picion. Being arrested, they became more and more involved in the meshes 
of their own falsehoods, and finally implicated young Ross and ]\Irs. Spooner. 
All four were arrested. It came out that Mrs. Spooner had become eager 
for the death of her husband, and had told her feelings to Ross, though no 
measures had been taken by her to lead him into the commission of the 
crime previous to the night of the murder. He was the unconscious instru- 
ment in her hands by whom the other agents were brought on to the 
sta^e at the nick of time, though he had never been in the council of blood 
previous to the cveniug when the deed was done. 

She gave orders to a servant to call in any British soldiers who might 
pass the house. A month previous to the fatal night, as Biuhanau and 
Brooks were passing, they were invited to stop. Here they remained two 
weeks, and received liberal entertainment, being provided with food and 
liquor. They were not much in the presence of Mr. Spooner, eating at 
another table; but he knew of their presence, and was displeased and alarmed. 
He made some feeble efforts to get rid of them, but he was not the master 
of his own house, and the servants, male and female, were under the control 
of his wife. 

A true bill was found against the three men and Mrs. Spooner, at Worcester, 
by the grand jury, on the third Tuesday of Apiii, and the trial was speedy. 
The court was composed of the following judges : William Gushing, chief 
justice; Jedediah Foster, Nathaniel Peaslee Sargent, David Sewall, and James 



THE SPOONER TRAGEDY. 59 

Sullivan; Robert Treat Paine was State's attorney, or altorney-geueral, and 
Levi Lincoln, senior, was the counsel for the prisoners. 

It was charged that Brooks made the assault, knocked down and bruised 
Mr. Spoonrr ; and that Buchanan and Ross aided and abetted. I\Irs. Spooner 
was charged with the guilt of instigating, procuring, and rewarding the fell 
deed. The trial began on the 24th of April, in the meeting-house of the Old 
South parish. 

At the trial the circumstantial evidence against the prisoners was strong, if 
not conclusive. There was no doubt that a murder had been committed. 
There was nothing to warrant the belief that the case was one of suicide. 
Neither was there suspicion against any one but the four persons presented to 
the court by the grand jury. The aversion of Mrs. Spooner to her husband; 
his unfaithfulness to her; her strange conduct in directing a servant, or ser- 
vants, to call in passing soldiers ; her keeping and entertaining Erooks and 
Bueiianau for no apparent reason, and in spite of her husband's aversion to 
them, and dislike of their presence; the fact that they were present on the 
ni^ht of the murder, and their strange conduct and contradictory statements 
afterwards, all comliinc to fix the guilt of the crime upon all except, possibly, 
young Ross. And it was clear that he was in bad company. Moreover, those 
men had more money after the deed than seemed compatible with their condi- 
tion in life, besides the possession of some articles of the victim's wearing 
apparel. 

Jonathan King, the physician, being called to the stand, testified that be 
spent the evening of March 1st at Coolcy's tavern, with Spooner, about a quarter 
of a mile from the home of the latter. Spooner left the tavern between eight and 
nine o'clock, and was well when he went away. He testified further, that the 
face and temple of Spooner were much bruised, and that blood was found on 
the well-curb. 

Epliraim Cooley, the tavern keeper, testified that Spooner was pleasant and 
socia1)lc, and loft the tavern at. the same time with Dr. King and wife. He 
was well at the time of leaving. 

Then came the confession of one of the defendants on trial. Buchanan stated 
that while Spooner was at the tavern on Sunday evening, the conspirators were 
in his house keeping watch. They were supplied with victuals, and drank 
punch and rum. "When Spooner was seen coming home, just before nine 
o'clock, Brooks stood within the small gate leading to the kitchen, and as 
Spooner came past, he knocked him down with his hand. Spooner tried to 
speak when down, but Brooks took him by the throat and partly strangled 
him. Ross and Buchanan came out of the house. Ross took Spooner's watch 
and gave it to Buchanan. Brooks and Ross took up Spooner and put him into 
the well, head first. Buchanan pulled off his — Spooner's — shoes. lie was, 
according to his statement, immediately struck with remorse. 

They found Mrs. Spooner in the sitting-room, and she seemed "vastly con- 



60 COUNTY raSTORY. 



fused." Slio went up stairs and brought down :i box containing nionc\-, and 
having no koy, asked Buchanan to break it open, which ho did. Brooks and 
Koss came in, Avhcn she gave two notes of four bundled dollars each to Ross to 
change and give the money to Ciooks. But some paper money was found, 
amounting to two hundred and fort^'-three dollars, which Brooks received, and 
returned the notes. She gave Ross four notes of ten pounds each to purchase 
cnmlct for a riding-dress. There was a distriljution of clothing, including 
Spooner's waistcoat, breeches and shirt. She gave three eight-dollar 1)ills to 
Buchanan. Buchanan added : "Had we all been immcdiatel}- struck dc;id after 
the perpetration of so horriI)le a murder, and sent to hell, God would have 
been justilied, and wc justly condemned." 

The story of the trial need not be drawn out at length, as the evidence was 
conclusive, and all admitted their guilt, except the instigator and rewarder of 
the crime. Mrs. Spooner asserted that she relented before the plan of murder 
was executed, and did not wish it to be done. But if so, she did nothing to 
avert the action which she had deliberately arranged to procure. 

The State's attorney, Mr. Paine, presented the evidence to the jury in a 
clear manner, and called for the verdict which justice demanded. The 
counsel for the prisoners, Mr. Lincoln, managed the case with his usual skill 
and ability. Tlie trial was fair, and the verdict of "guilty " was in accordance 
with the law and the evidence. And here, in ordinary cases, when the evi- 
dence of guilt is so full and conclusive, the sentence of the court would be 
followed b}' the execution of the guilty. But in this case, just here began a 
scone in the drama which kcjjt the parties in suspense, and the people in a 
state of high excitement for many weeks. 

Brooks and Buchanan were foreigners, without friends, and their case pre- 
sented no points on which a petition for pardon, or even respite, could be 
founded, though, in fact, they were reprieved with the rest, that they might 
have time to make preparation for death and eternity. They were hired assas- 
sins, who had basely committed murder for pay. 

But the case of Ross was different. Though guilty, he was young; he was 
not engaged in the plot to take ^Ir. Spooner"s life. Only on the fateful even- 
ing was he drawn into the toils of the artful woman who was the moving-spring 
of all the puppets in the bloody act. Besides, he was a soldier who had done 
faithful service for his country in two or three campaigns, though only eighteen 
years old. The situation of his aged and worthy parents appealed with 
pathetic force to all feeling hearts. The following petition to the authorities 
sets forth the touching facts in the early life of the guilty youth. It was in 
these words : 

" The niomorial and petition of Jaboz Koss ami .Tonnna Ross of Ijiswicli (Line- 
brook) in the County of Essex, liuinl>ly slu^wi'tli that your memorialists arc the 
unliiipijy iinri'uts of a most unfortunate son, now under sentence of dcalli for the mur- 
der of Mr. Spooner — a murder the mo3t shocking in its kind, and in circumstances not 



PETITION FOR ROSS. Gl 



to bo p:ir:ill('lod. That out of the public troubles of the da^-, your memorialists have 
been called by providence to suffer a large and uncommon share. That at the com- 
mencement of hostilities, of seventeen children, six sons and three daughters alone 
survived to your aged and distressed petitioners, whose footsteps from that period have 
been marked with anxietj% and whose sorrows, from the mclancholj- fate of their 
youngest son, have received a tinge of the keenest kind. 

" At the first instance of bloodshed, five of the six sons entered the public service ; 
four fought at Bunker Hill ; three marched to the southward with General Washington, 

of which number was the unhappy convict who engaged for oul}' , the other two 

for three years. A fourth mingled, at the northward, his bones with the dust of the 
earth. 

" On his return from the first 3'ear's campaign he was, by the lot of providence, cast 
upon Mrs. Spooncr in a severe fit of sickness, from whom he received everj- kind office 
and mark of tenderness that could endear and make grateful a child of sixteen, sick, 
destitute, in a strange place, at a distance from friends and acquaintance. After the 
evacuation of Ticonderoga, in his march to reinforce the northern armj', gratitude for 
past favors led him to call on his old benefactress, who then added to the number of 
her kindnesses, and engaged a visit on his return. With a mind thus prepared and 
thus irresistiblj- prepossessed by her addresses and kindnesses on his tender years, he 
for the first time heard the horrid proposals, tempted by promises flattering to his situa- 
tion, and seduced both from virtue and prudence, a child as he was, by a lewd, artful 
woman, he but too readily acceded to her measures, black as they were ; but never 
attempted the execution of the detestable crime, notwithstanding repeated solicitations 
and as frequent opportunities, until on an accidental meeting he became a party with 
those ruffians, who, without his pri\-ity, had fixed on the time and place for that horrid 
transaction, of which he now stands justly convicted. 

" Your petitioners by no means attempt an extenuation of guilt, or measures incon- 
sistent with the safety of the community and the preservation of individuals. But if it 
is consistent ; if the criminal, who is thoroughly possessed with a sense of what is past, 
present, or to come, can be spared, and his guilt condemned ; if he has been a valuable 
member of society and fought in her cause, although from the inexijerience peculiar to 
youth, the strength of some momentary impulses and alluring seducemeuts, he gradu- 
ally erred until he arrived to the violent act of wickedness ; if upon recollection he has 
found repentance, confessed his life a forfeiture to the law, looking up to heaven for 
that forgiveness which none can find on earth ; if an early confession of the whole 
matter and the suffering of a thousand deaths in the reflections of the mind ; if the law, 
the government, and the grave can be satisfied and mercy displayed ; in fine, if j-outh, 
if old age, the sorrows, the anguish of a father, the j'carnings of a mother, the com- 
passion and wishes of thousands can avail ; if any or all of these considerations can 
arrest the hand of justice, plead effectually for mercy, and induce your honors to extend 
that pardon towards one of the poor unhappy victims destined to a most awful execu- 
tion, and thereby give him an opportunit}- of atoning to the public for the injury he has 
done it — restore him to his countrj', to himself, his S3-mpathizing friends, — to his aged, 
drooping, distressed parents. It will console them under the weightiest afflictions, and 
turn the wormwood and the gall into something tolerable ; and j'our petitioners, in dul3' 
bound, will ever praj-." 



62 COUNTY HISTORY. 



The Eev. George Leslie, minister of the church in Linebrook, to which the 
parents l)elongc(,l, joined in the petition. But the council was firm, and Ross 
■was left f(;r execution with the rest. He conducted with great propriety after 
his fate was settled, and was publicly baptized. As said before, the day of his 
execution was kept as a day of fasting and prayer in his native parish. The 
stricken parents had the sympathy of neighbors and of the general public, 
though the law justly doomed their son to suffer the awful penalty decreed to 
the murderer. 

But llrs. Spooncr was the principal figure in this awful crime and dreadful 
pageant. Rev. Thaddcus Macart^', the vcnci-abic pastor of the Old South 
Church, often vi.-ited her, and she conversed freely with him upon her situation. 
Up to this time she would not admit the justice of her sentence. She said the 
witnesses had wronged her. She had indeed formed the plan, but never really 
thought it would be put in execution. Her heart relented when she found the 
soldiers were in earnest. It is quite credible that her purpose was bent this 
way and that by successive tides of feeling; and probably the strange men 
whom she had called into her service, familiar, as they were, with scenes of 
blood and rapine, took the matter, iu a measure, into their own hands. At least, 
she would fain believe that she was not so guilty as the world supposed her to 
be. But she was a woman of fortitude, and neither songht, nor would accept, 
the sympathy of others. The prejudice of the community against her father 
and his family was well known to her, and therefore her pride forbade the 
manifestation of an}' weakness. 

But at this time she averred thiit she was soon to become the mother of 
another child. A petition was sent to the government that the prisoners might 
be respited for a month. Sir. jNIacarty desired this in behalf of them all, that 
they might have time to prepare for the solemn scene before them. And he 
pr()l)ab]y felt that the influence of their spiritual change would be the more 
salutary if a little time were given for it to display itself. In a petition ho 
remarked: "As to the unhappy woman, he would beg leave further to repre- 
sent that she declares that she is several months advanced iu her pregnancy, 
for which reason she humbly desires that her execution might be respited till 
she shall have brought forth." She added to the petition these words: "The 
above application is made at my own earnest request." As said above, the 
reprieve was granted. 

The sheriff was then directed to follow the legal method to find if her state- 
ments were true. Two men-midwives and twelve matrons were summoned as 
a jury, and they made an examination. They decided, by a large mijority, 
that the claim of pregnancy was unfounded. Mrs. Spooner immediately sent 
in the following petition: "May it please your honors, with unfeigned grati- 
tude I acknowledge the favor you lately granted mc of a reprieve. I nnist beg 
leave, once more, humbly to lie at your feet, and to represent to you that, 
though the Jury of matrons that were appointed to examine into my case have 



THE UNBORN CHILD. G3 

not bcoiight ia in my favor, yet that I am absolutely certain of being in a preg- 
nant !<tate, and above four months advanced in it, and the infant I bear was 
lawfully begotten. I am earnestly desirous of beiug spared till I shall be 
delivered of it. I must humbly desire your honors, notwithstanding my 
great unworthiness, to take my deplorable case into your compassionate 
consideration. AVhat I bear, and clearly perceive to be animated, is 
innocent of the faults of her who bears it, and has, I beg leave to say, 
a right to the existence which God has begun to give it. Your honors' humane 
Christian principles, I am very certain, must lead you to desire to preserve 
life, even in this its miniature state, rather than to destroy it. Suffer me, 
therefore, with all earnestness, to beseech your honors to grant me such a 
further length of time, at least, as that there may be the fairest and fullest 
opportunity to have the matter fully ascertained; and as in duty bound, shall, 
during my short continuance, pray." 

The petition was denied : nevertheless, Mr. jNIacarty, sustained, without 
doubt, by many who sympathized with him, made a most earnest ctfort to 
obtain a I'cprieve, in the firm belief that the matrons were mistaken. Some of 
them did change their minds, on further examination, iu this agreeing with 
one or more physicians. The fact that Mrs. Spooner did not plead for mercy, 
but did plead for the life of her unborn child, moved Mr. Macarty to write to 
the government a letter in which he said : "The news arrived last evening to 
Mrs. Spooner that her petition for a reprieve was not granted. People that are 
acquainted with her circumstances are exceedingly affected with it. I am 
myself fully satisfied of her beiug in a pregnant state, and have been so for a 
considerable time, and it is with deep regret that I think of her being cut off 
till she shall have brought forth, which will eventual!}', though not intentionally, 
destroy innocent life. An experienced midwife l)elonging here, visited her this 
week, and examined her, and found her quick with child. Therefore, though 
I think justice ought to take place on her as well as the rest, I must beg leave 
earnestly to desire that she might be respited at least for such a time as that 
the matter may be fully cleared up. And I have no doubt it will be so satis- 
factorily to every one. I write this, may it please your honors, of my own 
accord, not at her desire, for I have not seen her since the news arrived. I 
should be very sorry if j'our honors should consider me as over-offilcious in the 
matter. But principles of humanity, and a desire that righteousness may go 
forth as brightness, and judgment as the noonday, have powerfully promjited 
me to make this application on her behalf." 

But the appeal was denied : the council was inflexible. Mrs. Spooner received 
the announcement with great calmness, but insisted on the truth of her state- 
ment and requested that a. post-mortem examination might be made. 

The execution of the criminals took place on the second day of July. 
Worcester then was a small country village ; but its main street, and the way to 
the spot where the criminals were to suffer the just penalty of the law, was 



64 COUNTY HISTORY. 



thronged with crowds of men and women from different parts of the conuly. 
Great excitement prevailed. The hanging of four persons in the same after- 
noon, one of whom was a woman, and she in a high position in social life, was 
an uncommon, if not unprecedented event in the annuls of colonial crime. 
There were at the time several sraall-pox hospitals in the count}', to which the 
people resorted for the purpose of inoculation, as vaccinati>jn had not then 
come into vogue. As a precaution against the spread of the disease, then far 
more dreaded than at present, a special request was sent to physicians and 
nurses to keep away from the scene unless they were "well cleansed." Per- 
haps this step was taken to awaken the fears of the peoi)lo generall}', and thus 
induce them to stay at home. However this may have I)een, the people came, 
old and young, and Worcester witnessed a scene which h;is never been ocjualcd 
in her history, and God grant that it may never be repeated. 

All the prisoners acknowledged their guilt. Mvs. Spooner was quiet and 
composed. She seemed more humble and penitent than before, and professed 
her faith in the Saviour of the world, and her dependence on him for salvation. 
She was baptized, in token of her faith, a few moments bef)rc she left the cell. 
According to the custom of those days, a sermon was preached before the 
prisoners. ^Ir. Macarty officiated on this occasion, finding his text in Deuter- 
onomy xix. 13. 

Mrs. Spooner, on account of great bodily infirmity, was not able to attend 
the service, which was open to the public. 

At the hour of two in the afternoon the procession was formed. One hun- 
dred men were on guard. The three male prisoners were on foot, but IMrs. 
Spooner, being feeble, was allowed to ride in a chaise. Though crowds of 
people, with feelings wrought up to the highest tension, thronged the way, the 
march to the place of execution was regular and solemn. To add to the 
solemnity of the hour and the scene, a terrific thunder-cloud darkened the air 
and veiled the sun. Then followed an "awful half-hour; the loud shouts of 
the officers, amidst a crowd of five thousand people, to 'maJce icay, make 
way;' the horses prancing upon those in front; the shrieks of the women in 
the tumult and confusion ; the malefactors slowly advancing to the fatal tree, 
preceded by the dismal coffins ; the fierce coruscations of lightning athwart 
the darkened horizon, quickly followed by peals of thunder, conspired together 
and produced a dreadf(d scene of horror. It seemed as if the Author of 
Nature had added such terrors to the punishment of the criminals as might 
soften the stoutest hearts of the most obstinate and abandoned." 

At length the three men were arranged on the stage, and the death-warrant 
was read to them. Ross made an audible praj'cr. The others engaged in 
private devotions till the moment of execution. Mrs. Spooner, being weak in 
body, though resolute in will, was permitted to sit in the chaise until the last 
moment. She bowed gracefully to many of the spectators whom she recog- 
nized. When the time came, with a gentle smile, she stepped from the 



THE SAD ERROR. G5 



carriage and crept up the ladder on her hands and knees. The faces of all 
being covered, and all being ready, Sirs. Spooncr acknowledged, for the first 
time, that her punishment was just. Taking the sheriff. Gen. Greenleaf of 
Lancaster, by the hand, she said : "My dear sir, I am ready. lu a little time 
I expect to be iu bliss, and but a few years must elapse when 1 hope I shall 
sec you and my other friends again." In a moment the drop fell, and four 
lifeless bodies were suspended in the air. Taking a long look, the awe-struck 
spectators turned from the solemn scene and returned to their homes, there to 
recount the occurrences of the day in a thousand households. 

The four murderers were dead, and by universal consent they deserved their 
doom. But the public sentiment in regard to the guilty wife was peculiarly 
bitter. There does not appear to have been any feeling of respect for Mr. 
Spoouer, nor any tenderness in regard to his memory ; no faults or deficiencies 
of his character and conduct were considered a justification of her inhuman 
and unwifcly crime. She appeared the more wicked in her influence over 
Ross, whom she, according to popular belief, had seduced, and thus led him to 
the commission of adultery and murder. And in addition to all these circum- 
stances, the fact that she was a child of Gen. Ruggles, once honored by the 
people, but now in full sympathy with their enemies, intensified the public 
prejudice and hatred. 

But now came to light the fact which horrified the community, and in a 
measure turned the tide of feeling in favor of the sinning woman who had died 
on the scaflbld. "The same day, at evening," says the reporter, "her body 
was opened by surgeons, and a perfect male foetus of five months' growth was 
taken from her." So she had told the truth. She had asked for a few weeks 
of life, not for herself, but for her unborn child. The prejudices, or ignorance, 
or both, of the jury of matrons, had procured a wrong return. The popular 
clamor had closed the hearts of the council to the plea for delay, and a great 
wrong had been done. One little life went out in silence and shame, yet its 
cry has not ceased for a hundred years to utter its warning. In the great 
court of humanity it has brought its action against the people, and the verdict 
has been given in their condemnation. Let its warning be heard in all time, 
forbidding the indulgence of prejudice against even the guilty, and teaching 
that justice must not be in hot haste for its victim. 

In closing this sad chapter of human frailty, sin and crime, it may be said, 
farther, that a strange interest has always hovered round the grave of Mrs. 
Spooner. Iler remains were not laid in the potter's field, nor yet in the ground 
dedicated as the resting-place of the dead, side by side with dear kindred, but 
in the hospitable earth owned by a friend, where a slab of stone marks the 
spot. Though aside from the travel to and from the city, and far up on the 
hill-side, it was often visited iu former times, and there are still some who arc 
drawn thither by the fascination which intense human passion lends to person 
and to place. 



C6 COUNTY HISTORY. 



The Case of Qcork Walker. 

The chief interest of this case is not due to any of the persons connected with 
it, nor to the heinousness of the crimes committed, bnt to the importance of 
the principles involved. There were really three cases, two civil and one 
criminal, in which AVaikcr — styled Qiiok, Quack and Qock, as well as Qiiork 
— was concerned, though but one in which he was a party. This case was that 
of Quork Walker vs. Nathaniel Jennison. It was a case of "trespass for an 
alleged assault and beating of plaintiff by defendant with a hoc-handle." Jen- 
nison also struck Walker witli clubs and with his fists, according to (he allegation. 

The case came l)efore the Inferior Court of Common Pleas, June term, 1781. 
Jennison, admitting the facts, claiincd that Walker was a slave, "his owu 
proper slave." This was his justification. He had a right to chastise his 
slave, his property, his chattel. The replication was that Walker was a free 
man. The decision of the court was in favor of Walker, and judgment was 
obtained against Jennison to the amount of £G0 and costs. From this decision 
Jennison appealed to the Superior Court of Judicature, but when the time 
came he failed to prosecute his appeal. Judgment was, therefore, confirmed 
in favor of Walker. 

The other civil suit was that of Nathaniel Jennison vs. Johu Caldwell and Setli 
Caldwell. This was brought at the same term of the Inferior Court of Com- 
mon Pleas, composed of the following judges : Moses Gill, Samuel Baker and 
Joseph Dow. These men were not lawyers, but sensible men. Gill was 
afterwards lieutenant-governor, and one, if not both of the others, was a 
senator. In tiiis case Jennison sued the Caldwells for "enticing away his 
slave, Qiiork Walker, and rescuing him out of his (Jenuison's) hands." Also, 
for "depriving him (Jennison) of the services of his servant." The court 
rendered judgment in favor of the plaintiff. Jennison claimed £1,000 damages ; 
he received a verdict in his favor to the amount of £2.5. 

The case was appealed to the Superior Court of Judicature, which was com- 
posed of the following men, who occupy a respectable place in the annals of 
the State: N. P. Sargent, David Sewail and James Sullivan. The chief- 
justice, Hon. William Cashing, was n.)t present. Though Walker was not a 
party to the suit, all its interest to us, at this period, turned on the (juestion 
whether or not he was a slave. 

The counsel for Jennison were Johu Sprague of Lancaster, and Mr. Stearns 
of Worcester. The latter was a man of great promise, but died before reach- 
ing distinction. The former was one of the ablest lawyers and clearest thinkers 
in the county or the Commonwealth. The counsel for the appellants, the 
Caldwells, were the elder Levi Lincoln, aud Caleb Strong, afterwards gover- 
nor, and one of our ablest statesmen. 

The case was contested on the ground of law and of right. There is no full 
report of the trial, and we have no outline of the argument of Judge Sprague; 
J)ut the brief of Mr. Lincoln has been preserved, and may be found iu the 



A STROKE FOR LIBERTY. 67 

pul)lications of the Massachusetts Historical Society. From this it appears 
that Mr. Liiicohi placed his case on the high ground of principle and God-given 
right. He told the judges and the jnr}', " before the final ti-ibunal the case will 
be tried by your Judga." He proceeded: "It will be tried by the laws of 
I'eason and revelation." 

He raised the questions: "Is it not a law of nature that all men are equal 
and free? Is not the law of nature the law of God? Is not the law of God, 
then, against slavery?" Advancing, he said that : "If there is no law of man 
establishing slavery, then there is no difficulty ; if there is such a law, then the 
great difficulty is to determine which law you ought to obey. And if." said 
the learned and eloquent advocate, "you have the same ideas as I have of 
present and future things, you will obey the former — Ihat is, the law of God. 
The worst that can happen to you for disobeying the law of man is the 
destruction of the body — for disobeying the law of God, the destruction of 
your souls." 

The legal right to freedom in this State he based, first, on an article of the 
"Body of Liberties," established in 1643 by the first generation of law-makers 
in the Colony. These are the words : "There never shall be any bond-slaverv, 
villainage, or captivitie, unless it be lawful captives taken in just wars, and 
such strangers as willingly sell themselves, or are sold to us," that is, from 
abroad. In other words, slaves might be made of captives taken in just wars, 
according to the usages of the times. The practice of exchanging prisoners is 
modern. Again, a man might sell himself into slavery. And thirdly, the 
people might buy slaves of outsiders. This would bring them under the 
protection of our laws, and secure the freedom of their children. 

Again, Mr. Lincoln presented the argiuuent of Jonathan Sewall, attorney- 
general, in the case of James vs. Lechmere, in 176!), in which he stated the 
law to be that "all persons born or residing in the province, are as free as the 
king's subjects in Great Britain." This relates to persons born here, whether 
their parents were free or in slavery. 

Lastly, he claimed that by the adoption of the Constitution of 1780, every 
slave in Massachusetts was declared to be free. The first a,rticle in the 
Declaration of Rights, adopted by the people in 1780, is in these words: 
"All men are born free and equal, and have certain natural, essential, and 
inalienable rights ; among which may be reckoned the right of enjoying and 
defending their rights and liberties ; that of acquiring, possessing, and pro- 
tecting property; in fine, that of seeking and obtaining their safetyand hai)pi- 
ness." 

Judgment was rendered for the appellants ; and on the ground that Walker 
was not a slave, and could not be, under the laws of this State, any more than 
under the law of nature, which was the law of God. It has been said of this 
decision that "it struck oft" the chains of every slave in this Commonwealth." 
Still, these cases not having been tried before the full court, they could not be 



68 COUNTY HISTORY. 



coiisidorod as having definitely settled the question of the non-existence of 
slavery in this State ; and the opinion of the judges before whom these trials 
took place seem not to have been universally assented to in all parts of the 
Commonwealth. Accordingly, we find that Jcnuison, "on June 18, 1782, 
presented a petition to the House of Representatives," setting forth that he 
was deprived of ten negro servants by a judgment of the Supreme Judicial 
Court on the following clause of the Constitution : "That all men are born free 
and equal," and praying that, if said judgment is approved of, he may be freed 
from his oljligalions to support said negroes. 

And on February 8, 1783, the House of Representatives appointed a com- 
mittee "to bring in a bill upon the following principles : 1st. That there never 
were legal slaves in this Government; 2d. Indemnifying all masters who had 
held slaves in fact ; 3d. To make such provisions for the support of negroes 
and mulattocs as the committee may find most convenient." A bill was brought 
in, and passed through its several stages in the House, and read a first time 
in the Senate, and then appears no farther in the records of the Legislature. 

But, in the meantime, an indictment against said Nathaniel Jennison, in 
September, 1781, in Worcester County, for assaulting, beating and imprison- 
ing Quork Walker, was tried at the April term of the Supreme Judicial Court 
for tiiat county in 1783. This term was held by the full court, consisting of 
William Cushing, chief justice, and Nathaniel Peaslce Sargeaut, David Sewall 
and Increase Sumner, justices. 

The chief justice, in his charge to the jury, said, "As to the doctrine of 
slavery and the right of Christians to hold Africans in perpetual bondage, and 
sell and treat them as we do oiir horses and cattle, that (it is true) has been 
heretofore countenanced by the Province laws formerly, but nowhere is ex- 
pressly enacted or established. It has been a usage, — a usage which took its 
origin from the practice of some of the European nations, and the regulations 
of the British Government respecting the then Colonics, for the benefit of 
trade and wealth. But whatever sentiments have formerly prevailed in this 
particular, or slid in upon us by the example of others, a different idea has 
taken place with the people of America, more favorable to the natural rights 
of mankind, and to the natural, innate desire of liberty with which heaven has 
inspired all the human race. And upon this ground our Constitution of Gov- 
ernment, by which the people of this Commonwealth have solemnly bound 
themselves, sets out with declaring that all men arc born free and equal. . . . 
This being the case, I think tlie idea of slavery is inconsistent with our own 
conduct and Constitution; and lliere can be no such thing as perpetual servi- 
tude of a rational creature, unless his liberty is forfeited by some criminal 
conduct, or given up by personal consent or contract." 

The jury returned a verdict of guilty, and the defendant was sentenced to 
pay a fine of forty shillings and costs of prosecution. And by that verdict and 
judgment was the law of freedom established in this Commonwealth, and no 



THE BURROUGHS CASE. 69 

farther legislation was docmcJ necessary to abolish slavery in this State if it 
ever had a legal existence here. (See Proceedings of Massachusetts Histoi-ical 
Society, for 1873-5, pp. 293-8.) 

All readers familiar with tho progress of the great contest which recently 
came to its issue, in our coinitry, in the overthrow of slavery, will notice how 
Gov. Lincoln in his argument anticipated the reasoning of the champions of 
freedom in favor of human rights. By them, as well as by him, the law of 
God has been held to be paramount over all conflicting human enactments. 

The Case of Stephen Bukkoughs. 

This man was, in some respects, one of the most remarkable characters ever 
reared in New England. lie was born in a good family, and received early 
religious training. His standing as a scholar was respectable, and his talents 
were superior. He seems to have had no malevolence ; had no liking for 
scenes of cruelty and bloodshed ; was kind-hearted, and naturally affectionate 
to family and friends ; but was bound by no ties and restrained by no obstacles 
from the course to which bis cupidity, lust, or love of mischief prompted him. 

Passing by the story of his life, which, as told by himself, is a shameless 
record of villainy, we come to the misdcm.eanors which secured his arraign- 
ment before the Supreme Court, at its session in "Worcester, in 1791. 

It appears that he was keeping school in Charlton in 1790, and that as a teacher 
he was capable and successful. But his conduct towards some of his female 
pupils brought him into trouble. He admitted some of the charges laid against 
him, while denying others, and claiming that in some cases he was not alone 
guilty, but the subject of temptation. These claims, or insinuations, however, 
did not secure a mitigation of penalty ; possibly they caused it to be more 
severe. 

After the case was heard, if the culprit's own story is true, the three 
judges, Dana, Paine and Cushing, though agreed between themselves, each 
charged the jury. The indictment alleged misconduct toward three young 
women, whom the prisoner had sought to lead astray. The temper of the 
court was indeed severe: the sentence was, to receive thirty-nine stripes for 
each case — one hundred and seventeen — on the bare back ; to stand two 
hours in the pillory ; to stand one hour on the gallows with a rope round his 
neck ; and to lie three months in prison. 

Soon after, he received seventy-eight stripes, and went back to prison to 
rest and await the other thirty-nine. But he declares that not long afterward, 
one dark night, his cell door was forced open ; that ho was led out and taken 
in quiet and silence through a great crowd of men, and there bid to depart, 
which he at once did. AVhether he broke jail, or wrought some daring trick, 
as he often did, no one now can tell ; but he surely escaped. No one has ever 
appeared to deny his story. A small parly might have freed him, (though not a 
thousand, as he says there were) , for jail-breaking was common, and everybody 



70 COUNTY HISTORY. 



would be glad to have Iiim out of the way, even hy some slight irregularity, in 
the hope that he would never show himself again in the county. Tlic 
occurrence attracted little notice ; and even the authorities may have acquiesced 
in the "good riddance" of an artful villain, whose presence, after the 
expiration of his sentence, would be a moral pest. 

The Case of Otto Sutou. 

The same want of moi'al sense characterized this man as the one described 
in the former section. lie seemed to have no more regard for life, when life- 
taking would serve his purpose, than a hawk or a wild-cat, aud in this regard 
he was unlike Burroughs. lie was also destitute of the finished plausibility 
which his predecessor in crime never failed to exhibit on occasiou ; but in 
wickedness, pure aud simple, without conscience to restrain, the two were 
alike. 

Otto Sutor Mas born in Hamburg, and had respectable connections. A 
brother was a lawyer. He was a good scholar, for one so young. In 1845 he 
came to this country, at the age of nineteen. Mr. Matthew F. Woods, for- 
merly a trader in Lancaster, and a manufacturer of palm-leaf hats, found him 
in the streets of New York, was iutorcsted in him, brought him home, and 
gave him employment in his shop. The young man was handy, quick to learn, 
and become useful in the business. He was industrious, aud earned good 
wages. 

A near neighbor was 'Mr. Caleb T. Symmes, cashier of the Lancaster Bank. 
Mrs. Symmes, an accomplished lady of literary tastes and pursuits, was a student, 
as was also her husband, of the German language. Otto, as he was called, 
was welcomed to the house, and as an intelligent j-outh aud stranger, was 
treated with kindness by Mr. and ISIrs. Symmcs. As he could talk in P^uglish 
only impeifectly, and Mrs. Symmes could converse freely in French, he found 
it pleasant to call. He was an agreeable fellow, and made himself useful in 
the practice of pronouncing the German tongue. Being a good singer he was 
invited to join the choir of the Orthodox Church. His conduct was exemplary, 
and he became an object of general interest. This was in the years 184.5-6. 
After several months he went to reside in Pepperell, where ho found employ- 
ment, and where, it is said, he became engaged to a young woman. 

Passing over intervening time, we come to the evening of September 10, 
1846. At that time two stages came to Lancaster in the evening: one from 
Shirley Village, about eight o'clock, and the other from Worcester, about an 
hour later. This fact is mentioned as having some bearing on the plan or 
design of Otto. Sir. Symmcs was alone part of the evening, and when Mrs. 
Symmes came in between eight and nine, she found Otto had come. He 
stated that he came from Shirley in the stage, which was not true, as after- 
Avards ajipcared ; nor did he come in the Worcester stage, as he arrived before 
that. The evening was passed pleasantly as usual before he went to rest, aud 



A DEADLY STRUGGLE. 71 



there was some pleasantry about pronunciation, and about writing the German 
characters, as is common between natives and foreigners. 

In the course of the evening a man came in to leave a hundred dollars 
belonginf' to the bank, with the cashier. The German saw iSIr. Symmes take 
the money and place it in his pocket-book. There was not a suspicion that 
he would be tempted by the sight to commit a horrid crime. 

In due time all retired for the night. The bed-room of the fouiily was 
below ; that of the guest up stairs. Some time afterward, probably not 
long before one o'clock in the morning, ]Mr. Symmes was aroused ; and, with 
eyes i)avtly opened, saw that a lamp was shining out from under the bod, and 
a man was standing by his side, at the head of the bed. He said, " What do 
you want?" The reply, in Olto's voice, was, "I want that money!" as he 
drew a razor. Mr. Symmes sprung up in the bed, but the razor in the 
villain's hand was quickly drawu across the lower part of the throat The 
wound was long and deep, but did not sever the windpipe. The blood flowed 
profusely. By this time Mrs. Symmes was awakened, and I)olh moved along to 
the foot of the bed, when Otto struck her neck with the razor, just missiug the 
jugular vein. Then ensued a fearful struggle ; they striving to save their 
lives, and he to kill them, that there might be no living witness of his crime. 
In the struggle the fingers of one of them was cut by the razor, and Otto's 
fingers were in some manner caught in Mr. Syramcs's mouth, and bitten so 
severely as to draw blood. The ruffian thrust his fingers into the wound on 
Mr. Symmes's throat and tried to tear it open. It was a fearful fight for life 
ao^ainst one intent on murder. By degrees all had worked out of the sleeping- 
room into the sitting-room, and from that into the front entry. The razor had 
been wrested in some way, or had dropped from the hand of Otto, and all 
were left to their natural weapons. At length finding that he could not pre- 
vail, and alarmed at the movement of Mrs. Symmes towards a wiridow for the 
purpose of calling aid, he came to a parley, and oflered to leave if they would 
promise secresy. As she was about to raise a window, he said, "Why, you 
will expose us all ! " When asked why he made the attempt on their lives, and 
if they had ever injured him, he replied : "No, you are the best friends I had 
in America." He said further that he had started for home and was going to 
sail in a few daj's for Hamburg ; that he wanted money. This raises the query, 
when taken in connection with the fact that he came not in the stage, but as it 
were secretly, and in the night, and with a razor in his pocket, whether he did 
not come with a purpose, and whether the sight of the money merely fixed the 
time and mode for the execution of his plan. But of this he never gave an 
explanation. 

As he was about leaving he inquired if he migiit have his hat. 5Ir. Symmes 
said "Yes," and got it for him. He then asked for his shoes, as he had come 
down in his stocking-feet. This request was denied, as they were desirous of 



72 COUNTY HISTORY. 



his leaving without delay. Going out of the house he said : " If I can ever 
do anything for you, let mo know," and so departed. 

It was now about two oVlock. Some time later they heard a team go by, 
and a window was lifted, and the voice of Mrs. Symmcs arrested the travel- 
ers. They were two men who had taken an early start for Worcester, she 
asked them to call Dr. Calvin Carter, who lived across the road, because Mr. 
Symmes was in a very bad condition. One of them called the doctor, and 
coming back, inquired if Mr. Symmcs was very sick. She said ho would be 
all right if the doctor would come, and closed the window. Dr. Carter came 
immediately and found a horrid scene. His friends wore gashed with wounds ; 
their clothing was drenched with blood. There was a pool of blood on the 
Canton matting, so that they tracked blood as they stepped upon it. He 
attended to their immediate needs, but was filled with wonder in regard to the 
cause. Their reticence increased the wonder. The events of the night soon 
became known, and the astonishment spread through the village and neighbor- 
hood. Their refusal to tell raised the question whether they had attempted 
suicide? or, h.ad they quarrelled? AVho had been in the house that night? 
No answer was given to the question. The brother of Mr. Symmes was accus- 
tomed to come from Charlestown with his own team, and generally arrived in 
the evening. Did he come last night? "No." It so happened that he came 
up that very day, and earlier than usual. Ho had seen Otto with a drover, 
whom he was hcli)ing to drive cattle towards Boston. As they approached. 
Otto climbed over the fence, but it was supposed that he was not seeking con- 
cealment, as there were apples in the lot. The shoes at the side of the unmade 
bed caused further inquiries. The bank offered a reward of five hundred 
dollars for the discovery of the assassin. The facts were arrived at by degrees, 
and the late Hon. John G. Thurston started for Boston, where he arrived that 
evening. Putting himself in communication with a noted constai)lo, the train 
was laid for the capture of the fugitive. This was effected the next morning. 
The constable receiving word where Otto was stopping, went in and began to 
ask a few questions as to his name, and so forth, and when he was in Lancaster. 
As he showed his handcuffs, Otto knew he was suspected, and inquiied, "Is 
^Ir. Symmes dead?" He made no concealment and no eflTort to escape. He 
was taken to Worcester, and was tried for "assaidt with intent to kill." The 
Hon. Pliny Merrick was the judge, and Ezr.i Wilkinson, Esq., district-attorney. 
The late Judge B. F. Thomas was the prisoner's counsel, and did what was 
jiossible to mitigate the penalty of his client, whose condemnation was secnred 
by his plea of "guilty." The sentence was eighteen years' imprisonment in 
the prison at Charlestown ; fifteen years for the assault upon Mr. S^nunes, 
and three years additional for the assault upon Mrs. S^'mraes. This closes 
the traged}', but there may be a natural curiosity to learn the sequel to so 
strange a story. Otto Sutor behaved well i:i prison, and learned the trade of 
a cabinet-maker. He was a prominent member of the prison choir, and 



ROADS AND WAYS. 73 

assisted thus in the chapel services. When an older prisoner who led the 
choir was discharged. Otto became chorister; and when the old vilhiin was 
returned, for some new oirence, he oflcred to retire, and let the senior again 
take lead in the service of song. There must have been an air of sanctity to 
such devotions ! But Sutor was retained at the head of the singers. At the 
expiration of half the term of imprisonment, efforts were made to procure his 
discharge. The late Hon. Emory Washburn was then governor, 1854, and 
became much interested in behalf of the prisoner ; and he finally pardoned him 
on condition that he should leave the country and never return. He was taken 
on shipboard ; and when the vessel, then in the stream, was about to sail, the 
irons were taken off I)y the officer. 

Otto returned to Hamburg, and favorable reports came back as to his conduct. 



CHAPTER VHI. 

COUNTY ROADS AND OTHER WAYS OF TRAVEL. 

Roads are always an index of the state of civilization. They show how far a 
oommunity has advanced, and they facilitate its progress in all ways of im- 
provcn;ent. Savages have no roads, in the proper sense of the word ; they 
have trails or paths, generally well laid, to suit their convenience. It was 
su with the aborigines whom our fathers found in the wilds of Worcester Coun- 
ty when they came hither in 1G43. There were tracks from one Indian town 
or settlement to another. Longer paths extended from the sea to the Connect- 
icut Valley. Besides, the natives had numerous cross-paths through the woods 
for hunting, and to the best places for fishing. But there was no road on which 
a wheeled vehicle could be drawn in all the county. 

When Sagamore Sholan of Wcshakini (now Washacum), invited Mr. 
King of Watertown, to open a trading-house, or as then styled, a "trucking- 
house," in the valley of the Nashua, there was already an Indian path from the 
ponds in Sterling, by the way of George Hill in Lancaster, and through Sudbury 
to Watertown. Piobably a road had been opened up as far as Sudbury, so that 
teams might pass from that frontier town to Boston. When King opened his 
store for the accommodation of the friendly sachem and his tribe, it is probable 
that the transportation of goods one way, and of pelts the other, was on horse- 
back, though it might have been done, in part, on the backs of sturdy Indians. 
When John Prescott bought out King, the next year, and opened the trucking- 
house in South Lancaster, as now called, his mode of travelling was on horse- 
back, part of the wa}' at least. Some of the pioneers probably came on foot, 
drivinir their cows and other animals that could be moved in that manner. The 



74 COUNTY HISTORY. 



women and children rode, sometimes on led horses, and sometimes on pillions 
behind the husband or in front of the fiUher. 

Almost the first thing done by these first settlers of Worcester Coun- 
ty', was to ra-iko rude ways for getting about. The first year, in which 
three houses were erected, they probably had no time for road-l)uilding ; but 
this great want was soon supplied. The people could move about in ih.^ forest, 
and draw timber for their log-huts or houses with oxen, and could even |)ick 
out a crooked way to Prescott's niill, before taking much pains to make a high- 
way. But there was a necessity for open communication with the hjwer 
towns. Accordingly, a county road was provided for b\' order of the General 
Court, in 1053, when only nine or ten families were in the place. This was 
the year when the town began its corporate existence. The court directed 
that "Sudbury and Lancaster lay out highways betwixt town and town, accord- 
ing to the direction of the court, for the countries use, and then make them 
as needs shall be." This was the principal joute to Boston for many years ; 
and though the great road has been often altered since, the travel l)y teams 
goes by the same general direction to the present day. 

Three years later a county road was opened to Concord. In May or June, 
165G, George Wheeler and John Smalley of Concord, with John Roper and 
Ralph Houghton of Lancaster, reported in these words : " We, whose hands 
are hereunto put, being chosen by Concord and Lancaster, to lay out the county 
highway betwixt the said towns, within the bounds of Lancaster, have acted 
and coucluled that the country highway shall go as foUowcth." It extended 
from about the centre of South Lancaster, across the Centre and the main river, 
and so on through what is now Bolton, towards Concord. By these ways the 
settlers could now communicate with the towns below, and reach the sea-board. 
But the roads were exceedingly rough, safe only to the strongest vehicles, and 
requiring strong teams to move much of a load. 

Meantime, what were the settlers doing by way of opening roads fnjm house 
to house? They took the precaution to live near together. The lots contained 
twenty acres, and were situated on three roads. Some were twenty- rods 
wide by one hundred and sixty in length ; others were forty rods in width by 
eighty rods in length. By this arrangement the houses on one side of the roads 
were about twenty rods apart, and about forty rods apart on the other side. 
There were no intervals between building lots, except at the passage of the 
river, where the intervales were too low for safe habitation. Having made this 
division, it was easy to fix the roads by each man's door. Then came the harder 
work of making the roads ; but at first, it is probable that nothing more was 
done than to cut down trees that stood in the way, fill mud-holes and level a 
few steep pitches. Stones were scarce in the track then laid out. The chief 
difJiculty was in bridging the North River ; but they could easily pass that, 
except in flood, at the place where "the herds did cross." Such was the be- 
ginning in Lancaster. Probably the same was true in regard to Meudon, when 



EARLY TRAVEL. 75 



tli:it town was settled a few years Inter. It was incorporates! in lOGT, fourteen 
years later than Lancaster, l)ut was, no doubt, settled several years before it 
became a town. Belonging to Suffolk County, it had a double need for a county 
road to Hoston. Trading and business relating to the county, and the registra- 
tion of deeds, etc., required constant going to and fro between the mart of 
trade and the shire-town, on the one side, and the new settlement on the other. 
The instinct of safety would cause them to set up their houses in close neigh- 
borhood, because if there were no fear of the natives, wild beasts abounded ia 
the unlimited forests. 

Brookfield, the next town settled in the order of time, was under a like 
necessity for county roads. The nearest settlement on the east in a direct line 
to Boston, was INIarlborough ; the nearest town on the west was Springfield. 
Roads were opened both ways, and thus was started the great road from the 
river to the harbor, which was a stage route for a hundred and fifty years, per- 
haps, and has always been one of the principal thoroughfares of the Common- 
wealth. The people have generally built in close neighborhood, with the meet- 
ing-house near the centre, and thus enjoyed neighborly offices of kindness, as 
well as protection. 

Then began a second stage of road-making. The sons of the first settlers, 
and new-comers into the settlements, took up land in ditlerent parts of the 
townships. In a proprietary town, there were several divisions of laud. In 
one of the old towns there were seven successive allotments. These were 
sometimes given to children as their portion, or they were sold to new 
settlers. 

In each ease there was need (jf a road, however rough, to the meeting-house, 
the mill and the store. This was the origin of many old paths, long since dis- 
used, of which only the fiiintest tradition and the slightest trace remain. An 
experienced road-finder will discover here and there a spot not broken by the 
plough, where once people traveled, with all their hopes and fears, their an- 
tipathies and affections. As each made the most direct svay to the centre, their 
roads were independent till they reached some point of convergence, when the 
common road became a matter of general interest. The old records bear traces 
of bridle-[)aths and cart-ways which have long since gone into disuse ; but what 
wear and tear of cart and oxen ; what straining of human muscle, in making 
and using those ancient highways and by-ways ! And what a draft on mortal 
patience at the same time. These roads from detached houses had to be made 
by the owners of the land. All they could obtain of the town was leave to 
work out their own taxes ; and not always was that favor granted. It became 
necessary, therefore, if the support of the town was to be had, that the roads 
should be altered to go from house to house, and approach the centre by a way 
that would accommodate a whole neighborhood, or a section of the town. If a 
man's barn was so situated that the common road could not l)e bent out of its 
course to pass his house, it became his interest to move his old house to the 



76 COUNTY HISTORY. 



main highway, or build a new one. This was the experience of many farmers ; 
and this being done, the second era of road-building was closed. 

In the meantime there was the same need, though perhaps in less degree, for 
improved facilities of travel between town and town. As a matter of course, 
the roads would go, as nearly as convenient, in a. direct lino from centre to cen- 
tre, without regard to other towns. The people of Harvard, Bolton, Leomin- 
ster and other towus formed from the large domain of Lancaster, wanted to 
visit this ancient centre for various purposes. The settlers in the outlyiu"' 
towns formed from Brookfield, Worcester and !Mendon, felt the need of roads 
to the old centres of trade and assembly. In a less degree each town wanted 
a road to all its border towus. As villages grew up, other roads were 
demanded, which called for a vast expenditure of labor, and of money also, 
for that time. The roads, however, were still rude, crooked, hilly, and, in 
swampy land, made in corduroy style by laying small trees across the track. 
Though science was not applied to improving the means of travel, to any 
appreciable extent, for nearly n century and a half after the first settlement in 
the county, yet, by the constant fixing of the old roads, they became better by 
slow degrees. Sometimes gravel, as well as loam and sand was carted into the 
roadway ; and at times a very bad hill was avoided. But, generally speaking, 
all the ways were hard roads to travel. This state of things continued till 
some years after the close of the Revolutionary War. That was not a favor- 
able time for any public improvements. 

But during the century preceding much had been done to open county roads. 
The constant travel to the shire-town by parties, witnesses, jurymen, law- 
yers, constables and men having business with the various offices of the county, 
created a demand for direct roads from the extremities to the centre of tho 
district. We have seen that tho first county road was laid out from Lancaster 
to Sudbury, and the second fnmi Lancaster to Concord. Lancaster tlien belouTcd 
to Middlesex County. Jlcndon, at tho extreme south-eastern cornerof the county 
belonged to Suffolk. Its roads pointed to Boston ; shire-town, capital, and 
principal sea-port. But as soon as Worcester County was formed, Mendon 
wanted a couuty road to Worcester. The first road of the kind opened under 
the authority of tho county, was from that place to the shire-town. On the 
eighth of August, 1752, Daniel Taft, of Mendon, petitioned the Court of Gen- 
eral Sessions of the Peace, which then had in charge many of the duties now 
devolved upon the county commissioners, to order a road between tho towns 
mentioned above. Taft claimed that there was no public highway or county road 
between Worcester and Mendon, "whereby persons who have daily business to 
transact in the shire-town are greatly damaged." lie asked for a committee to 
view the land between tho two towns, and report. The committee was ap- 
pointed, and they made a report in favor of the petition, on the twentieth of Sep- 
tember. The court ordered the clerk to "make out a warrant directed to the 
ehcriS* or his deputy, to summon a jury of good and lawful men qualified 



COUNTY ROADS. 77 



according to law " ; and being sworn, tlioy were "to lay out the way ahovc 
referred to, according to the best of their skill and judgment." William Jcn- 
nison seema to have been the most prominent man engaged in the I)usiness of 
laying out the roads. This road was changed in its course, from time to time, 
but the main stream of travel has never varied Oir from the line. 

The next j'car, 1733, on the fourteenth of August, Judge John Chandler, 
senior of that name in county annals, then residing in AVoodstock, moved for 
a road from some point on the road between Mcndon and Worcester to the 
southern bound of Dudley, on the present line of Connecticut. Woodstock 
was then in Massachusetts. This road led from the shirc-town to the house of 
the chief judge. The point where it left the Mcndon road was probably near 
the opening of Southbridge Street. A committee as before was appointed, and 
William Jennison was chairman. A favorable report was returned to the Court 
of Sessions, and the road was ordered to be built. 

The next move was for a county road from Sutton to Worcester. This also 
was granted ; and it is supposed that it came through parts of Millbury and 
Auburn. It is not necessary to follow this history minutely. It will be 
enough to state in brief, that a county road was early opened from Lancaster 
by way of Washacum lakes, and from Harvard through the old Common in 
Lancaster, and on by Boylston Centre to Worcester. The i-oad across the 
county, from east to west, through AYorcester to Brookfield, was improved. 
A much-traveled road went from the shire-town, in a southerly direction, and 
extended to Hartford. Another great road, extending from Boston to Hartford, 
cut acrofs the southern section of the county, and was a thoroughfare for sev- 
eral generations. As soon as the towns in the ftorth and north-west part of the 
county were well settled, county roads were opened to the centre, sometimes 
at great cost. One reached from Fitchburg, through Leominster and Sterling to 
Worcester; another from AVinchendou through Gardner, and another still from 
the same town through Templeton to Worcester. Athol, Barre and Petersham 
were connected with the capital of the county in the same way. By the open- 
ing of the present century nearly all the towns in the county were on lines of 
the county road. Other county roads extended across the county towards Bos- 
ton. And here it may bo remarked that the leading spirits of Boston and of 
Worcester have alwaj^s known the value of roads in building up a centre. From 
early times the aim of the influential and enlightened men of our shire-town has 
been to make every county road and town road, every highway and bridle- 
way, every cart-path and cow-track, if possible, point directly to Lincoln Square 
or the Common. And they have had their reward in the growth of the most 
flourishing inland city of New England. 

We come now to another step in the process of locomotion. About the 
beginning of this century there seemed to have been a passion for making 
straight roads. No matter what might be in the way, the road must not turn 
to the right hand nor the left. They went over high hills because the builders 



78 COUNTY HISTORY. 



had learned that a straight line was the shortest distance between two points. 
They seemed to forget that a vertical curve might make as long a sweep as a 
horizontal one. Such ro.ads are to be found in various parts of the county by 
one in search of them. Parts arc still in use, while other parts are grown over 
by woods, and though yet rounded up in the centre, are ignorant of tiie tread of 
feet and the rolling of wheels. Such a road ran, or rather, rose and fell 
between Winchendou Centre and Gardner. Another extended from Tcmplcton 
to Hubbardston, and was in sight of only a house or two in a distance of si.x 
miles. The old road from Lancaster to Worcester went over the steep hills 
north of the village of ^Ycst Boylston. The roaJs fiom Worcester to the west 
and south-west ascended the lofty hills of Cliarlton and Leicester. An old 
stage road came down from Petersham over a branch or si)ur of ^Vachusett 
Mountain, through Sterling, Lancaster, Bolton, and onward to Bostou. 
Those were the great days of stage-coaches, and the " long pulls " up hill, with 
the rush dowu the other side, made a journey exciting and memorable. 

This was also the day of turnpikes, when private companies made a great 
improvement in the ways of travel between certain points, where it was supposed 
the transit of passengers and loaded teams would bring in sufficient tolls to 
keep tlie road in order and pay a dividend. But their day was brief. Thj peo- 
ple disliked the toll gate, and preferred to i)ay for highways by taxation. This 
shifted the expense from the general public to the property owners, or tax- 
payers. The one good result of turnpikes was a better idea of what a road 
should be, thus leading to the actual l)uilding of the modern roads. As a busi- 
ness or speculation the turnpikes were generally a failure. 

Up to this time there were steep giades on the most improved highways. 
It was thought that a high point was reached when the county commissioners de- 
termined that a rise of eight degrees should be the maxinumi. Previous to that 
time it was necessar}', when heavy teams came to high and difficult lulls, to biro 
extra horses or oxen of farmers living near; or for the teamsters to join teams 
till the summit was reached. In general, it may be said that the county roads 
have been in the process of improvement during the last seventy or eighty 
years. The commissioners have been among the most energetic men of the 
county. Col. Lincoln and Gen. Crawford were men of largo capacity, 
and they had worthy associates. Before the decease of the latter chairman of 
the board, it was stated by one very familiar with the subject, that within two 
generations the county roads had undergone so great improvement that the 
same number of horses or oxen could draw twice as much tonnage from the 
extremities to the centre of the couuty, in the same time, as they could at the 
beginning of the period. 

But the limit of improvement had not then l)een reached ; and perhaps there 
has been no period of twenty-five years since the county was settled, in which 
more was done to f\\cilitate travel than in the last quarter of a century. Bo- 
num Nye became chairman of the board of couuty commissioners in 1855 ; 



EARLY BRIDGES. 79 



Asaph Wood succeeded him in 1857, iind in 1858 Velorous Taft was phiced on 
the board. Four years later he was made chairman, in which position he re- 
mained till 1877, thus serving as commissioner about eighteen, and as chairman, 
fifteen years. Din-ing his term the roads were made straighter, where practi- 
cable, the road-beds were improved by the use of good material, and the grade 
was made more uniform. The rule now is that the maximum ascent shall not 
exceed fonr degrees. Under the present efScient board — .Messrs. William O. 
Brown, PIcnry C. Taft and Henry E. Rice, — steady improvement may I)e ex- 
pected, especially in the selection and laying of material for the bed of the 
roads. In former times it was the custom to plough up the wash of the roads 
as found in the ditches, and shovel or scrape it into the centre. Where this 
was not convenient, sand or loam, whichever was nearest by, was carted on, 
and spread with some approach to uniformity. But the first smart shower 
would carry off much of the material, and before the season was over, the road 
would be no better than in the spring. This is too much the way still in the 
making of town ways, but the example of the county commissioners is work- 
ing, slowly, a change throughout the county. And in this way the value of 
property in the county has been augmented many millions within a generation. 
Whatever the expense of supporting the board may have been, the gain, in 
money value, has been manifold. 

Bridges. 

The improvement in the matter of bridges has gone forward, ^^aci pansu, 
with the progress in road-making. At first the brooks were forded at shallow 
and convenient places. The main streams or rivers were passed in the same 
way in summer, and on the ice in winter, except in flood-time. Horses and cows 
were able then, as now, to wade the Quinebaug, the Blackstone, and even the 
Nashua, at frequent crossing-places. Foot-bridges were made by felling tall 
trees across the larger streams. In some places, canoes or small flat-bottom 
boats were used. Ingenuity served the necessity of the early settlers. If 
nothing better served, the men could wade or swim, and could carry the women 
and children in their arms, or on their shoulders. 

It was not long before the small streams were bridged. Wheie narrow it 
was but the work of a few hours to lay a row of stones each side of the stream, 
to place a few logs crosswise, and to cover these with split logs or planks. 
Saw-mills were soon erected, and the materials necessary for bridge-making 
were not hard to find. Larger streams were bridged in the same way, as they 
are at the present time, except that split logs are no longer used. 

Bridging the rivers was a more difiicult and expensive undertaking; and 
difierent rivers required difl"erent treatment. Rock-bottoms, like those of 
Miller's, and some other streams, furnished a solid foundation for abutments or 
trestle-work. Rivers bordered by intervales, like the Nashua, in the greater 
part of their course, supplied no firm basis for a bridge of any kind. Except in 



80 COUNTY HISTORY. 



the upper affluents of the Nashua there were but few spots where a solid bot- 
tom could be found on either side. lu some cases a ledge would crop out on 
one side, but be for below the surface on the other side of the river. The 
trestles, in mid-stroara, would have a precarious supi)ort. If an excavation 
was made a few feet in depth, and filled with stones, for the trestles to rest 
upon, such was the nature of the soil, that a rushing flood would undermine 
them. In other cases, cakes of ice, or the debris of broken dams and mills 
would come down on the top of a freshet, and, striking the trestles midway, 
would break them down, and drop the bridge into the raging torrent. 

There was no special improvement in the mode of building bridges in county 
towns till about the opening of the present century. Arched stone bridges 
had been known in Europe for centuries ; but few, if any, such were to be found 
in the United States. The larger rivers, like the Mcrrimac and Connecticut, 
were bridged with elaborate structures, with stone abutments, and with stone 
piers, at suitable distances. Bridges of this kind stood for generations. 
Occasionally, a section would be broken by a flood, leaving the rest standing. 
But in erecting bridges on the smaller rivers, stone piers were rarely, if ever, 
employed. Trestle-work was the main reliance. The consequence was that 
bridges were the most insecure of all kinds of property. The towns in this 
county, in which large streams abound, were subject to great expense. Espe- 
cially was the Nashua impatient of the works of man, and almost every sea- 
son, — in the spring or f;ill, — its swollen and angry torrent bore away cue or 
more of the numerous bridges which spanned it. 

As stone or hard-pan bottoms were not easily found, the method adopted 
was to lay mud-sills, as they were called, as a basis for the abutments, and the 
abutments were often made of timber. In ordinary years, these contrivances 
would stand the strain of the rise of water, but in a great flood would be pretty 
sure to be swept away. But the chief source of danger was the formation of 
ice in the winter. This would become two or three feet thick, and, being frozen 
firmly to the logs, when the freshet came, would rise, and thus raise the wood- 
work. The water would then rush in behind and under the foundation, and down 
would go the whole bridge, like a child's cob-house. Even when the abutment 
was of stone, laid upon mud-sills, the security was not much greater. With- 
out a solid foundation, the whole edifice is frail. 

About seventy or eighty years ago, the towns on the Nashua began to put 
in stone abutments, and not far from the s.nme time, Farnham Plummcr, a 
mechanic of great ingenuity, then living in Lancaster, invented what was called 
an arched !)ridge. This was not wh.at is generally considered an arch, but was 
an elaborate frame-work, the parts of which were mutually supporting. The 
ends resting on the abutments, the bridge spanned the stream, with no piers to 
sustain the centre. The str.ain was equally distributed to all parts of the struc- 
ture. Tills bridge came into use, and was a great improvement on those which 
preceded it. AV'hcn high enough above the stream, and when the water-way 



BLACKSTONE CANAL. 81 

was sufficiently wido to give passage to the water at the highest flood, these 
bridges wore reasonably secure, and sometimes stood many years. Rut it re- 
quired the sad expcriente of generations to induce our fathers to make the 
water-way of sufficient capacity for the highest floods. Tiiese came at long 
intervals. It may happen that a whole generation will come and go without 
what may be called a "great flood." The oldest men, never having seen the 
water higher than a certain mark, are confident that a bridge at a certain elev.a- 
tion will be safe. It is built accordingly. In a few years, one of (he excep- 
tional floods coraes, and the bridge goes down stream in fragments. Then a 
faint tradition, or an old record turns up, by which it appears that sixty or 
eighty years before, the water rose to the same height. As a general fact it 
will l)e found that bridges are placed too low, and water-ways are too narrow 
for safety, except where long experience has impressed a lesson of caution. 
This is true of brooks, streams and rivers. By the time when Plunimer's 
bridges were first set up, this lesson hud been experimentally learned, and his 
work stood better than any that had preceded. They had, however, in former 
times, a mode of relief, by opening sluices, or building dry bridges, as they 
Avere called, on one or the other side of the main In-idge. When the water 
rose over the intervale, the side sluices became vents, by which it was safely 
carried off, and the large bridge was made secure. Tlie causeways, however, 
being low, they were often swept over by the flood, and sometimes the main 
channel was permanently changed. 

The latest improvement in bridge-making in the county is in securing an 
immovable foundation, at any cost, raising on this a stone abutment, and then 
spanning the stream with an iron bridge. Where firm bottom cannot be reached 
by excavation, piles arc driven with gieat force, till they will descend no fiirther. 
The stone foundation is then laid, and when the work is well done, the struc- 
ture is secure. It is yet an unsidvcd question how long iron bridges will en- 
dure. From time to time such woiks give way, and thus an element of uncer- 
tainty is ever present. These remarks apply specially to bridges on highways. 
Railroad bridges are beginning to be made of stone arches, like the new one 
west of Fitchlmrg, which seems firm enough to resist any force less than a 
convulsion of nature. This is a doidjle arch, with a pier in the middle of the 
stream, by which means the span of the arch is reduced one-half, and the whole 
structure is made more massive. 

The Blackstone Canal Company. 
In treating of modes of travel and transportation, the canal comes in for its 
share of notice. Though the Blackstone Canal was not a county affair, yet it 
extended from the south-east corner to the centre, and was an efficient means 
of promoting business far beyond its terminus, in Worcester. The first agita- 
tion of the subject was in 1704, when, under the lead of Mr. John Brown 
of Providence, a charter was obtained from the legislature of Riiodc Island, 



82 COUNTY HISTORY. 



authorizing the enterprise. Mr. Brown was a man of wealth, intelligence, and 
influence, and he exerted himself to draw business to the chief city of his 
State. In 1796 a petition, signed by citizens of Worcester County, was pre- 
sented to the General Court, praying for au act of incorporation authorizing 
the digging of a canal from the Rhode Island line, through Worcester, to the 
Connecticut River. While this was pending, a counter proposition was pre- 
sented in favor of making a canal from Boston to the valley. Gen. Henry 
Knox surveyed the route. It was thought by some that this was merely a 
move to defeat the Providence and Worcester project. It had that effect, 
whatever its iut'ention. The act of incorporation was not granted. It may 
bo stated, however, in passing, that the plan of a canal from Boston to the 
valley of the Connecticut, and even to the Hudson, was seriously considered 
in later years, and a careful survey was made by Loammi Baldwin, a celebrated 
civil engineer. The route was not by Worcester, but by Fitchbui-g, Wiiichen- 
don, and the valley of Miller's River. This was finally abandoned, and the 
route is now occupied by the Boston and Fitchburg Railroad. 

In 1822 the project of a canal upon the line of the Blackstone was renewed, 
and an act of incorporation was obtained from the legislatures of both States 
in which the work was to be situated. The two companies were consolidated. 
The part of the work within the bounds of Rhode Island was completed in 
1824, and was immediately put to use. In 1826 the first earth was excavated 
on the work in this county, at a spot near Thomas Street, Worcester. The 
enterprise, cariied on by funds raised by subscription, was pursued witli vig.jr; 
and on the seventh of October, 1828, the first boat was received into the upper 
basin, which was not far from Lincoln Square. 

The commissioners of the consolidated board were Edward Carrington, 
Henry R. Jones, and Stephen H. Smith, on the part of Rhode Island, and 
John Davis, John AV. Lincoln, and Sylvanus Holbrook belonging to Jlassachu- 
setts. Thomas Burgess of Rhode Island was the general director, and seems 
to have had the entire management of the canal. The cost of the work was 
about $750,000, more than half of which sum was raised in Rhode Island. 
The length of the canal was not far from fifty miles. 

Though this means of transport has been long disused, it by no means fol- 
lows that its inception and completion were unwise, nor that it failed entirely 
of its purpose. It is the testimony of business men who remember the events 
of the time when the canal was traversed by many l)oats deeply laden, that the 
prosperity of the two termini, Providence and Worcester, was greatly ad- 
vanced, while the villages between were called into existence, or much enlarged. 
The population of Worcester took a start in the decade following the opening 
of the canal, which it has never lost. The town rapidly took the proportions of 
a city, and it became the centre of a more extensive trade. Mechanical and 
manufacturing enterprises came into existence, and the way was prepared for 
Worcester to become the centre of a great network of railroads. Thus causes 



FIRST RAILROADS. 83 



sometimes disuppear and projects seem to fail, while the impulse and momen- 
tum imparted have far-ieachiiig effects. It was thus with the Biackstone Caual 
Company. The corporation is non-extant ; the boats have rotted or been used 
for kindlings, and almost all traces of the canal itself have disappeared from 
the face of the earth ; yet the whole line of the work, as well as the terminal 
cities, remains richer and more populous in consequence of its brief existence. 

Railways ix "Worcester County. 

Boston and Worcester Railroad. — If (he canal project had been postponed a 
few years, it is safe to say that the railway system would have superseded it. 
Only three years after the cauid had been opened its whole length, (he Boston and 
Worcester Railroad Avas incorporated by the General Court. The charter was 
dated June 23, 1831. It took four years (o complete a single track, the road 
being ready for travel by the fourth of July, 1835. There was a formal opening 
of the road two days later, Monday, July G, when, under the direction of a com- 
mittee, headed by the late Judge Charles Allen, (here was a fitting celebration of 
the completion of so important an enterprise. The directors and stockholders, 
numbering more than three hundred, came from Boston and the lower towns in a 
train of twelve cars. The cars at that time were small and rude, compared with 
the Pullman palaces which are now in use on all the main lines of travel. It 
took more than three hours for two locomotives to draw the train from Boston to 
Worcester. Gen. Nathan Heard was marshal of the day, and under his com- 
maud the light infantry and a long procession of citizens escorted the guests 
from the old Foster Street depot to the town (now city) hall. The lower and 
part of the upper floor of the hall were filled with tables, loaded with a beau- 
tiful collation, which was partaken of by (he guests, the committee of arrange- 
ments, and prominent citizens of the town and vicinity. The Hon. Levi 
Lincoln presided at the feast, and favored the large company with one of the 
felicitous speeches for which he was always prepared. Toasts were offered 
and responses were made by John Davis and Edward Everett, the former of 
whom was governor in 1834, and the latter in 1836; by Chief Justice Ward, 
Hon. Alexander H. Everett, Hon. Julius Rockwell, now judge of the Superior 
Court, Hon. George Bliss of Springfield, Hon. Josiah Quincy, Jr., and other 
gentlemen of distinction. 

Thus was opened one of the first railways in the county in the order of 
time, and one of the greatest lines of travel. AVorcester was already a centre 
to which teams and stages converged ; l)ut this event immediately augmented 
the business of transpor(a(ion, from Worcester to the sea-board, beyond the 
expectations of the most sanguine. Not only did the stages and the great 
teams of six, eight and nine horses meet the railway at its western terminus, 
but new business sprung up in the outlying towns, and people were incited (o 
travel by the facility offered. As when some vast upland meadow, saturated 
with water from living springs, has a new and deeper outlet opened on its 



84 COUNTY HISTORY 



ontor rim, and sends down a greater stream, so the railway was a sluice, as 
it were, which drained the whole region, and sent a great tide of business to 
the capital. But, nnliUe the hill-side stream, here was a reflux, and the supply 
was constantly kept up by the returning lido. Not only so, but the sup- 
ply was augmented by the encouragement which came from a near market. 
And this process has been in active operation till this day, increasing po])ulii- 
tion, production and fixed capital. 

Wesfn-n liailvoad. — It seemed an almost superhuman undertaking fifty 
years ago, when the subject was first broached, to make an iron way from Bos- 
ton to the heart of the Commonwealth. But as soon as it was done, the necessity 
was felt for its extension. Travelers wished to go west as well as cast, and the 
business men of Boston had a natural longing for a fair share of the business of 
the Connecticut Vallc}', which thou went to Hartford and New York. Therefore 
measures were soon taken to connect Worcester and Springfield by a railroad, 
and the work was prosecuted with such energy that regular trains began 
running the whole length on the first of October, 1839. Two days later there 
was a public opening of the road, when an excursion party went from Boston, 
"Worcester, and other towns on the lino, to Springfield ; the time of passage, 
including many stops at way-stations, being over six hours. The distance 
from Boston to Springfield is about one hundred miles, and the passage is now 
made by the "lightning express" in less than three hours. The Western Rail- 
road was completed in 1841, to Albanj', the entire length from Boston to 
the State line being one hundred and sixty-two miles. 

The two corporations — the Boston and Worcester, and the Western — contin- 
ued separate fill a few j-ears since, when they were united, and took the name 
of the Boston and AHiany. By its connections at All)any and Schenectady, and 
by its tributary and subsidiary roads, it bears a vast volume of travel and trade 
to and fro between Boston harbor and the far west. 

This is one of the weallhicst corjiorations in the country'. It has been man- 
aged Avith great ability, and its stock is above par. The capital stock amounts 
to $23,231,060. The State is a stockholder to the amount of several millions, 
and the legislature annually chooses two directors on the part of the State. 
The first station in Worcester was in Washington Square, where it met the 
Boston and Worcester line, the depot of which was on Foster, near Main 
Street. The union of the roads finally led to the building of the present im- 
mense Union Depot, which accomodates all the railways which come into the 
city. 

The president of the Western road; from the beginning to its consolidation 
with the Boston and Worcester, was Chester W. Cliapin of Springfield. At 
the union of the two corpoiations he was chosen president, and occupied this 
most responsible position till his resignation, on being elected to Congress in 
1872. His successor, the present incunihent, is Daniel Waldo Lincoln of 
Worcester. 



LATER RAILROADS. 85 



Norwich and Worcester Railroad. — Tho need of a ready means of transpcjit 
to New York by water, led to the building of the Norwich and Woreester iiue. 
This was begun before the road to Springlield was eoia[)leled, aud was opened to 
travel and traffic, from end to end, April 1, 1840. Tho flourishing cities, one at 
either terminus, and tho many rising vilhiges between, gave promise of success ; 
■while the great convenience of a night passage by boat, over the Sound, made 
the promise sure. Passengers from Boston, New Hampshire, and the central 
parts of Massachusetts took this route to such an extent that a first-class Sound 
steamer was required. 

The length of the road from Worcester to Norwich is fifty-nine miles, and 
to Allyn's Point, where it formerly met the steamboats, is about seventy miles. 
At present the trains run through to New London. The stock of the road 
amounts to S3, 178,920. 

At present the road is leased by the Boston, Hartford and Erie Railroad 
Company at a fixed annual percentage on its stock. Though other lines cia 
the Sound have competed with this many years, it does a large business, aud 
cannot fail to be a great route of travel and freight. 

Providence and Worcester Railroad. — Next in order came tho road be- 
tween Worcester aud Providence, by which the need of the canal ceased, 
and its property, as a line of business, lost its value. Not, however, 
till seven years after the opening of the Norwich and Worcester road 
was the Providence and Worcester road completed. The first train from 
the latter place to the former was run over the road on the 25th of 
October, 1847. The opening of the road for business was celebrated by a 
grand demonstration, in Worcester, on the 4lh of November. A large com- 
pany, including officers, stockholders, business men, aud gentlemen of distinc- 
tion, was received at the station at eleven o'clock a.m., and escorted arouud 
the town by a committee of citizens and the officers of other roads connected 
with Woreester. At the town (now city) hall, a numerous assembly of citi- 
zens was read}' to welcome the guests. The address of welcome was made by 
Hon. John Davis. At Brinlcy Hull, the company sat down to an ample fcasl ; 
after disposing of which, many addresses were made by geullemen present 
from Rhode Island, as well as from Boston, Springfield, and other places in 
the Commonwealth. Among others who spoke were Rev. Dr. Wayland, Gov. 
Davis, Gov. Lincoln, Senator Simmons, Nathan Hale, and Judge Washburn. 
John Barstow, the president of the corporation, was at the right of the presi- 
dent of the day, and responded in behalf of tho railroad company. Length of 
the road, forty-three miles; capital, $2,575,920. 

Fitchbarg Railroad. — The Fitchburg Railroad was begun about the 
time when tho preceding road had its origin. It was considered at the time 
a wild project by many. The distance by rail from Boston to Fitchburg is 
nearly fifty miles, and, when the road was built, there was not a large town or 
village on the whole route. The larger towns on the old sta^c lines wonld 



86 COUNTY HISTORY. 



give no encouragement, and the road was really extended through the open 
country, except at Waltham ami Concord. But the energy of the chief agent 
in the enterprise, the lato lion. Alvah Crocker, was equal to the eniergeucj'. 
The road was completed about the year 1845-0, aud the business soon justitied 
the outlay. The capital stock is $4,000,000. 

Worce.'<ler and JVasJiua l!ailroad. — One j'ear later, the road to Naslnia, 
N. H., offered to the traveling public a way into southern New Hampshire, 
and, in connecting with other roads, into the interior of that State. The 
opening of tlie road was on the eighteenth day of December, 1848. It is 
forty-five miles in Icngtli, and the capital stock is over $2,000,000. 

The trains have direct connection with those on the Norwich and Worces- 
ter road, by which passengers to and from New York by boat are accommo- 
dated. Close connection is also made Avith other roads centering in Worces- 
ter. The presidents of the road have been John Davis, Thomas Kinnicutt, 
Pliny Merrick, Alexander De Witt, Stephen Salisbur}', aud George T. Rice, 
all citizens of eminence. Francis II. Kinnicutt has been the president tiic. last 
fourteen years. Charles S. Turner has been the superintendent during the 
same period of time, and Timothy W. Hammond has been clerk aud treasurer 
for thirty years. 

In the year 1875, the road from Nashua to Rochester, N. H., was built by 
the corporation of the Worcester and Nashua Comi^auy. Thus a direct route 
was opened from Portland, «/« Worcester, to New York. Though this has not 
yet been a paying investment, the prospect is favorable f )r tlie future. The 
road is over forty-five miles iu length, and the capital stock is $1,788,025. 

Fitchburg and Worcester Railroad. — This railway, extending from 
Fitchburg to Sterling Junction, where it connects with the Worcester and 
Nashua, is fourteen miles in length, miking the distance from AVorcester 
to Fitchburg about twenty-six miles. The first president was C. W. Wilder, 
M. D., of Leominster, who was efficient iu building the road. The second 
president was Col. Ivers Phillips, then of Fitchburg. In 18G6 this was 
consolidated with the Boston, Clinton and Fitchburg road, which has re- 
cently been sold out to the Old Colony i-oad. Before the opening of 
other and competing roads, there were many passengers over this from the 
north and west ; now the travelers arc mostly from three or four towns on the 
line of the road, except that part of it which is between Pratt's Junction and 
Fitchburg. One man — Henry H. Pennimau, who, in the mind of the public, 
has been identified with this line of travel almost from the beginning — has 
been conductor about twenty-eight years. 

Boston, Barre and Gardner Railroad. — The long and sounding name 
of this road might well be shortened to the Worcester and Winchcndon 
Railroad, between which places it extends. But the name has an honest 
origin, though a little over-strained. It was designed to connect Barre 
with Gardner, aud both with Boston, by some route or other. In fact, 



WAGONS AND COACHES. 87 



Gardner has been connected with Worcester, but the iiDithcrn terminus is 
Wiuchendon, and Barre is k-ft far off from the line. At AVinchendon it has 
good connections, which will some day give it much business. This road was 
opened to Gardner, Sept. 4, 1871, and to AVinchendon a little more than three 
years later, Jan. 5, 1874. By the opening of the Ware River road from 
Palmer to Winchcndon, the latter place has become a railroad centre. The 
Cheshire road connects it with all the great north-west, and the Monadnock 
road, with its extension from Hillsborough to Concord, opens all the central 
and northern parts of New Hampshire. This latter connection affords great 
facilities to the large chair manufactories of Gardner, supplying them with the 
requisite material. Col. Ivers Phillips was the first, and Hon. Ginery 
Twichell was the second president of this road. 

The above is a rapid sununary of the enterprise of the people of Worcester 
County, in all their generations, to provide themselves with avenues for 
traveling, and for transporting the products of their farms, workshops, and 
manufactories. But the improvement in roads has not been greater than in 
vehicles. From the iirst rude carts and sleds to the wagons, carriages, stages, 
landaulets, barouches, omnibuses, and palace cars in present use, is as great a 
change as from the primitive cart-track to the macadamized road and the rail- 
way. The first vehicle, after the shoulders of a man or the back of a horse, 
was a two-wheeled cart. This was made strong, because no other vehicle 
could endure the wear and tear of the roads. The wheels which had to 
encounter stumps and stones, and the racking of gullies and mud-holes, must 
needs be made of solid oak, and the parts well compacted. Four-wheeled 
carts or wagons were of later origin, and could bear no comparison with vehi- 
cles of the same name which are now used by our farmers, to say nothing of 
those employed by city traders and express ofEces. 

The early wagon for family use was not much removed from the ox-cart in 
point of ease of motion or elegance of make. It had four wheels, but was as 
homely as the cart, and differed mainly in being smaller and of less weight. 
Paint was often wanting, and springs were unknown to the first generations. 
A few gentlemen in Boston and Salem had coaches, but these were so uncom- 
mon as to give a sort of distinction to the owners. In country towns, they 
were never seen, unless the governor or some man of means and eminence was 
" making a progress " with his attendants. The first carriages that had any 
pretension to elegance in this county were owned in Lancaster, as is supposed, 
as that town led all the others in population and wealth, and it seems, in the 
early times, to have had a closer connection, socially, with the capital. The 
old lists show that a few carriages were taxed in that town, while other towns 
were innocent of what was considered extravagance by many. When the chaise 
came into use, there were families in Lancaster who availed themselves of the 
luxury. This they could do more readily than the people of many towns, 
because of the comparative safety of the roads. But others soon followed the 



88 COUNTY HISTORY. 



example ; and, not long after the Revolution, decent and even elegant carriages 
began to be used by some families iu all parts of the county. Yet even these 
were heavy and clumsy, compared with the light, airy, elegant, yet strong 
vehicles which come from the factories in Amesbnry, New Haven, and other 
places where the business of making them is a specialty. County roads, as 
well as viihige and city streets, make the safe and conifortal)le use of these 
devices for luxurious motion possible. The money which many rich men put 
into a carriage and harness would furnish an equal number of poor men with a 
house and garden. The best wood, the strongest steel, the richest velvet, the 
hardest and finest varnish, combined with brass and silver and golden trim- 
mings, put together by the most skilled workmanship, all unite to make an 
exquisite work of art. 

And all this is equalled or surpassed in the latest style of palace cars, with 
dining-rooms, and sleeping-rooms, and apartments adorned with admirable 
paintings on the panels. What further improvements are to bo made in this 
line, and in the general facilities for travel and transportation, defies conjecture. 
The achievements of the past, however, suggest that there are possibilities to 
be worked out in the future. The record of these, so far at least as they come 
under the supervision of county officers, must be left to the future historian of 
the localit}'. 

A word may be added in regard to roads which do not meet in the centre of 
the county, as the location and crossing of these lines of travel arc subject, to 
a certain extent, to the county commissioners, and as they are of not merely 
local, but of general convenience and interest. The Fitehburg and Boston 
Railroad was opened through its whole length in the year 1845, and has 
become one of the great thoroughfares of the county by connection with the 
Hoosac Tunnel. The Vermont and Massachusetts, and the Cheshire road 
were built soon after, as continuations, but by distinct corporations. These 
three roads accommodate all the towns in the northern part of the county. 

The road from Framingham to Milford and BcUingham ; the road from the 
same place to Ashland; the road from Framingham to Lowell ; and the road 
from Fitehburg, via Clinton and Northborough, to Framingham, meet the 
wants of the traveling public in the eastern section of the county. Tlie Ware 
River road, from Winchendou to Palmer, docs the same office for the western 
towns, except Sturbridge. An extension from Blackstone to Southbridgo 
<rive3 a cross road for the convenience of the southern tier of towns. A 
continuation of this, through Southbridge to Brookfield or Palmer, is in con- 
templation. 

In addition to these are shorter roads, which serve as feeders to the larger 
lines, and connect secluded, but flouris'iing villages with the outside world. 
One extends from North Brookfiel'^ ... East Brookfield, and proves its right 
to be by its success. Another reaches from the centre of Spencer to the line 
of the Boston and Albany road, at the south part of the town. There is a 



THE COUNTY AS A UNIT. 89 



branch road, also, from Ashhurnhain Jiiiiclion to the centre of the town. Pos- 
sibly there are a few other short lines which htivo escaped notice. 

Besides these, there is the Lanca^^ter Railroad, which extends from South 
Lancaster to Hudson. This road has been graded, the rails have been 
laid and the bridges built, though, for some cause not fully known to the 
public, it has never been opened for travel. The Massachusetts Central Rail- 
road was chartered several years since, and much work was done, but, before 
completion, the stringency of the times compelled a cessation of labor. 
Recently, work has been resumed, and the prospect is that, ere long, trains 
will be running along the line. This road crosses the county from side to 
side, and opens the way to Boston on the one hand, and to the Connecticut 
Valley on the other. Capitalists have confidence in its prospective success. 
By all these ways, many run to and fro ; and it is to be hoped that not only 
business, but knowledge may be increased thereby. 



CHAPTER IX. 

WORCESTER COUNTY AS A POLITICAL UNIT. 

Counties are not merely judicial districts of the Commonwealth, but, as in 
England, they are political factors of the body politic, and are represented in 
the government of the State. There is a difference, indeed, inasmuch as coun- 
ties are there represented in the lower house, and the boroughs in the county 
may and do have representatives in the same body ; while with us the towns 
send delegates to the house of representatives, and the counties are represented 
in the upper house or senate. At the time of the adoption of the State 
Constitution it was arranged that each town should have one or more delegates 
to the General Court, and each county one or more senators in the upper house. 
Each town was a political unit, or constituent element of the State. In like 
manner, each county was a political unit. Its senators, whether one or many, 
were chosen on a general ticket, and the county spoke with one voice in the 
upper branch of the legislature. This arrangement gave political importance 
to a county, and secured the election of senators whose reputation reached 
beyond the limits of their own town. It secured another result also, quite as 
important. The same man, when found qualified, was chosen year after year, 
for a decade or longer, and was in each succeeding year better qualified, by age, 
experience, and increasing knowledge, to perform the duties of his high oflSce. 

It was an honorable distinction to be the representative of a largo county in 
the General Court, and men of al)ility and character were willing to serve the 
public for a term of years. The old towns also, before the modern divisions 

13 



90 COUNTY HISTORY. 



and subdivisions into small municipalities, were respectable units in the com- 
position of the State, and many men acquired a high standing as their repre- 
sentatives. But this has passed away. The district system has brought about 
the result, that men from different parts of the district follow each other at 
short intervals, leaving to but few the opportunity to become experienced iu 
the business of legislation, and to acquire a reputation throughout the Common- 
wealth. 

Especially is this true iu regard to the senate. " Great counties," said Dr. 
Dwi<Tht, " have a seuse of importance and dignity which is eminently useful. 
It prompts to honorable and beneficial conduct, and prevents much of that 
■which is little, degrading, and, of course, mischievous. The same things are 
true, mutatis mutandis, of subdivided townships and parishes. Where men 
are impatient to become judges, sheriffs and county clerks ; to be representa- 
tives, selectmen, or even parish committees, these unfortunate subdivisions 
•will, however, be pushed so earnestly and so long as in the end to be accom- 
plished." A regard for convenience has had some influence in causing these 
changes, but the ambition of meu of moderate abilities has been busy iu pro- 
ducing the result. Men who could never hope to represent a county can 
continue to rise into notice in a district of limited extent. As senatorial and 
representative districts are not permanent divisions of the State, but only 
temporary aggregations of towns, the consequence is that each town clamors 
for its turn to furnish the senator or representative ; and thus very few men, 
though largely endowed with talents for the office, serve more than two years 
in succession in the senate, while more than half the house of representatives 
is annually filled with new men. 

When the State Constitution went into operation in October, 1780, Worcester 
Countj' was entitled to four senators. The names of those chosen, on a general 
ticket, were Samuel Baker, Joseph Dorr, Israel Nichols, and Jonathan Warner. 
The same men were re-elected iu 1782. A change was made the uext year by 
electing Seth Washburne instead of Joseph Dorr. 

The arrangement in 1784 was this: Samuel Baker, Seth Washburne, Israel 
Nichols, Jonathan Warner. Mr. Baker led the ticket, but the others were 
changed, at times, in the order of their place. Some of these names continue 
to recur for a series of years. For example : Mr. Baker held the office as 
many as ten years, and, with one or two intervals, in annual successioQ. He 
also headed the list eight years out of ten. Mr. Nichols was senator six years 
in succession. The others were elected several times. 

In 1785 John Spraguo of Lancaster was a member of the senate board, and, 
doubtless, would have been elected again and again if he had not been called to 
fill other places. He had abilities and character fitting him for the highest 
positions, either legislative, judicial or executive. The next year Abel 
Wilder of AVinchendon was elected to the senate, and was continued in the 
office, by annual election, until 1792, when his lamented death prevented his 



SENATORIAL LIST. 91 

promotion to a higher position. IIo was one of those rare men who do every- 
thii)<T eommittod to them with unerring discretion ; and wiio, without sacriliuiug 
their self-respect, retain the confidence and esteem of their fellow-citizens. 

In the year 1787 the number of senators allotted to Worcester was increased 
to tive, and the following were elected : Seth Washburne, Abel Wilder, Amos 
Sincletary, John Fessenden, Joseph Stone. It is noticeable that the wild 
excitement in the time of the "Shays Rebellion" left the majority of the 
senators in their place, though there was a great change in the representation 
of the towns, and in some towns a complete revolution in filling the various 
town ofEces. Fessenden, Singletary, Warner and Grant appear in the sena- 
torial list several years in succession. Moses Gill heads the cohmm in 1789. 
The next year the number of senators was four, but in 1793 the number 
of senators appears to have been five again, with Moses Gill at the bead. He 
was known in our annals as lieutenant-governor, in whose honor the town of 
Gill received its name. This gentleman lived in Princeton, in which was 
situated the large estate which came into his possession on the decease of his 
wife, a daughter of Rev. Dr. Thomas Prince of Boston. "Here," says Dr. 
Dwight, "he built a house, which, connected with its appurtenances, is more 
splendid than any other in the interior of the State." 

The name of Samuel Baker appears for the last time in 1794, thirteen years 
after his first election, and the honored names of Timothy Bigelow and Salem 
Towne take (heir place in the senatorial roll. Warner's name disappears after 
the year 1795, and we find the names of Stearns, Bigelow (both Timothy and 
Daniel), Towne, Brigham, Taft and Hale, till 1807, when Jonas Kendall 
comes into view. 

From 1800 to 1821, Mhen the apportionment was made under the new 
census, the county bad four senators. Some of the most prominent were 
Francis Blake, Seth Hastings, Solomon Strong, Levi Lincoln, Jr., afterwards 
governor, Moses Smith, Thomas II. Blood, Daniel Waldo, and Salem Towne, 
Jr. 

The five men who bore the honor in 1822 were Aaron Tufts, Salem Towne, 
Jr., Benjamin Adams, Nathaniel Jones, and S. P. Gardner. Some of them 
had been elected before, and had served with Silas Holman, John Spurr, Oliver 
Crosby, James Phillips, James Humphreys, Samuel Eastman, Lewis Bigelow, 
and John Shipley. Five was the number until the apportionment under the 
census of 1830. The following list will show, year by year, how many were 
re-elected, and what proportion of them were of sufficient eminence to be 
remembered to the present day. 

In 1823 the following were elected : Benjamin Adams, S. P. Gardner, Aaron 
Tufts, Nathaniel Jones, Nathaniel P. Denn\'. 

Four of these were chosen in 1824, with a change of position as follows : 
Aaron Tufts, S. P. Gardner, Benjamin Adams, Nathaniel P. Denny, Joseph 
G. Kendall. 



92 COUNTY HISTORY. 



1825. Joseph G. Kendall, B. Taft, Jr., William Eutuii, Xalhauiel Hough- 
ton and William Crawford, Jr. 

182G. Jonas Sibley, Joseph G. Kendall, William Crawford, Jr., Xalbauiel 
Houghton, B. Taft, Jr. 

In 1827 three new men came into the board, making the following li.>t : 
Aaron Tufts, Joseph G. Kendall, Joseph Bowman, John W. Lincoln, Joseph 
Davis. Mr. Lincoln was re-elected several years, and afterwards held other 
offices of importance. He was one of that class of men who build up the place 
of their residence. By his means every highway, road, and even cart-palh 
through the woods, was made to point, so far as possible, to AVorcester. This 
public spirit was a benefit to the whole county. 

1828. Edward Cushing, Joseph Davis, Joseph Estabrook, John W. Lincoln, 
Joseph Bowman. 

1829. John W. Lincoln, Lovell Walker, David Wilder, Samuel Mixtcr, 
William S. Hastings. All were chosen again in 1800. 

1831. John W. Lincoln, David Wilder, William S. Hastings, James 
Draper, Kufus Bullock. All were re-elected in 1832. 

In 1833, under the new arrangement, Worcester County was found entitled 
to six senators, and the following gentlemen were chosen : David Wilder, 
William S. Hastings, Charles Hudson, Ira M. Barton, Samuel Mixtcr and 
Samuel Lee. These were all men of prominence, as was Mv. Bullock, chosen 
in the preceding years. Judge Barton was judge of probate several years, 
and stood high at the bar and in public esteem. Mr. Hudson was a distin- 
guished member of Congress, by repeated elections. During the eight years 
from 1833 to 1840, inclusive, the county was entitled to forty-eight senators. 
The number of persons elected was twenty-four. Some of these were chosen five 
or six years, others but oue or two. These are the names, some of which are 
still remembered outside of their immediate neighborhood : David AVilder, 
William S. Hustings, Charles Hudson, Ira M. Barton, Samuel Mixler, and 
Samuel Lee, all of the year 1833, and Rejoice Jsewton, Charles Russell, George 
A. Tufts, Waldo Flint, Charles Allen, Linus Child, Ethan A. Greenwood, 
William Hancock, James G. Carter, Thomas Kinnicutt, Artemas Lee, James 
Allen, Charles Sibley, Samuel Wood, Jedediah Marcy, Benjamin Estabrook, 
Kathaniel Wood, Charles C. P. Hustings. The last six were new men, 
otherwise the average term of the whole would have been greater. There was 
a political revolution in 1810, when Judge Marcus Morton was chosen gover- 
nor. It lasted only a single year, when the Whig party was again in the 
ascendant. In the above list are the names of some who were specially 
eminent in the county, state, and national annals. James G. Carter was a 
leading spirit in the movement which resulted in the elevation of our public 
school system. Mr. Kinnicutt was a lawyer of some distinction, and judge of 
jirobate. Linus Child stood in the front rank of our public men, during a long 
period. Charles Allen, as lawyer, senator, congressman and judge, was second 



REPRESENTATION. 93 



to few ill the Slate in distinction, and to none in sagacity, integrity, sonnd 
jndgmcnt, mental force and moral greatness. 

By the census of 1840 the representation of the county in the State senate 
was airain reduced to five. In 1841 the following were elected to the oflicc : 
James Allen, C. C. P. Hastings, Aniory Ilolman, SamuelWood, Emory Wash- 
burn. The next year INIr. Hastings was replaced by Alexander De Witt. 
In 1843 another Democratic wave flowed over the State, and this county felt 
the effects in a new list of senators, Benjamin Estabrook, Solomon Strong, 
Isaac Davis, John Spurr, Ariel Bragg. But next year the political wheel 
revolved, and all these senators, except Mr. Strong, were made to give place 
to Levi Lincoln, Linus Child, Alexander De Witt, and Daniel Hill. The 
Whigs then had their own way during four or five years, when the Free-Soil 
party, in coalition with the Democrats, took the oiBces in the year 1850. 

The senators in 1845, and the years following till 1849, were as follows: 
Levi Lincoln, Linus Child, Daniel Hill, Joseph Stone, John G. Thurston, 
Stephen Salisbury, Calvin Willard, Jason Goulding, George Denny, Nahum F. 
Bryant, Alfred D. Foster, Alanson Hamilton, John Brooks, Alexander H. 
Bullock, Ebenezer D. Ammidown, Paul Whitin, Ebenezer Torrey. These 
were strong men, and by reason of position, business connections, great abilities, 
or superior cultivation, were fitted to sit around the senate table. Mr. De 
Witt represented his district in Congress several years in succession. Mr. 
Foster was highly esteemed in his official place ; Mr. Washburn, as judge, gov- 
ernor, professor in the law school in Cambridge, and author of several treatises, 
has a permanent f^ime ; and Mr. Bullock, as representative, senator, speaker 
of the house, and governor, has jiroved himself worthy of still higher pro- 
motion. 

In 1850 the coalition above-mentioned secured the election of several, if not 
all of its candidates, viz. : Alexander De Witt, Pliny Merrick, John Raymond, 
Amasa Walker, and Edward B. Bigelow. This continued till 1855, when the 
"Know-Nothing" episode in our political history arose, and like an overflow- 
ing flood, buried all other combinations and parties many fathoms deep. The 
senators from 1851 to 1854, inclusive, were these : Messrs. Do Witt, Bigelow, 
Francis Howe, Giles H. Whitney, Moses Wood, Freeman Walker, Elmer 
Brigham, John S. C. Knowlton, Albert Alden, Sullivan Fay, Elisha Murdock, 
Ivers Phillips, Charles Thnrber, Anson Bugbee, Isaac Davis, Joseph W. 
Mansur, Joseph Whitman. 

The Know-Nothing party, in 1855, took the lead in the senatorial elections 
in this county, and lironght to the surface five men who had not before been 
prominent in public life. These arc the names : Henry W. Bonchley, Albert 
A. Cook, Edward Denny, Jabez Fisher, and Alvan G. Underwood. 

Worcester took an active part in the organization of the Republican party of 
this State in the year 1855, and although the new party did not. succeed in 
electing its State ticket till at the annual election of 1857, yet it carried this 



94 COUNTY HISTORY. 



county by a very large majority in 1856, the first year in which the 
Repuhlican party assumed a national organization, with John C. Fremont 
as its candidate for the presidency.* In that year, 1856, our senators were 
Francis 11. Dewey, Jabez Fisher, Artcmas Lee, Velorous Taft, and Salem 
Towne. This was a mixture of old and new blood, but animated by a new 
spirit. Mr. Taft has since then served the count}' a long period, as a member 
of the board of county commissioners, of •which he was chairman many years. 
Mr. Dewey has occupied with honor a seat on the bench of the Superior Court, 
since 1869. The senators chosen in 1857 were, J. F. Hitchcock, George F. 
Hoar, William Mixter, Velorous Taft, and Ohio Whitney, Jr., all men of in- 
fluence and character. Mr. Hoar has been in one or the other house of 
Congress since 1869. 

In 1857 the counties were cut up into senatorial districts; and the towns, 
separately or in groups, were made into representative districts. The sena- 
torial districts of this county were six, designated as follows : Central, South- 
east, South-west, West, North-east, East. These wore represented b}' the 
gentlemen whose names follow in the same order as the districts above-men- 
tioned : John Milton Earle, John G. Metcalf, Oliver C. Felton, Charles Field, 
Goldsmith F. Bailej', Lucius 8. Allen. This arrangement continued till the 
year 1865, when the State censns required a new apportionment, and our num- 
ber of senators was reduced to live. But during the seven years from 1859 
to 1865, inclusive, the central district was represented by Dexter F. Parker, 
two j'ears, when ho wont to the war for the suppression of the Rebellion, and 
gave his life to his country ; Ichabod Washburn, one year; Harllc}' Williams, 
two years, and E. B. Stoddard, two 3ears. 

From the south-east district went John G. Metcalf, one year; Alvin Cook, 
one year ; Winslow Battles, two 3-ears ; William R. Hill, two years, and Moses 
B. Southwick, one 3'ear. From the south-west district were sent the fol- 
lowing: William Upham, Nathaniel Eddy, Sylvester Dresser, Rnfus B. 
Dodge, Asher Joslin, John D. Cogswell, Emerson Johnson, each one year. 
The west district was represented by Charles Field, one 3'ear ; Jason Gorham 
and Freeman Walker, one year ; Henry Smith, one j'car ; George Whitney', two 
years, and Charles Adams, Jr., one year. From the north-east district went 
these: W. D. Peck, Goldsmith F. Bailey, T. E. Glazier, Alvah Crocker, 
Israel C. Allen, Solon S. Hastings, and Joel Merriam, each one year. The 
members from the east district bore these names : Al)raham M. Bigelow, John 
E. Stone, and Thomas Rice, Benjamin Boynton, Charles G. Stevens, Hosca 
Crane, William Russell, and Milo Hildreth, each for one term It is an 
obvious truth that no man, whatever his abilities, could acquire much 
experience, influence, or distinction, in the service of a single year. 

• TliLTO was a notable lueetinj; held in Worcester on the lOtU of June, 1854, at which was 
adopted a well-rememhcrcd resolution, written, it is said, hy Ilenry Wilson, as follows: " Hfsolml, 
That in cooperation with the friends of freedom in sister States, wo hereby form the Kcpnblican 
Party of Massachnsetts." IJiit tho efficiency of this meeting was lost in the coufusiuu that ensued 
that year, and nothing seems to have really como of it. 



DISTRICT PLAN. 95 



In tho year 1866 the county had six senators, elected in the above order, 
with these names : Lucius W. Pond, Moses D. Southwick, Ebenezer Davis, 
Chark's Adams, Jr., Aivah Crocker, and George S. Ball. But in this year the 
law reduced the number of senators, for the following ten years, to five. 
From (his time, also, the districts Avere numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. The first dis- 
trict, which consisted of the city of Worcester, was represented by Lucius W. 
Pond, two years; Francis H. Dewey, part of a year; George M. Kice, who 
filled out the term, and was elected again two years ; Adin Thayer, two years ; 
George F. Thompson, one year; George F. Very, two years; Edward L. 
Davis, one year. 

The second district, which included the towns in the south-eastern section of 
the county, sent the following men to the senate: George S. Ball, one year; 
Jonathan D. "Wheeler, one year ; Charles A. Wheelock, two years ; J. II. 
Wood, one year; S. M. Griggs, two years; Jeremiah Getchell, two years; 
Aaron C. Mayhew, one year. 

The third district embraced the south-western towns, and was represented 
by the following gentlemen: Luther Hill, one year; Frederick D. Brown, one 
year; Lucius J. Knowles, one year; George W. Johnson, one year; A. W. 
Bartholomew, two years ; Henry L. Bancroft, two years ; Washington Tufts, 
one year ; Emory L. Bates, one year. 

From the fourth district, consisting of the towns in the north-western 
division of the county, were sent these senators : John G. IMudge, two years ; 
George M. Buttrick, two years ; Baxter D. Whitney, two years ; N. L. John- 
son, two years ; INIoses L. Ayers, two years. 

The fifth or north-eastern district sent John H. Lockey, two years ; Francis 
B. Fay, one year ; Henry C. Greeley, two years ; George A. Torrey, two 
years ; Amasa Norcross, one year ; C. H. B. Snow, one year ; Elisha Bi imhall, 
one year. Thus it appears that in some of the districts one year of service 
is the rule, with occasional exceptions ; in others, and the larger part, two 
years is the rule, with occasional exceptions of one year. But in no case, be- 
tween 1866 and 1876 did one of these districts send the same man to the 
senate more than two years. The rule has been, not to keep the best men in 
the public service, but to give men in the different towns of the district a 
chance to hold office, and bear the title of honorable during tho rest of their 
lives. Under this system, many able and worthy men are elected ; but how 
much the character of the senate would be elevated, if even the same 
men should hold office for five or ten years, according to the earlier 
custom ! 

By the legislature of 1877, the grouping of towns in the several districts 
was somewhat changed, owing to a relative change in the population of differ- 
ent sections. As this arrangement will probably continue for seven or eight 
years, it will be convenient to have tho names of the cities and towns compos- 
ing the five districts inserted in this place. 



9(5 COUNTY HISTORY. 



1. The city of Worcester constitutes the first seaatorial district. 

2. The second district comprises the towns of Bi;ickstone, Boylston, 
Douglas, Grafton, Mendou, Miiford, Xorthborough, Northbridge, Shrewsbury, 
Southborough, Upton, Uxl)ridgc, and Westborongh. 

3. The third district includes the towns of Auburn, Brookficld, Charlton, 
Dudley, Leicester, Millbury, Oxford, Southbridge, Spencer, Sturbridge, Sut- 
ton, Warren, Weiister, and West Brookficld. 

4. In the fourth district arc the towns of Atbol, Barre, Dana, Gardner, 
Hardwick, Iloldcn, Hubbardston, New Braintroo, North Brookficld, Oakham, 
Paxton, Petersham, Phillipstou, Ro3'alston, Rutland, Templeton, and Win- 
chcndon. 

5. The fifth district embraces the city of Fitchburg, and the towns of Ash- 
buriiham, Berlin, Bolton, Clinton, Harvard, Lancaster, Leominster, Lunen- 
burg, Princeton, Sterling, Westminster, and West Boylston. 

Under this arrangement the senators were elected as follows, during the last 
three years: From the first district, George S. Barton, in 1877 and 1878; 
Henry C. Rice, in 1879. 

The second district was represented by Aaron C. Ma^liew, one 3'ear ; and 
William Knowlton in 1878 and 1879. 

The senators from the third district were Ebeuezer B. Lynde in 1877 and 
1878 ; and James W. Stockwell in 1879. 

From the fourth district were sent Charles Adams. Jr., in 1877 and 1878 ; and 
Alpheus Harding in 1879. 

The fifth district sent Elisha Brimhall, in the year 1877; and Charles II. 
Merriam in 1878 and 1879. 



CHAPTER X. 



THE SPIRIT OF WOUCESTER COUNTY IN THE REVOLUTION. 

The real spirit of the people before and during the Revolutionary struggle 
will be found in the annals of the several towns, and, doul)tless, each local 
historian will do justice to his own place. There was no lack of instances, 
full of the most intense patriotic feeling, in all directions. But some action 
was taken that united the people of different sections of the county as one 
body. For example, the action of juries in refusing to sit, and act with 
certain judges, represented the spirit of the times, and affected the rights of 
ail the people. 

The General Court had a contest with the crown in relation to the payment 
of the judges of the highest courts in the Colony. In general, the Colony was 
quite willing that the home government should furnish all the money that was 



THE TORY PROTEST. 97 



ueedcd to support her authority, or to aid the people in any way, but they 
resented the plan of the crown to pay the judges. It was expected that the 
royal governors would be inclined to support royal suprciUMcy, and the General 
Court had uo check but the power to give the governor a liberal or a small 
salary. In relation to the judges, however, the General Court, and the people 
felt that the cause of justice required the judges to be independent of the 
crown. The ground takeu was, that the judge who should receive a salary from 
the crown, and without a grant from the provincial government, should be con- 
sidered an enemy of his country. Judge Peter Oliver, chief justice, would 
not yield, whereupon the patriots resolved that he shoidd hold no more courts. 
"When he came to Worcester to open a session, the jury, with David Wilder 
of Lancaster as their foreman (as some say), gave him to understand that they 
would not sit under him. He was obliged to desist, and his judicial life was 
virtually ended. The jury, being from different towns, spoke the voice, and 
evinced the spirit of the whole county. 

The Tories or Loyalists, as it is now the fashion of some writers to style them, 
had a meeting, called by t!ie selectmen of Worcester, to consider what would 
be the consequence of resisting the course of justice. Most of the lawyers 
of the county were in sympathy with the meeting, which was held June 20. 
1774, and was addressed by Col. James Putnam, then at the head of the 
Worcester bar. A protest against the action of the patriots was presented, but 
the town, by a vote of five to one, refused to receive it. The high sheriff at 
the time was Gardner Chandler, belonging to the most influential family in 
the county. By his influence the protest was entered on the records. 

The town was in a flame. A meeting was warned to meet on the twenty- 
second of August. It was fully attended. The people, though indignant, 
took two days to deliberate. Thinking and resolving went on rapidly during 
those two days, because momentous results were in the balance. The town 
voted that the clerk should be required to expunge, erase, blot out, and for- 
ever obliterate the obnoxious record. The action of the Senate of the United 
States in merely drawing a black line around the recorded censure of Gen. 
Jackson, was mere child's play in comparison. The clerk of the town of 
Worcester was not only to expunge the hated protest with his pen, but by dip- 
ping his finger in the ink, and rubbing it all over the recorded protest. Be- 
sides he was compelled to make acknowledgment of wrong-doing before the 
town. The signers of the protest were required to make a public recantation. 

The method was characteristic of the times, and made an ineflfaceable im- 
pression on the minds of all who were inclined to the side of royal authority. 
The patriots invited their brethren in other towns to come together, and aid 
in curbing the Tory spirit. On the day of the town meeting held for carrying 
out their plans, companies marched into Worcester from other parts of the 
county, to the number of two or three thousand. Timothy Paine, who was 
thought to bo a not very ardent patriot, had been appointed a mandamus 



98 COUNTY HISTORY. 



counsellor, (ho niethod then in voirne to hriiie doulitful men into lo\'aIty. 
One object was to comi)el him to resign, and to give a writing to that otlect. 

Under the influence of this great popular uprising, most of the signers of 
the protest recanted. The troops, as the hastily gathered men, witli arms in 
their hands, were called, formed in two lines on Main Street, and extended 
from the court-house to the Old South Church. The protesters were required 
to march throngii the open ranks, from end to end of (he line. At intervals 
the march (vas arrested, and their recantation was read in (he hearing of the 
different sections of the crowd. To men of spirit this must have been a more 
'"ailing ordeal than running the gaimtlet, and receiving the chance l)lows (hat 
might light on the back of the swift runner. Moreover, the efToct would be 
more lasting. The mark of the blow would be soon cflfaccd ; it might awaken 
sympathy; but the humiliation of recanting one's political faith, renouncing 
his loyalty, and being triumphed over by neighbors, some of whom were held 
in small esteem, remained as a perpetual sense of wrong and degradation. 
Doubtless, if the king had succeeded in the Revolutionary struggle, the 
Loyalists would have taken fearful vengeance. 

This demonstration answered its design. The spirit of opposition to the 
popular cause was cowed if not extinguished. Tor3'ism did not show its head 
again. The leading men of the king's party slipped off to Boston, and left the 
country. Others kept quiet; and others still, who hud not taken the fatal step 
of joining (ho royal forces, learned soon the nature and prospects of the quar- 
rel, and became ardent i)atriots. 

The grim humor of our fathers must have been noticed by the students of 
our early history. This scene in (he main street of Worcester, a century 
since, is an excellent specimen. It was not enough that a crowd of armed 
men should come out in battle array, and that a committee, sitting in solemn 
conclave, should call the protestors before them, and require a recantation. 
That would have been effectual. But that did not suit the hnmor of the 
times. Rather (here must be a procession, and a spectacle. Every soldier 
must look every Tory in the face ; sec him march through the double line ; hear 
him, at suitable distances, read his recantation, and then go on with downcast 
look to the end ; and during all the process, each and every of the double 
rank must contribute a word of jeer, or joke, or sarcasm, to give poignancy 
to the pangs of the proud, and at the same time, mingle pleasantry with the 
more sombre features of the drama. 



SHAYS' RERELLIOX. 99 



CHAPTER XI. 



SHAYS' REBELLION. 



The rebellion headed by Capt. Daniel Shays was one of the most singular 
events in our history. A brief view of its cause, its progress, the efl'orts made 
by the government to prevent or resist it, and its ignoble end, may bo inter- 
esting, and certainly will be instructive to all who rashly tamper with a people's 
interests, and all who recklessly attempt to redress their wrongs. 

The war of the Revolution was over, but its wounds were not healed. 
Thousands had been in the service of their country, yet had never been ade- 
quately paid. Many had lost friends, whose death had not been mitigated by 
any public provision for tlicir widows and children. Many more were wounded, 
or enfeebled by the hardships of the camp and the march. They were poor. 
They saw others who had not been in the service, growing rich by speculations, 
and taking advantage of (he embarrassments of debtors, some of whom were 
cripples. Taxes were high. It was thought that salaries were extravagant. 
It was felt that the administration of justice was almost equivalent to a denial 
of it. The fees of clerks and sheriffs ; the charges of lawyers ; the delays in 
disposing of cases ; in a word, the difficulty of getting a wrong righted, 
witiiout a ruinous waste of time, money and temper, embittered the minds of 
multitudes. 

Such was the state of things, when, in 1784, the year after the acknowledg- 
ment of our independence by George III., and the ratification of peace, a 
proposition was made by the town of Sutton, to the other towns in the county, 
that a convention should be called to consider grievances and the means of re- 
dress. The towns were not ready in sufficient number, and the convention was 
not held. But the trouble increased, and the agitation grew more violent hy 
delay. During the year 1785, discussion was rife all over the State. Extrem- 
ists, on both sides, embittered the public feeling. Some were for resisting all 
the demands of the agitators ; and on the other hand, some were getting ready 
to seek redress by force. The great mass of the people, as the event proved, 
meant to have an improvement by peaceful methods, if possible. 

But the proljlem was a difficult one for the g(jvernmeut. There were griev- 
ances. The State debt was large ; the Continental debt was heavy. Some of 
the former Colonies, now States, had always been slow to pay their proportion, 
and the power of the Continental Congress was growing weaker every day. 
The number of the debtor class was increasing. All these things were difficult 
to deal with ; but the case was aggravated by the lawless spirit which was 
abroad in the community, extending from the sands of Cape Cod and the rocks 
of Essex, to the Valley, and even to the verge of Berkshire. To resist the 



100 COUNTY HISTORY. 



ilemands for redress was cruel and unwise ; to yield to violent demands rainjht 
undermine all government. 

For, it must not be forgotten, that a new clement had entered into the pub- 
lic mind. In the Revolution, the rights of property were respected by the 
people, while throwing off the authority of the crown ; but now the cry was 
heard that property must be divided equally among all. The wild vagaries of 
the Paris Communism of 1870, were rife here, in certain circles, in 1784-6. 
In addition, it may bo truly said that the condition of public morals was low. 
Intemperance had increased during the war, an<l as yet no change for the better 
had appeared. The ancient habit of keeping the Sabbath, and attending wor- 
ship, iiad been partially broken up in the case of those who went to the war; 
and that number included, first and last, nearly all the able-bodied men in the 
State. The ancient spirit of law and order was somewhat weakened, and there 
were lawless men in most of the towns. It is not hard to believe that there 
were also ambitious spirits, inured to the perils of war, who were watching for 
a change that might bring them to the front, and raise them to power. The 
elements were seething. Would there be a new revolution ; or would the 
3'easty mass only foam, and then settle down into a state of stable equilibrium? 

In the summer and fall of 178(5 the matter took such a shape as to hasten the 
crisis. The people began to hold conventions in several counties, as at Con- 
cord, Paxton, Leicester, Bristol, Hatfield. The animus of these delegate con- 
ventions may be inferred from the action taken at Hatfield. On the twenty- 
second of August delegates met there from fifty towns. The following were 
the grievances which they desired to have redressed : — 1. "The sitting of the 
General Court at Boston. (They wished the legislature to meet fiirther west; 
perhaps at Worcester.) 2. The w^ant of a circulating system. 3. The abuses 
in the practice of the law ; the exorbitance of the fee table. 4. The existence 
of the Courts of Common Pleas in their present mode of administration. 5. 
The appropriating the revenue arising from the impost and excise to the pay- 
ment of the interest of the State securities. G. The unreasonable and unnec- 
essary grants made by the General Court to the attorney-general and others. 
7. The servants of the government being too immerous, and having too great 
salaries. 8. The existence of the Senate." The convention, notwithstanding 
their alleged grievances, expressed allegiance to the government, though favor- 
in<r measures that tended to its overthrow. Such expressions were not uncom- 
mon. At a convention held in Paxton, after setting forth their sufferings and 
apprehensions, the delegates declared that they should think themselves " happy 
if they could, in the least degree, contribute to restore harmony to the Com- 
monwealth, and to support the weight of a tottering empire." 

It was a common complaint that the courts were the instruments of extor- 
tion, and censure was vented on the Court of General Sessions of the Peace ; 
and the Court of Common Pleas, especially, which was an inferior or county 
court, came in for animadversion. The people were excited to disaffec- 



COURTS OBSTRUCTED. 101 

tion, so that measures were taken to prcvfut the sessions of the court. In the 
latter part of August the court was prevented from holdinga term in Northampton. 

A week after, when the Court of Common Pleas, and (;f the General Sessions 
of the Peace, were to be held at Worcester, more than three hundred men came 
into the shire town, and posted themselves at the court-house door. They 
stood there with fixed bayonets, and told the judge that ho could not enter. 
The chief justice remonstrated, but was obliged to retire to a tavern, where he 
opened the court regularly, and then adjourned till morning. The opposition 
not abating, the Court of Common Pleas was adjourned without day, and the 
Sessions of the Peace till the twenty-first of November. 

The time came for the Supreme Judicial Court to open a term at Springfield, 
but the mob determined that no session should be held. 

AVhcu the time came to which the Court of General Sessions of the Peace 
was adjourned — November 21 — armed men tilled the main street of Worces- 
ter. The sheriff was prevented from entering the court-house by a company 
of three hundred and titty men, with arms in their hands. 

Two days later a delegate convention was held at Worcester, in which forty- 
one towns of the county were represented. It prepared a petition for a re- 
dress of grievances, and also prayed that the General Court would take the 
sense of all the towns in the Commonwealth in relation to revising the Consti- 
tution. If the returns should show that two-thirds of the towns were in favor 
of the measure, then a constitutional convention was to be called. This prop- 
osition miscarried. This convention, like others, though it used loyal language, 
had the eflect to stimulate opposition to the form of government. 

In the meantime the violent action of the insurgents had been fomenting 
trouble in Middlesex, as well as the western counties. Some of the chief 
agitators lived in and near Concord. They went to the verge of open war- 
fare. But the government acted wisely, maintaining a tirm attitude, yet 
avoiding needless provocation. An act of indemnity passed by the govern- 
ment had put all on a favorable footing up to the twenty-first of November. 
If opposition had ceased at that time, the legislature would, in all probability, 
have taken measures to remove all just cause of complaint. But the tide of 
human passion, when let loose from legitimate bonds, is lawless, and often 
destructive to those who have raised it. The violent stopping of the session 
at the time to which it was adjourned, and the convention held in Worcester 
on the twenty-third of the month, opened the contest anew, and threatened the 
overthrow of government as well as the stoppage of justice. 

The leading agitators at Concord were beginning to yield, and were shaping 
their action towards peaceful measures, when a committee, sent from W^orccs- 
ter, arrived, and by most violent and profane language, excited anew a spirit 
of strong hostility to the administration. The authorities were now in a 
dilemma. They had borne long with the insults, threats and violence of the 
leaders. They had hoped, by patience, to disarm opposition. The Icgisla- 



102 COUNTY HISTORY. 



tiire hiitl taken action that would work relief, if the people would co-operate ; 
but this course was attributed to fear, aud the agitators grew more bold and 
insolent. It was time to put them down. Yet there was a n;itural reluetance 
to resort to the military arm. From all appearance the followers of Shays 
■would be able to raise a formidable army. Many of the officers had had ex- 
perience in the late war, and many of the men were veterans. In some sec- 
tions of the State they appeared to be in the majority. Moreover, if they 
should prove to be weak, still it was a hazardous thing to shed blood. The 
blood shed in civil war is apt to come up in the shape of dragon's teeth. 

However, the violence of the insurgents left no alternative. The govern- 
ment found that it must abdicate or tight. It declared war against the rebels, 
as thoy had now become, by forming themselves into armed bands, and it 
called out a force of four thousand and four hundred men. It will not be in 
place to follow the fortunes of the insurgents or the movements of the regular 
troops, except so far as Worcester County was concerned. But it so happened 
that the forces of Shays were mustered in in one town of this county, and put 
to an ignominious flight in another. 

In the beginning of December the rebels were getting themselves into readi- 
ness for action, by forming several bodies or camps in ditlerent towns. One 
of the largest of these companies was at Rutland, under the immediate com- 
mand of Shays himself. They remained there, in barracks, until Sunday, 
December 3, when they began to march into Worcester. The sherift", William 
Grcenleaf of Lancaster, wrote to the governor, informing him of the state of 
things, and the holding of the courts was postponed till the twenty-third of 
January. 

The Shays men stayed in Worcester three days, from the third to the fifth of 
December. They had their own way, though one hundred and lifty loyal men 
turned out to sustain the courts. A violent snow-storm almost stopped trav- 
eling, but Shays came down from Rutland with about three hundred and fifty 
men. As many as a thousand gathered from different parts of the county, 
armed, and apparently ready to tight. Some of them were billeted on the 
people while they remained. A judge and scmie other citizens were seized, 
though not treated with violence. In the meantime the militia were kept on 
duty, but a collision with the insurgents was avoided. 

But now Gen. Lincoln, an officer who had acquired distinction in the Revolu- 
tion, and who was held in high estimation, was on the war-path, and the rebels 
started for the west. By the ninth of December all had left, and were gather- 
ing at Springfield, with friends from all the western counties. We shall pass 
over their marches and manoeuvorings for the next two months, till the belliger- 
ent parties appear again in this county. Towards the end of January, the 
forces, under Cnpt. Shays, had collected together in Pelham, and on the second 
of February, learning that the loyal troops were coming on, they started to- 
wards night in the direction of Petersham. Early in the evening the weather 



REBELS DISPERSED. 103 



was mild, and there was light enough to render inarching comfortable. But 
as the night wore away the snow began to fall and impede the traveling. 
Drifts l)eg:in to pilfe up, and the mercury settled fast. Finding no shelter ou 
the road, the rebels had marched on through the night, and when the morning 
broke over the high hills of Petersham, they halted, feeling secure from their 
pursuers. But the severity of the storm instead of delaying the government 
soldiers was the cause of their all-night march. They exerted themselves to 
keep from freezing; and so it came to pass that when tlic insurgents were tak- 
ing needed rest and preparing their breakfast, the jiursuers were upon ihem. 
They were caught, two hundred and iifty of them, while the others fled, leav- 
ing kettles and breakfast to the conquerors. In a day or two the rebel fcjrccs 
had vanished like a mist, and were seen no more. In the courts, durin<T the 
year, quite a number were brought up on the charge of treason. Some were 
discharged ; others were sent to the jail in Boston. When the commotion 
was calmed, and the power of the government was fully acknowledged, these 
men were set at liberty, and lived and died as quiet and worthy citizens. By 
degrees their real grievances were redressed, so far as within the power of the 
government; and what were beyond legislation were either endured, or were 
overcome by private exertion. The action of Gov. Bowdoin, who was elected 
because of his fitness to deal with the disease of the times, was firm, but con- 
ciliatory and eminently wise. If there were any demagogues among the lead- 
ing statesmen of that day, he was not one of their number ; but while a friend 
to the people, he would not stoop to flatter them, or pander to their foolish 
clamor. In consequence he was not a popular man, in the ordinary sense of 
the word, but ho was ever held in profound respect. 

AVliy the Shays rebellion did not become a success is a curious question. 
The feeling of dissatisfaction was diffused very generally throughout the 
Commonwealth, except in Boston and some of the seaport towns. Farmers, 
mechanics, and da^'-laborers were in sympathy with it to a largo extent. 
Probably a poll of the State would have shown that a majority of the able- 
bodied men were involved, more or less, in the movement; yet it never 
had the remotest chance of succeeding. The reasons are obvious. The griev- 
ances, though numerous and annoying, did not touch the fundamental princi- 
ples of government. No man's life or liberty was in jeopardy. Our clergy 
have been friends of the common people, and champions of freedom and right 
in every period of our history, but they kept aloof from Shays and his follow- 
ers. They saw that the evils of the times would work a cure by the course of 
events, and that to seek a cure by revolution was preposterous. The lawyers 
were opposed to the rebellion for a similar reason, and because the evils com- 
plained of wei-e laid, in great measure, at their door. Fees, and charges, and 
postponements, and delays of justice, and prosecutions, by all of which the 
profession made gain in proportion as debtors or creditors wore fleeced, had no 
tendency to induce them to labor for a reform. Merchants, contractors, and 



104 COUNTY HISTORY. 



others who h:ul acquired wealth, can always make hard times work for their 
advantage. In the time of forced sales the man of ready cash finds his opjjor- 
tunity, and reaps his harvest. Then the destruction of the poor man is his 
l)ovcrty, and then the human harpy fattens on Iiis pre}'. Who then could 
champion the cause of the su(rcrini» people, and lead them to victory? No 
man of mark, no class of men wielding influence joined their ranks. The 
leader, Shays, was a brave soldier and a respectable man, with the morals and 
principles of a Christian, but his name had no magnetism to conjure with, and 
failure was inevitable. Besides, every cool-headed and sensible man saw that 
all the evils and grievances which caused so much grumbling could !)e easily 
removed by peaceable measures. 

But it is worth considering that the ill-feeling and turmoil which .afilicted the 
State might have been avoided or removed if the more fiivored classes — the 
governing party of that day — had felt a deeper sympathy with the people, 
and shown a i)ropcr alacrity in relieving them from some of their burdens, 
and teaching how to bear others with patience. 

The act of one man in this strange episode of Massachusetts history, de- 
serves commemoration, and will ever be read to his honor. As he belonged 
to this county, and the scene was laid here, it would be unpardonable to pass 
it over in relating our local history. The chief justice of the Court of Com- 
mon Picas was Maj.-Gen. Artemas Ward. At the opening of the Itcvolu- 
tion he stood in the front rank of American officers. His long service in 
the French and Indian wars had inured him to military life, and his training, 
under British generals, had given bini peculiar advantages for one who had 
been confined to a provincial career. It was claimed by his friends that he 
ought to be placed at the head of the Continental army. 

When the rebels came to Worcester to prevent the session of the court over 
which Gen. W^ard presided, he exerted himself like a brave patriot to maintain 
the authority of the law and the dignity of the court, and at the same time to 
guide the excited crowd into wiser and more loyal conduct. On one of the 
occasions, when the armed mob closed the way to the court-house, he went 
deliberately from the tavern through the crowd of desperate men, whose de- 
termination to close the courts was made known by unmistakable signs and 
words. The people knew him well ; some of his old soldiers were among 
them, and they held him in respect ; but he went right on, regaidless of frowns 
and threats. Arriving at th*^ front of the court-house ho demanded entrance. 
A band of armed men stood between him and the door, who levelled their 
bayonets. They obeyed their officers, who were men of fixed resolve. The 
general advanced, the soldiers, to all appearance ready to defend their post at 
all hazards, held their bayonets to his breast. Still he pressed forward till the 
points pierced through his clothing. Appeals to their patriotism, to their 
sense of dutj-, to the memories of the past were unavailing. Having thus 
asserted tho authority of the government, and put the rebels in the wrong, ho 



EDUCATION AND SCHOOLS. 105 



witlidrcw with sclf-posscssiou aiiJ diguity. It must have been a sublime sight, 
wiien that intrepid man, Unattended, mado his way througli the excited and 
maddened throng, and there exposed their errors and the folly of their course; 
and fearless of personal injury commanded them, in the name of the Common- 
wealth, to abandon their wild and wicked enterprise. Though he Aiiled in the 
cilbrt to hold the court, yet he won a substantial victory. The only honors 
won that day were borne off by the judge. He had been in many scenes of 
warfare, Indian and civilized, where bullets and tomahawks were flying thick, 
and always bore himself like a brave man ; but never did he exhibit truer cour- 
n^e and Tieater nobility of soul than when he confronted that mob of mad- 
dened insurgents in front of the old court-house iu Worcester. 



CHAPTER XII. 



EDUCATION AND SCHOOLS. 



The history of schools and education in the towns and cities will be left to 
the local authors, as coming within their province. In this division of the work 
it will be proper to give a comparative view of the state of education in the 
several municipalities, and also to present a brief sketch of those valuable acad- 
emics, schools, and institutes or colleges, which accommodate a circle of towns, 
or receive students from all parts of the Commonwealth, and even from other 
States. These institutions do not belong to the places in which they happen 
to be located, and are not dependent on municipal support, or subject to local 
supervision. It is true also that they are not county schools, with, perhaps, 
one or two exceptions, but as their patronage is drawn from a wider range, and 
their benefits have a wider diffusion than town lines, their history is properly 
included in that of the county. 

A hundred years before the incorporation of the county, and several years 
prior to the settlement of the oldest town now belonging to it, the colonial 
laws required the towns to have free schools for the education of all the children. 
At a very early date, towns of a certain grade, as to population, were author- 
ized and required to keep open grammar schools a certain number of weeks 
every year. In these schools many youth were prepared for college. Long 
before the act was passed by which Worcester County was formed, in 1731, the 
public-school system of the Colony was fully established, and the support of it 
was understood as one of the unavoidable duties of the several towns. To 
make the matter sure, it was enacted that the " General Court of Sessions of the 
Peace," in each county, should have jurisdiction in regard to schools so far as 
to hear complaints from the towns which neglected to provide the meana of 



106 COUNTY HISTORY. 



education for all the children accordinji to the requirements of the law. Thus 
we tind among the complaints laid before the Court of Sessicms, at some of its 
early terms, those in relation to towns which were derelict in this respect. The 
court exerted its authority in every case, and the towns thus negligent were 
required to supply school-houses and furnish teachers for their children, on pain 
of fine and costs. Our forefixthcrs were determined that an ignorant population 
should not grow up on this soil. The ministers taught that the Bihlo was open 
to all, of divine right, and that all ought to bo able to read it in their own 
tongue. Ability to read the Bible enabled one to read other books ; and thus 
the key to all knowledge was put into the hands of all the people. And the 
people of this county have, in every generation, prized their system of educa- 
tion verj' highly, as is shown by the fact that they have freely taxed themselves 
to pay for buildings, apparatus, and salaries. In more recent times the State 
has relieved the court, or its successor, the board of county commissioners, of 
the duty to enforce the law, and has taken it into its own hands ; by enacting 
that the towns which fail to keep open public schools without charge to the 
pupils, at least six months in each year, shall be deprived of their pro rata of 
the income from the school fund. A month is four weeks, of live days for 
each week. And to ensure the education of all the children, it is further pro- 
vided by law that all manufacturing, mechanical, and mercantile establishments 
which employ children under fourteen years of age, who have not attended 
school at least twenty weeks in the year preceding, shall be heavily fined. 
What success has been secured by these enactments will appear on a subse- 
quent page. 

That there has been great improvement in public education since the county 
was incorporated, there can be no doubt in the mind of any -well-informed 
person. Many of the improvements will soon be noted, but there is a disposi- 
tion on the part of some to undervalue the work done by the schools of earlier 
times. The scholars were then taught to obey, in the first place, and thus 
learned to respect authority ; and this went far to make good, law-abiding citi- 
zens. They were also taught to read, and spell, and write. More attention 
was paid to penmanship in the schools of that day than in those of the 
present. The children were not better drilled in reading, perhaps, but more 
time was given to this exercise ; and thus the children and youth because fa- 
miliar with many of the choicest extracts which the language, at that time, 
could furnish. Their reading was food for thought. The ideas they received 
from reading were gcrminant in their own minds, and thus produced a fertile 
and fertilizing growth of new ideas. 

The science of arithmetic was taught with great thoroughness, to a certain 
extent. The modern text-books are more full ; they are better adapted for 
business in our day ; but the teaching does not make our children such com- 
plete masters of their books as was acquired by their predecessors. Indeed, 
text-books were unknown in some schools. The masters gave examples to their 



OLD SCHOOL METHOD. 107 



pupils, ill the dilTcront Rules, from Notatiou to Miscelhinoous Exiuuples, and it 
may be, Puzzles ; and the scholars made their own arithmetic as they went 
alouir. Before the Rebellion, when old chests, closets, and garrets were 
emptied of their "paper stock," there were many manuscript arithmetics, in 
all our towns, which had been made in the schools of former generations. The 
rules were learned by practice before they were put into words. In fact, they 
were so learned that each scholar, of average brightness, could put his own 
rules upon paper. "When thus embedded in the mind by actual practice, the 
teacher might, and generally did, give them a formula in better language, 
perhaps, than the majority would be able to fashion into a sentence or 
paragraph. 

To these branches were added the reading of the Bible, and especially the 
Psalter or Psalms, and the study of the Catechism, which was a logical and 
scientific embodiment of the doctrines of the Bible. And whatever may be the 
diversity of view as to the value of the "Shorter Catechism" as a presentation of 
revealed truth, there can be uo doubt that it is one of the most terse, logical, and 
admirably-arranged works in the English language. The learning of it trained 
the memory ; the cfTort to understand it, gave vigor to the mind, precision to 
habits of thinking, and clearness to expression. As an educating expedient, it 
has been followed by nothing superior in all the excellent compendiums of 
mental or moral science used in modern schools. 

Gco"-raphy and Grammar did not gain a place in the schools generally for a 
hundred years or more after the tirst settlement of the county. As a part of 
the common-school curriculum, they are " modern inventions." The first 
school geographies, though very comprehensive, including many things not 
germane to the subject, were poor affairs. The Geography of Dr. Morse, 
thouo-h a vast improvement on those which preceded it, has been out of use for 
two generations. The Grammar of Murray, which has been long discarded, 
was far in advance of all school grammars at the time of its appearance. There 
are those who believe that, in some respects, it has not been surpassed by its 
successors. In Murray's mind grammar was a science of language. All the 
parts were bound together in a syntax, which was a system of government, so 
to speak, that should have words arranged to convey information or thought, 
like the symmetrical framework of an edifice reared for use or ornament, or 
both combined. His syntax was not a mere string of precedents and sequents, 
but of agents acting on olijccts, and governed by fixed laws. And his system 
of "pursing" was the delight of the keenest girls and boys who attended the 
schools forty, sixty, and eighty years ago. All the "ologies and osophies" 
have come in with the advance of knowledge in all branches during the present 
and the immediately preceding generation. The range of studies has been 
wreatly enlarged, and our children know many things not dreamed of in the 
philosophy of the boys and girls who lived in the days of Washington and 
Adams. 



108 COUNTY HISTORY. 



The progress iu the matter of school-houses is as great as iu regard to roads 
and bridges. Any shelter from the storm would answer, iu early times, so 
long as a better was beyond the means of the pioneers. An old shop, a barn- 
floor, any room into which benches could be put, was called into use for the 
school, and the teacher was installed as master. This was not fancy but fact 
in many towns ; probably in all that were formed preceding the Revolution. Iu 
the centre, or some populous localit}-, there would be a framed building, with 
a chimney, on whoso capacious hearth logs eight feet in length would make a 
roaring Gre in a wintry day. The benches were, withiu the memory of the 
living, the most wretched seats which innocent mortals were ever doomed to 
endure. If the older children had the sharp edge of a plank to lean back upon, 
the younger ones had nothing to keep them up ; while their feet dangled iu the 
air. Rarely was found a school-house that ranked above the tolerable; very 
seldom one that could be called comfortable ; a county would be searched over, 
outside of cities, without finding one that had any pretensions to archi- 
tecture. 

But after all, everjthing depends on the master or mistress of the school. 
Without a good teacher, the best books, apparatus, and houses will accomplish 
nothing at all adequate. Given a good teacher, and children of average intel- 
lect, there will be a good school, though kept iu a barn or a sail-loft, without 
blackboards, maps, and a score of other conveniences. How was it then with 
the old-time schoolmaster? Female teachers were not so plenty in those days 
when nearly all the girls were wanted for wives by the time they were fairly 
out of their "teens." All things considered, the masters were well qualified 
for their places. There were some superior masters. It was honorable for the 
young men and women belonging to the best families to engage in teaching. 
Their influence was felt iu governing, elevating, and refining their youthfid 
charge. But their range of knowledge was narrow, and the terms of school 
were comparatively short. A school for small children in summer, and one of 
three, or sometimes four months iu winter for oldi'r pupils, completed the school 
year. Young men and women attended till they were eighteen, perhajis 
longer, but they did not get beyond what one styled the "three R"s ; that is, 
reading, 'riling, and 'rithmetic," except a few ambitious ones who ventured into 
geography and grammar. Then it must be remembered that with all the vir- 
tues of our earlier time, there was more rusticity, rudeness, and vulgarity. 
There was less profaueness, but more dirtiness. The boys took off their hats 
to travelers, but did it iu au awkward way. They were more noisy, less 
amenable to persuasion, and were accustomed to the needed discipline of the 
rod. It was a pleasant pastime to have a row with the master, and the old way 
of "barring the master out," which would not be tolor.ited now iu any decent 
community, was far less barbarous than the occasional fights, when he was 
carried, "will ye, nill j'e," out of the door, or pitched out of the window. The 
dcscriptiou of the "Schoolmaster" iu John Trumbull's poem entitled the 



SCHOOL DISCIPLINE. 109 



"Progress of Dullness," though probably overdrawn, was doubtless a pretty 
fair representation : 

" Next SCO oiir yonth at school ftppcar, 
Procured tor forty pounds* a year; 
Ilis ragged regiment round assemble, 
Tanglit, not to read, I)ut fear and tremble. 
Before him, rods prepare liis way, 
Those dreaded antidotes to play. 
Then throned altjft in elbow chair. 
With solemn face and awful air. 
He tries with ease and unconcern. 
To teach what ne'er himself could learn; 
Gives law and punishment alone, 
Judge, jury, bailiff, nil in one; 
Holds all good learning must depend 
Upon his rod's extrcmest end, 
Whose great electric virtue's such. 
Each genius brightens at the touch; 
With threats and lilows, incitements pressing, 
Drives on his lads to learn each lesson; 
Thinks flogging cures all moral ills, 
And breaks their heads to break their wills. 
The year is done ; he takes his leave ; 
The children smile; the parents grieve; 
And seek again, their school to keep. 
One just as good and just as cheap." 

There has been much foolishly spoken and written about corporal punish- 
ment in schools during the present generation. We have cheap philosophers 
who insist that none but a brute will ever strike a child. One would infer, if 
he should take these teachers for his guide, that the Author of Nature, who 
has provided that physical pain shall be the result, and in part the punishment, 
of wrong-doing, has made the world on a Satanic system. The effect has been 
bad in one respect, as it has led many of the male and female teachers of our 
schools to resort to all kinds of expedients to manage rather than govern their 
schools. Coaxing, flattery, sarcasm, and methods which are best described by 
the word "humbug," have taken the place of the sterner discipline of former 
days. Between the two extremes, of severe bodily infliction, and this modern 
demoralization of the mind, the former was far preferable. It was more 
summary, took less time, and mtide more manly characters. But it is just as 
true that the former severity was excessive. It would not be, and it ought not 
to be, tolerated in any civilized land. It should be borne in mind, however, 
that custom made severity seem less severe than now. Men used stronger, 
more violent, and more provoking language than would now be endured among 
gentlemen. Poets like Milton, and divines like those engaged in the contro- 
versy about Whitefield, used epithets, and hurled accusations which would 
shock modern taste. There was the same excess in blows as in words. There 
has been an amelioration effected by the general progress of society. Time 
was when boys could not be kept in order in the meeting-house without a 

• $133.33. 



110 COUNTY HISTORY. 



tytbing-man and his long rod, when rogues were subjected to tho discipline uf 
the whipping-post and scolds were ducked in the goose-pond. There has hccn 
a revolution in this way which will not go backward, and the change is all tho 
better for our children. While the teacher must be clothed with all necessary 
authority, and must act, while in school, in loco ^mreiUis, there is little need 
of inflicting bodily pain. This need is diminished to a minimum in cities and 
large towns where unruly children can be placed in truant schools, reform 
schools, or jails, if need lie. E.\[)idsion in the country cuts a child oil" from the 
public means of education, unless he is sent to some place of restraint or re- 
form away from home, at considerable expense ; while expulsion from a city 
school may be merely a transfer from one school to another. 

Turning now from this rapid survey of schools as they were, to the schools 
of the day, we find very great improvement in many respects. In the first 
place, the law requires more schooling. It is now imperative that all. the pub- 
lic schools shall be open six months. A town which fails to comply with 
the law, will suffer for it more than enough to balance what might be saved by 
shortening the schools. Under the stimulus of the law, and tho public senti- 
ment which secured its enactment, many towns have their schools kept eight 
months. Largo towns often prolong their schools nine and even ten months, 
or forty weeks annually. In short, they keep the children in tho school-house 
longer than they ought to be confined, if they had good homes to stay in the 
remainder of the time. 

School-houses, in the most obscure places, are better than they were in rc- 
epectable towns in the earlier time ; and iu nearly all tho towns of tho comity 
there are specimens of school-house architecture wliich appear well in the vicinity 
of the better class of dwellings. Iu addition, there are (juite a innnbcr of build- 
ings devoted to educational uses that are worthy of admiration. In Wcn-ccstor, 
iu Fitchbnrg, in Ashburr.ham, in Clinton, in Winchendon, iu Milford, in Black- 
stone, iu Leicester, in ^liltbur}-, in Northbridge, in Grafton, in Weijster, and 
in Spencer, there are school-houses or academies that illustrate the liberality 
of the people, and their high appreciation of the blessings of education. Many 
other towns, in proportion to their means, are deserving of similar commenda- 
tion. Some of these edifices surpass all others in the place, unless in some 
cases, the sanctuary devoted to the worship of God. Moreover, it has become 
the custom to furnish the school-houses generally with seats and desks, black- 
boards and maps, globes and other apparatus ■which are useful and convenient. 
Text-books cover the teachers' tables, and reference books fill tho shelves or 
alcoves provided for them. The buildings, instead of being heated and cooled, 
in turn, by the huge fire in the open-throated chimney, are warmed by stoves, 
or furnaces or steam, diffusing an equable temperature throughout the building, 
and during all the hours of the day and night. In one sentence, tho change 
has fully kept pace with the progress of society iu all the arts and conveniences 
of life. 



SCHOOL LITERATURE. lU 



III no one thing has there been a greater change, or one more advantageous, 
than in school-books. There is room for criticism in relation to this modern 
product of the press, because the best possible book, in each department of 
study, has not yet been made. The books for beginners are too simple, being 
designed, it would seem, either for infants or feeble-minded children. The 
trillin"- sentences, telling the little reader, in various transi)osition, that " The cat 
has a Tail," or "A tail has the cat," or " Has the cat a tail ? " is a senseless substi- 
tute for the robust sense as well as piety of some of the lines in Webster's old 
spelling-book: as for example : "No man may put off the law of God." And 
the reading-books for the higher classes, though containing a greater variety of 
extracts, taken also from authors less antiquated, and more redolent of modern 
thought, are not better fitted than the "English Reader," and other collections 
which were read in former generations, to inform the mind, refine the taste, and 
improve the heart. But in all the other branches of school-book making, the 
improvement is marvellous. The writing, printing, and illustrating of books 
for scholars is not only a business, but an art. Some of the compilers of 
these books have as clearly a genius for their work as other men have for 
original discovery. They interpret the great scientists to the youthfid mind, 
and are entitled to be called benefactors of their kind. Committees may com- 
plain of the nuisance of book agents, but it is their duty to obtain the best 
books in every department of study. They might as well complain of any other 
process of art or nature which comes to them with the promise of improve- 
ment. In some branches, as the sciences, and the mixed mathematics, changes 
will have to be made in the future, as in the past, as discoveries are made. 
The same is true of geography. The proper attitude of committees, of teach- 
ers and towns towards new books, however expensive to the latter, time-con- 
suming to the first, or perplexing to the second party, is that of welcome, 
because the children must, at all cost, have "the best." 

Almost, as a matter of course, there is an equal improvement in teachers. 
They still come from the best grade of families as of yore, and they have had 
the benefit of a better training than was possible in the days of their graud- 
fiithers. The earnest study of the best minds iu the country is devoted to 
progress in the science of teaching, and training teachers to excel in general, 
and in specialties. And in this connection a remark may be pardoned if not 
approved by all, that the hope of our country is, in a large degree, I)ound up in 
our schools, inasmuch as the mental discipline which they provide tends wholly 
to form a generation of sound-minded people. Our politics are fitful, now rous- 
ing the public to wild and often fearful excitement, and then (piieting down to 
a dead calm. Much of our literature is unwholesome and demoralizing. There 
is a strong tendency to the frivolous in amusement. Some sections of the 
Christian church, which is the " pillar and ground of the truth," and the chief 
fountain of moral and religious influence, have become accustomed to alternate 
seasons of excitement and lethargy, instead of the scriptural progress which 



1 1 2 COUNTY HISTORY. 



is like that of the " shiniug light that shineth more and more unto the perfect 
clay." No mortal mind can fully estimate the benefit which comes to a nation 
through good schools for the young. Free from the ignorance and superstition 
of uncivilized lauds, and exempt from the stimulating and exciting forces of 
civilized society, the schools are places of study, of instruction, of govern- 
ment wlierc the young mind and heart can grow in quiet, and under the guid- 
ance of kindness and affection. What a broad and solid basis is here laid for 
the i-caring of an intelligent, strong, and stable nation ! 

Passing from these general observations showing the progress of education in 
the county during the hundred and fifty years since its incorporation, some facts 
will now be presented in relation to the present condition of the schools. By 
the census of 1875, the population of the county was two hundred and ten thou- 
sand two hundred and uincty-five. The valuation of the county was one hun- 
dred and thirty-four millions six hundred and five thousand dollars, in round 
numbers. The number of schools in 1877-8 was nine hundred and thirty-eight. 
The number of scholars in all the public schools was forty-two thousand eight 
hundred and eighty. The average length of the schools in months and days, 
was eight months and three days. The amount spent in building and repairing 
school-houses, was about twenty-four thousand dollars. The cost of the 
schools, exclusive of the last item, and also exclusive of income from private 
funds, and the State school fund, was four hundred and thirty-one thousand 
six hundred and forty-five dollars and twenty cents. The average wages of 
teachers, including high-school teachers, per month, was, for males sevent\- 
dollars and eighty cents ; for females thirty-three dollars and twenty-five cents. 
Leaving out tiio high-school teachers reduces the difference very much. The 
relative pay is not far from the ratio of twelve to nine or ten. In some towns 
the female teachers were paid better than the males, though these cases are 
few. 

The following table gives certain facts respecting the cost of schooling in 
the county in the year 1877-8, and the relative standing of the towns, during 
that and the preceding year, as to the sum ai)propriated for each child, between 
the age of five and fifteen years of age. Besides what is here given, some 
of the towns have a small income from funds ; some devote the dog-tax to the 
support of the schools ; and some towns contribnte small sums for board and 
fuel. Academies and private schools are not included in the table. The popu- 
lation in 1875 is given, and also the valuation, except cents, in 1877. 



SCHOOL SUPPORT. 



113 











Sum appropriated 


Amounts raised 


i 1 






00 




Population 


by towns for 




tM & 




R 










by taxes for 


c :z 


Valuation In 






Kamks of Towss. 


III 


each chllj bc- 








s, 


& 




1 S - 5 . 


Iwccn 5 and l.'i 
years of age. 


the support of 
schools. 


S .S ^ 
•1- 5 


18T-. 


1 


1 


Lancaster, 


1,957 


»19 74.7 


$5,549 00 


281 


»2,023,300 00 


7 


2 


New Braintrce, 




606 


17 46.5 


1,676 62 


96 


471,670 00 


3 


3 


Barre, . 




2,400 


16 142 


5,100 00 


329 


1,613,010 CO 


2 


4 


Fitchburg, 




12,289 


15 15 3 


31,.'i00 00 


2,065 


10,068,319 00 


10 


5 


Petersliam, . 




1,203 


13 92 3 


2,500 00 


187 


031,705 00 


4 


6 


Worcester, 




49,317 


13 69.3 


124,566 27 


9,097 


45,676,455 00 


7 


7 


Nortlilxirough, 




1,'»8 


13 65 5 


3,250 00 


238 


1,200,763 00 


19 


8 


Uxliridgc, 




3.029 


13 09.8 


6,300 00 


481 


1,754,835 00 


6 


9 


Athol, . 




4,134 


13 03.4 


7,000 00 


559 


2,847,045 00 


8 


10 


Upton, . 




2,125 


13 03 


4,300 00 


330 


876,970 00 


9 


11 


Sontliliorongb, 




1,936 


12 78.8 


4,500 00 


359 


1,295,377 00 


11 


12 


Sterling, . 




1.569 


12 06 


3,200 00 


278 


1,021,343 00 


29 


13 


Warren, . 




3,230 


11 14.2 


5,000 00 


407 


1,975,419 00 


21 


14 


Paxton, . 




fiOO 


11 09.6 


1,309 30 


118 


301,-533 00 


41 


15 


Grafton, . 




4.442 


10 93.3 


8,500 48 


783 


1,878,100 00 


16 


16 


Shrcwsbnry, . 




1,524 


10 87 


3,000 00 


276 


1,1.30.970 00 


18 


17 


Westminster, . 




1,712 


10 86.9 


2,750 00 


2.53 


845,870 00 


25 


18 


Westlioroiigli, 




5,141 


10 79.3 


8,300 00 


709 


2,489,381 00 


22 


19 


Nortbbridge, . 




4,030 


10 60.4 


7,850 00 


758 


1,779.905 00 


23 


20 


Templcton, . 




2,76 1 


10 50.9 


4,700 60 


4.59 


1,008,322 00 


12 


21 


Brookfield, . 




2.650 


10 .59 


4.050 00 


459 


1,244,709 00 


20 


22 


Gardner, 




3.730 


10 ,'•.3 3 


6,500 00 


642 


2,063.533 00 


38 


23 


Princeton, 




1.0G3 


10 40.3 


1.70.) 00 


174 


862,383 00 


17 


24 


Leominster, . 




5,201 


10 37 6 


8,550 00 


824 


3,775,931 00 


27 


25 


Boylston, 




805 


10 35 7 


1,.500 00 


1.54 


525,895 00 


26 


26 


Harvard, 




1,304 


10 12.6 


2,400 00 


237 


919,0.59 00 


15 


27 


Rutland, 




1,030 


9 95 


2,000 00 


201 


488,642 00 


32 


28 


Huljbardston, 




1,410 


9 92 


2,.500 00 


252 


805,549 00 


13 


29 


Leicester, 




2,770 


9 79.5 


5,000 00 


514 


l,778,.5o4 00 


24 


30 


Clinton, . 




6,781 


9 73.5 


14,738 39 


1,514 


4,195,212 00 


37 


31 


North Brookfield, 




3.719 


9 50.6 


7,000 00 


764 


1,889,239 00 


14 


32 


Lnnenburg, . 




1,1.5.'} 


9 49 5 


1,600 00 


252 


761,839 00 


40 


33 


Koyalston, 




1,260 


9 44 


1,800 00 


200 


689,482 00 


46 


34 


Aslibiimbara, 




2.141 


9 06.4 


3,000 00 


344 


984,104 00 


30 


35 


Oxford, . 




2,938 


9 01.6 


4,500 00 


498 


1,374,947 00 


34 


36 


Pliillipston, . 




666 


8 69.3 


1,000 00 


125 


290,037 00 


45 


37 


Milford, . 




9,818 


8 48.2 


18,000 00 


2,193 


4,359,783. 00 


28 


38 


Charlton, 




1,852 


8 35.7 


2.7.32 71 


327 


997,340 00 


31 


39 


Douglas, 




2,202 


8 13.8 


3,300 00 


434 


1,004,853 00 


35 


40 


Webster, 




5,034 


8 10.2 


0,330 00 


808 


1,928,140 00 


49 


41 


Dudley, . 




2,653 


7 99.3 


4,500 00 


563 


896,940 00 


42 


42 


West Brookfield, 




1,003 


7 93.6 


3,000 00 


378 


795,797 00 


47 


43 


Millbury, 




4529 


7 61.7 


7,000 00 


919 


2,209,805 00 


54 


44 


Spencer, . 




5.451 


7 39.5 


8.S00 00 


1,190 


2,764,264 00 


36 


45 


Jlcndon, 




1,176 


7 37.6 


1,500 00 


227 


610,438 00 


48 


46 


Bhvckstonc, . 




4,640 


7 36 


6,900 CIO 


972 


2,059,000 00 


33 


47 


Stnrbridge, . 




2.213 


7 21.2 


3,000 00 


416 


1,085,971 00 


43 


48 


Sonthbridgc, . 




5,710 


7 00,1 


9,780 00 


1,397 


3,010.9.80 00 


39 


49 


Dana, 




760 


6 92.7 


700 00 


109 


281,869 00 


52 


50 


Oakham, 




873 


6 80.6 


900 00 


149 


353,.508 00 


63 


51 


Berlin, . 




987 


6 .57.1 


1,100 00 


183 


485,488 00 


55 


52 


Sutton, . 




3,051 


6 56.9 


4,000 00 


638 


1,146,395 00 


51 


53 


Bolton, . 




987 


6 55.7 


1,200 00 


183 


486,377 00 


57 


54 


Vv'est Boylston, 




2,902 


6 12.2 


3,300 00 


575 


1,064,909 00 


56 


55 


Iloldcn, . 




2,180 


6 11.6 


2,700 00 


482 


978,635 00 


44 


56 


Wjnchendon, . 




3,702 


6 02.9 


4,365 00 


724 


2,005,047 00 


58 


57 


Auburn, . 




1,233 


5 86 


l,.50O 00 


256 


468,049 00 


50 


58 


Htirdwick, . 


1,992 


5 15.2 


2,000 00 


416 


993,930 00 



There are other tables in the report of the board of educatiou which change 
the rehxtive position of the towns. For example, in the tables showing the 
percentage of valuation appropriated to public schools in the towns of AVorcester 
County, the town of Dudley stands at the head, while in the preceding table it 



114 COUNTY HISTORY. 



is mimberetl forty-one. Lancaster goes from the first place down to forty-two. 
Antl so of many others ; proving that some of the towns which raise a lesser 
sum for each chiltl, actually pay a larger percentage of their property for the 
support of schools. There is another table which must be consulted before 
determining what towns secure the most schooling for their children. In fact, 
there are two such tables ; one gives the number of months for which the schools 
in the diflcrent towns arc kept; and by consulting this it maybe found that 
a town which raises less mone^' in proportion to property than another, gives 
its children a greater amount of schooling. The other table exliil)its the ratio 
of attendance to the whole number of children between five and fifteen. In 
this table Princeton leads the column, showing an attendance of more than one 
hundred per cent. That is, if there arc one hundred children in the town 
between five and fifteen, there will be an actual attendance of more than one 
hundred. Children below five or above fifteen will attend in sufEcient numbers 
to overbalance the absence of some between those ages. The first five in this 
list tire small towns; viz., Princeton, Eoyalston, New Braintree, Paxtou, and 
Rutland. The first sixteen keep above ninety per cent. The fifty-eighth town 
gives something over si.\fy per cent. Equating all the tables would probably 
prove that the children throughout the county enjoy nearly equal educational 
privileges. This would become more evident, perhaps, if the private schools 
and academies were included in the view. F«:r example, the city of Worcester 
holds the forty-second place in a list of fifty towns in the matter of average 
attendance; a poor showing. But there are hundreds of Worcester children 
in other schools than those supported by the city, not counting those who come 
from other places to enjoy the advantages wiiich the private schools in that 
city afford. 

In the census report of 1875 there arc tables showing the number of children 
in every town, under fifteen years of age, who are "at work," and do not 
attend school at all. The number in this county is 1,007. Besides, there arc 
over 1,3.J0 who are at school "at least three mouths" during the year; that is, 
about half the time required by law. Though these are distributed through all 
the towns, yet the majority arc gathered into a few places where yoinig help is 
specially wanted. The State is making strenuous efforts to reduce this number 
by enforcing the law requiring all children to attend school at least twenty 
weeks during the year. 

There is also a table of " illiteracy," in which the number of persons of all 
ai^es who can neither read nor write is presented. The whole number of 
"illiterates" in Worcester County is 18,5G7. Of these 2,4G8 are native born, 
and 1G,099 are foreign born. It is probable that quite a large proportion of 
native-born illiterates are the children of foreign-born parents. The immi- 
grants have come from countries where the provisions for the education of the 
poor were scanty, or they were not taught to value them ; but their children, 
born in our mental atmosphere, arc found in school to a great extent, and take 



SCPIOOL INFLUENCE. 115 

respectable rank with the descendants of the first settlers — the Pilgrims and 
Puritans of the seventeenth century. 

This leads to the remark that the common-sciiool system, which is the hirth- 
right of our children, whatever their parentage, or race, or color, is the most 
efiicient agency ever invented by man to make the people of a State homogeneous. 
"When children of every rank in society ai'e brought together in school, and 
classed there according to attainments, and credited according to conduct, they 
learn insensibly to respect and sympathize with each other. Ties are woven 
which do not entirely lose their hold through life. The lowly are uplifted, 
while those higher in the social scale are not depressed or debased. There is a 
law and spirit of the school as high as or higher than that of the average family, 
under which all the pupils come, and it works unceasingly to transform 
character, to correct bad habits, and to cultivate the amenities of life. The 
school system is the solution of the problem how to transmute the baser metals 
into gold, and the product is richer than all the metallic yield of the western 
mountains. 

The etfect is seen, not only in getting and reciting lessons, and in the pronun- 
ciation and the gait or carriage of the scholars, l)ut in the contour of their heads 
and the expression of their faces. In three or four years of school intercourse 
and training they lose their distinctive national marks, and a stranger would 
pronounce them all " native and to the manner born." The change is marvellous 
and gratifying. It is one of the rewards of teachers and those who have the 
superintendence of schools to see the members of a school, made up, it may be, 
from half a dozen nationalities, move along in perfect harmony till all become 
and feel that they are playfellows, comrades, classmates and friends; till they 
recognize not only a common nature, but a common nationality, and feel a 
proper State pride ; till, in a word, they all become " live Yankees," and go out 
into active life to play their part together in maintaining good institutions and 
defending their common country. Distant be the day when our children cannot 
all be educated together in their spring-time, and until they separate for the 
sake, on the part of some, of professional training. Our society is moulded on 
the idea of an educated democracy ; and cursed be they who break the mould. 

Before leaving this part of our subject, a comparative view of the schools in 
1848 and 1877 will be given; at least so far as relates to the number of 
scholars in the county, the amount paid for schooling, and the sums paid for 
the tuition of each scholar. The number of children between five and fifteen, 
in the county, in 1877-8, was 38,831. The number in 1849 was 2G,128. In 
1877-8 the amount raised by taxation for the support of schools was 
$406,328.13. The amount raised for the same purpose in this county in 1848 
was $75,682.46. The average sum paid for the schooling of each scholar in 
the county, of school age, in 1877-8, was $10.55.4. In 1848 the sura paid for 
the game purpose was, on the average for the county, $2.61. The difference i8 
great. As will be seen on comparison, the number of children has increased 



116 COUNTY HISTORY. 



only about one-third, while the amount raisoil has been increased more than 
fivefold, and the sum paid for each child annually is greater liy nearly the 
same proportion. This statement, taken without modification, would give an 
impression that the cause of education has advanced more than the facts 
warrant. In the first place, money will buy less than it would thirty years 
ago, on the average of articles in daily use. Again, the wages of teachers have 
been raised somewhat, though the larger employment of female teachers has 
tended to keep the wages down. But making these allowances, the above 
comparative statement indicates a rapid stride of progress. There has been a 
gradual lengthening of the schtjol year from less than six months to more than 
eight months. This fact, taken willi the improvement in the school-houses, 
apparatus, text-books, and, above all, in teachers, warrants the conclusion that 
the cause of education has made a most gratifying advance during the last 
thirty years. 

It mav interest some readers to note the change from male to female teachers 
in the period under review. In 1848 the number of male teachers employed in 
the summer term, in Worcester County, was 8 ; in the winter term the number 
was 406. The aggregate for the year was 414. In the year 1877-8 the 
number of male teachers during the year was only 167. The number of female 
teachers in 1848, both summer and winter, was 851. In 1877-8 the number 
for the year was 1,101. Formerly the male teachers were iu the majority ia 
the winter, but this ceased to be the fact many years since. Except in 
academics and technical or professional schools, the work of instruction has 
passed into the hands of female teachers. Many look with favor on the change ; 
some regard it as an unmixed I)lessing. There arc those, however, who object, 
not without reason, (hat schools arc not governed as they once were, and that, 
consequently, children are growing up without the sense of authority which 
formerly was impressed upon ever}' pupil in school. This may be, and 
probably is true ; but still it is imdeniable that the order in our schools is as 
good as in past time. A careful observer, who remembers the schools of 
thirty, forty, and fifty years ago, will have no hesitation in saying that there is 
less mischief, roguery and idleness needing correction in present than in former 
schools. May it not be, then, that the children have been learning, by 
degrees, the need and the duty of self-control? And has not the influence of 
intelligent young ladies, who, relying less on authority, and appealing to 
reason and the feelings, have brought this gencraticm into order and studious- 
ness, vindicated their right to the almost exclusive occupancy of the teacher's 
chair, which is to her as her throne? 

Higher Schools and Academies. 
The history of education in Worcester County requires a reference to those 
schools which served a good purpose iu former generations, but which have 
come to an end. The materials for a sketch are imperfect, but something can 



CLERICAL HELP. 117 



be gliancd which may be of interest to the general reader. Perhaps it will lie 
iini)(.)ssii)le to ascertain when or where the first select school or academy was 
opened, since there always turns out to have been a first before the first. 

But it may be safely said that the youth of both sexes, who derived a better 
education than the schools could give, in the first, and far into the second 
century of the Colony, were indebted to the Congregational clergy. The first 
o-eneration of these men had the best education that the English universities 
could impart, and they brought letters as well as religion to these shores. By 
their influence, and by the liberal gifts of one of their number, Harvard College 
was founded. Sixty years later Yale College was begun by a company of 
ministers, who gave valuable books, with the expressed design of laying the 
foundation of an institution of liberal learning. Scattered in their rural 
parishes all over New England, as it then was, the parish ministers not only 
bad the charge of all the schools, ex officiis, but because of their deep interest 
in the welfare of the young. Besides, they were in the habit of hearing those 
young people who wished to enlarge their education at home, or prepare for 
college, recite in the higher English branches and also in the classics. In 
addition, some of them received pupils into their families from abroad, and 
thus, in reality, set up small, but very select schools, of a high grade. The 
extent to which this was done is hardly credible to those who have not looked 
into the facts. It would scarcely be an exaggeration to say that every town 
which had a parish minister had and enjoyed the means of giving all studious 
youth a good education. Girls were guided in their reading by the sugges- 
tions or advice from the parsonage. The minister's wife was accustomed to the 
reading of good authors and the society of intelligent men ; and what was in 
the parsonage permeated, as a perfume, the intellectual atmosphere of the 
whole parish. 

In these ways hundreds of girls were fitted to enter the select schools for 
young ladies which were opened in such towns as Boston, Salem, New Haven 
and Hartford. Young men, in greater number, were prepared for Harvard and 
Yale, and later for Dartmouth. The preparation was thorough, especially in 
Latin and Greek. All this grew out of the fact that " every parish had a 
scholar for its minister." The ministers of Worcester County rendered this 
service to the youth of their charge, and thus laid them under lasting obliga- 
tion ; while keeping society up to its level, against all the barbarizing tenden- 
cies of settlements in the woods. Some of these clerical teachers might he 
specified, but their number was too great, and the benefit they conferred too 
general, to call for special mention. 

In proceeding to a brief history of the academics of the county, the writer 
will be indebted to several gentlemen who have written on the subject ; espe- 
cially to the late Hon. Emory Washburn, the late Rev. Charles Hammond, 
Prof. E. A. Hubbard, and Prof. George A. Walton. One of the earliest of 
these institutions in the county was 



118 COUNTY HISTORY. 



77*6 Leicesfer Acailem'j. — This acaclcmy is located in thp pleasant town of 
Leicester, which is itself a group of rounded hills with intervening valleys that 
furnish delightful scenery. The idea of founding this school is said to have 
originated with Col. Ebenezor Crafts of Sturbridge. Col. Jacob Davis of 
Charlton was readily moved to co-operate, and the opportunity to secure a 
building in Leicester which was suitable for the purpose, determined the loca- 
tion of the academy in that town. Col. Crafts petitioned the General Court fur 
an act of incorporation, in July, 1783, the year in which our independence was 
acknowledged by King George. The subject went over to the winter session, 
when, in February, 1784, the act was promised on the condition that an endow- 
ment of one thousand pound-s, i)esides the real estate, should be secured. The 
sum was raised at once, and the bill granting a charter was passed in March. 
Fifteen trustees were named in the act, and the instrument declared that the 
school was to be "for the purposes of promoting true piety and virtue, .'ind for 
the education of 5'onth in the English, Latin, Greek and French languages, to- 
gether with writing, arithmetic and the art of speaking ; also [)ractical geometry, 
logic, philosophy and geography, and such other liberal arts and sciences as 
opportunity may hereafter permit, and the trustees hcireinafter provided shall 
direct." The Hon. Moses Gill, afterwards lieutenant governor of the Common- 
wealth, was the first president of the board of trustees. An English and a 
classical teacher were appointed, and the academy was opened in June, with 
three scholars, which number was increased to seventy before the year closed. 
Though the institution seems to have enlisted the support of leading men in all 
parts of the county, and the pupils came from many different towns within and 
beyond its bounds, yet it had to struggle with difficulties and embarrassments, 
growing out of the impoverished state of the country at the close of a long war. 
Its buildings served only a temporary purpose, not having been designed for a 
school of the kind ; its apparatus and library were very small, and the income 
from students was not large. 

One of the means often resorted to, a hundred years ago, was the lotterj-, 
before the demoralizing effects of that disguised form of gambling were per- 
ceived in their true light. A lottery' was granted in 1788 by means of which 
one thousand four hundred and nineteen dollars were raised. By another lot- 
tery in 17!ll about two thousand dollars were obtained. And in 17i).3 the legis- 
lature granted a township of land in Maine, from the sale of whit'h the sum of 
nine thousand and two hundred dollars was realized. In time the old buildings 
were repl.-iced by new and more convenient ones, till a " well-arranged brick 
edifice" met the wants of the school. "The board of trustees," says the report 
above referred to, "has numbered some of the most prominent men in the State, 
governors, senators and distinguished divines. Among its teachers are found 
those who afterwards l)ecame presidents and professors in colleges ; and among 
its students are found the names of members of the Cabinet, of the United States 
Senate, of judges of the supreme court and governors of states." It is sup- 



ACADEMIES. 119 



posed that from six to eight thousand pupils have been connected with the 
school, of whom about four hundred fitted for college. There have been twen- 
tj'-four principals of the school, some of whom became professors iu colleges or 
other high institutions of learning, and others have risen to distinction in the 
pulpit and in public life. On the whole this academy has had an houoral)le and 
successful history. What it needs is a large endowment, without which acad- 
emies, iu these days, must give place to high schools. It is reported that this 
academy is closed at present, but it is hoped that it is only a case of suspended 
animation. 

TIte Lcmcanter Academy. — This institution is passed over with slight notice in 
the report of our centennial year, probably l)ecause the writer was not familiar 
with its origin and history. Its origin is indeed obscure, but something wliich 
answered the purpose of an academy was in Lancaster long before the Leicester 
Academy was founded. Dr. Warren, the famous patriot and martyr of Bunker 
Hill, was a teacher here some years before the Ilevolution began. The names 
of other teachers who preceded him, are mentioned in the recently pul)lished 
"History of Lancaster." There was a " stated grammar-school " before the year 
1757. There is ground for the belief that a school in which the languages were 
taught existed in the first quarter of the last century. Though this school was 
not strictly an academy, and was not incorporated, yet it answered the purpose 
of such an institution, because it tauglit a similar range of studies Edward 
Bass, the lirst Episcopal bishop iu Massachusetts, was here in 174C, two years 
after his graduation at Harvard. Among the teachers were Rev. Joseph 
Palmer, a classmate of Mr. Bass; Abel Willard, a lawyer of note and a friend 
of the elder John Adams; the Rev. Moses Ilemenway, a clergyman of great 
ability and high reputation in his day ; Dr. Israel Atherton, the first liberally 
educated physician in the county ; and Joseph Willard, afterwards president of 
Harvard University. Others followed, men and women, who achieved success, 
and about the opening of this century, William Ellery Channing, whose name 
is an eulogy, had charge of the school. 

The same institution, substantially, took the form of an academy, and was 
incorporated in 1815; and again in 1825, when a new start was taken, in 
the hope of wider influence and success. Jared Sparks, George B. Emerson, 
Solomon P. Miles, and others who filled prominent places in different profes- 
sions or callings, weie among the teachers. One of the most noted was long a 
resident of the town, Hon. James G. Carter. This academy lingered till the 
year 1873, when the corporation wjis dissolved. The time had come when 
nothing but a large endowment could save the school, and so it ceased to be ; 
but it had done, under ditTereut names and administrations, a most useful and 
honoraljlc work. 

The Westminster Academy. — This school was started nearl}' fifty 3'ears since. 
Its first act of incorporation was passed iu 18.33. After fourteen years of varied 
experience, another charter was granted, in 1847. It has been closed several 



120 COUNTY fflSTORY. 



years, other academies and high schools having cut off its supply of students 
from other towns. Yet this academy, now almost forgotten except i)y its liv- 
ing alumni, was once flourishing. In the spring and fall terms, especially, 
the town seemed to he thronged with youth of both sexes, who studied together, 
and formed ties and friendships which lasted for life. Hundreds wlio have 
lived better lives from their connection with this school, hold it in fond remem- 
brauce. The people of the village felt an interest in the school, and opened 
their houses hospitably for the accommodation of pupils who came from the 
surrounding towns. It was this spirit iu the community which drew many to 
the academy who would otherwise have gone elsewhere for academical in- 
struction. 

T]ie ]\Iillbur)j Academy. — Like several other similar schools, this academy 
had to succumb to the high-school system, when the town iu which it was 
located came imdcr the scope of the law iu relation to high schools. The prop- 
erty was owned iu shares ; and the building was sold to the town in 1852, 
when the town was obliged to maintain a high school. Like other institutions 
of the kind, now dead and nearly forgotten, it did good service in its day. It 
is a great mistake to suppose these schools were failures because the}' died a 
natural death. As well might we speak of the career of a good man or woman 
as a failure because they have passed away. They must be estimated by 
the amount and quality of the work they performed while they did live. 
Judged by this standard, the old academies will ever be esteemed by the student 
of history as among the poteut forces by which society was informed and ele- 
vated in former generations. The last principal of the Millbury Academy, Mr. 
A. P. Stone, has become one of the foremost educators in the Commonwealth. 

The Milford Academij. — This was a local institution, and its ownership 
was iu shares of fifty dollars each. Having no basis in a solid endowment, and 
its place being supplied by town schools of a high grade, it came to an end 
some 5-ears since. 

The Wtncliendon Acadenvj. — About the year 1843 the late Ephraim Murdock, 
Esq., then au aged citizen of Winchendon, founded the academy by erecting a 
handsome building for the use of the scholars, which was let, free of cost, to 
the successive principals who had it in charge. He also built a large boarding- 
house which was likewise free for the use of the principal and his boarders, or let 
at a nominal rent. The school was patronized chiefly by families of the town, 
but quite a nunil)er of youth came from neighboring towns. At the time of its 
opening, the policy of high schools was becoming a fixed part of our scheme of 
public education, when academics that had not a large endowment were unable 
to compete with schools supported by taxation. Therefore, after several years 
of successful work, the generous founder bequeathed the academy building and 
the handsome square on which it stood, to the town, to bo used for educational 
purposes. After his decease, a high school was established and the academy 
ceased to be. In it many young people had acquired a good English cduca- 



ACADEMIES. 121 



tion. and quite a number were prepared for still higher schools, and also for 
colIe'Tc. Amoiiff the principals who rendered essential assistance in training 
the students in this institution, were Mr. D. C. Chamborlain, Mr. Charles 
L. Brace, the well-known author and phiiauthropist. and William W. Godding, 
M. D., lurmerlv the distinguished superintendent of the State Lunatic Hospital 
at Taunton, and now occupying the same position in the United Slates Hospital 
at Washington. 

Other Extinct ScJtooh. — The West Brookfield Female Seminar}-, which 
expired about the year 1830, lasted but a few years. "It was an early 
attempt," says the educational report, "to establish an academy for women."' 
The Ladies' Collegiate Institute was started in Worcester, some years before 
the Rebellion, but after a short career came to an end, and its property was 
sold. It h.ad a large and show\- building on the summit of L'uion Hill, 
on the east side of the city, which was sold for another educational enter- 
prise in 1869. Towards the close of the war, the buildings, vacant of 
students, were hired by the State and transformed into Dale Hospital, and 
filled with hundreds of wounded, sick and disabled soldiers who found 
there a temporary home. The Worcester Manual Labor School was started 
in the time when the plan, now obsolete, of uniting manual labor with a 
regular academical curriculum was popular. The whole scheme w:;s a failure, 
thouah it seemed to have much to recommend it ,at the time. ''Many of the 
students in this school obtained work and earned money while at school," 
as at ncarlv all New England academies. Beyond this the manual labor de- 
partment was only a name. As we shall see, this institution was afterward 
merged in another. 

In this connection special mention should be made of the school established 
by the late Prof. William Russell in Lancaster, and called the Xew Englaud 
Normal Institute, which was opened ]May 11, 1853. The design was to main- 
tain a school of a very high order for the training of teachers. He surrounded 
himself with an able corps of helpers, some of whom have risen to distinction 
as educators and authors. It is sufBcient to repeat the names of Herman 
Krusi, Sanborn Tcnney, and Dana P. Colburn. Such men as Lowell Mason, 
Calvin Cutler, Prof. S. S. Green, and Rev. Francis T. Russell were among 
those who gave courses of lectures. Accomplished ladies, like Mrs. Caleb T. 
Sj'mmes and Miss Anna V. Russell, gave instruction in various branches. 
During the first term there were eighty scholars, and for the academic j^ear one 
hundred and thirt3-nine. The prospect of permanent success seemed good ; 
but a money basis was needful to enable the school to compete with the normal 
schools supported by the State. In the first place, persons preparing to teach 
could not afford to pay tuition enough to support a corps of superior teachers ; 
and in the next place, the grade of the institute was higher than necessary to 
prepare teachers for our common schools. Thus a noble enterprise met an un- 
timely fate. Who can estimate the good that might have beeu effected if the 



122 COUNTY HISTORY. 



institute had received such an endowment as has come to several schools and 
academies dtn'ing the last tiftecn years? The action of the State in opening 
normal schools for the education of teachers, and in requiring towns of a cer- 
tain grade to maintain high schools, has destroyed all the old academies of the 
third rank, and some of the second. The time is hastening when the remain- 
der must be endowed and raised to the first rank, like those at Andovrr, 
Exeter, and Easthampton, or see their rooms emptied of students. But 
academics of the first rank we must have, and here we have a place where 
benevolent men and women may bestow their surplus money with the best 
effect. 

The Nkhoh Academy. — One of the oldest living academies in the county is 
located in the town of Dudley, and l)cars (ho name of Nichols. It was incorporated 
in the year 1819. It derives support from term bills, and from an appropriation 
of one thousand dollars by the town of Dudley. "When it was incorporated 
the General Court gave it, in trust for educational purposes, a half township 
of land in the then province of IMaine. The endowment, thougli not large, 
enables the institution to prolong its life. There is a Hancock fund, which fur- 
nishes aid to meritorious students. A li!)rar3' of several hundred volumes is 
for the use of the students. The buildings are an academy and a boarding- 
house, the latter being almost a necessity in a small village. The grounds arc 
ample and beautifully laid out, making the place a pleasant resort. 

As in some other schools, there are two courses of study, each extending 
through three years. One course is English, and the other is classical ; yet 
students are at liberty to select an -optional course out of the branches pursued 
in the academy. Says the often quoted report : "Graduates from tiic academy 
arc takinij enviable positions in the first colleges in tho country, and it is in- 
tended to make the classical department in the future the distinctive one of the 
academv." So long as there is a large number of towns in the State to,) small 
to support a high school, academies will be a necessity ; and one ought to bo 
placed in or near the centre of a cluster of such towns. But they must not bo 
too numerous, and they cannot depend on tuition for support. Endowments 
must be secured, and there is no better way to make a good use of wealth than 
to endow a good academy. 

The Worcester Acadenvj. — This institution grew out of that originally 
chartered as the Worcester Manual Labor Iligii School. Tiio manual experi- 
ment, as a specialty, did not include facilities for labor in the buildings, 
and was not, according to notions tlien prevalent, a manual labor school. By 
an act of the General Court tho name was changed in 1848 to The Trustees 
of Worcester Academy. The grounds owned by the academy originally were 
in the south part of Worcester, and contained sixty acres. The sciiool has 
occupied dilfercnt sites, being at one time iu tho old library building of tho 
American Antiquarian Society, at the corner of Summer and Belmont streets. 
In 1809 the trustees purchased the property of the Ladies' Collegiate Institute, 



ACADEmES. 123 



uliit'h had coasod to exist. The now property consisted of four acres of land, 
on the top of Union Hill, with "extensive huildings for academic and dormi- 
tory purposes." Forty thousand dollars was paid for the land and huildings. 
The academy is free from dcl)t, and owns a property in real estate valued as 
high as one hundred thousand dollars. It is attended by pupils of both sexes. 
In 1848 the Slate granted half a township of land, situtited in the State of 
INIaine, and many gifts have been received from the friends of the institu- 
tion. 

The building is of brick, and consists of a central edifice and two wings. 
The centre is a projection, the wings being a few feet back from the front line, 
thus adding to (he good appearance of the whole structure. Without its numerous 
towers, the academy buildings, as a whole, would still produce a grand and pleas- 
ing effect on the beholder. The interior is well arranged to be convenient and 
attractive. "All the public rooms, including chapel, recitation-rooms, parlor, 
library, reading-room, and diniug-hall, are in the main building. Access to 
these is by means of passages and halls which traverse the entire length of the 
building on three floors, thus obviating the necessity of exposure to the weather 
for any purpose." 

The academy is supplied with library, apparatus, maps, and other facilities for 
study and general culture, including a reading-room, in which are placed current 
issues of the press. A literary society, composed of students, has weekly 
exercises iu discussicms, declamations, debates, and readings. This society has 
a room and a library devoted to its own uses, consisting of several hundred 
volumes. There are several scholarships which afford aid to worthy stu- 
dents. 

Three courses of study meet the wants of different classes of pupils. These 
are the academic, the scientific and the classical courses. The academic course 
is a modification of the other two. The classical course includes Latin, Greek, 
French and German, with certain English studies. The academy has had a 
succession of able teachers : — Silas Bailey, under whom it opened with thirty 
scholars, and increased to one hundred and thirty-five in 1856, of whom only 
eighteen belonged to Worcester ; Prof. Samuel S. Greene, since a professor iu 
Brown University, Nelson Wheeler, C. C. Burnet, Hon. Eli Thayer, A. P. 
Marble, the present superintendent of schools in Worcester, Rev. David 
Weston, D. D., and others. The present principal is Nathan Leavenworth. 
Some of these have had peculiarly successful administrations. 

The Hon. Isaac Davis deserves honorable mention for his generous labors 
and liberal gifts in support of this academy. During forty years preceding 
1874 he was president of the board of trustees, and nearly all that time was 
a member of the executive committee and treasurer of the corporation. It 
is said that "through his management there never was a day in the history of 
the school when its property was loss than the day before." The founders, 
directors, and teachers of this school belong to the Baptist denomination, but 



124 COUNTY HISTORY. 



"uo denominational tests are iinposeil, and denominational instruction forms no 
part of the curriculum." The influence of this institution in promoting iilieral 
culture has been great, and there is a fair prospect that it will be more widely 
dilTused in the future. Possibly it may grow into a college as population in- 
creases, as the large denomination which it represents has uo college in the 
Commonwealth, though Brown University is near at hand. 

The Oread Instiiute. — This school was originated by the Hon. Eli Thayer, 
in 1848, for the purpose of affording young ladies every reepiisitc facility for 
obtaining a generous "mental culture, in uo way inferior to that secured to the 
other sex by our colleges and universities." The buikling, which attracts at- 
tention by its singular architecture, is one hundred and forty feet in length by 
forty in depth, and is flanked at each end by round towers, fifty feet iu 
diameter. The material is stone, taken iu small pieces from a quarry on the 
grounds. Standing on a steep hillside, with winding walks, and frequent 
shade, the effect is striking. 

The course of study includes a preparatory and an academical department, 
the latter occupying four years. In mathematics the students are taken tin-ough 
a thorough course, including the Calculus. Natural science is illustrated by 
nature and art. Latiu and Greek are studied with care ; the former, with 
" reference to securing a mastery of our own language," and the latter for its 
"entertainment, and for the relation of its terms to the technicalities of sci- 
ence." Art and poetry are carefully attended to, and outside of study hours 
ornamentals have a due share of attention. Music has a high place in the cur- 
riculum. Drawing, painting, elocution, and the art of composition have their 
proper place. Regular gymnastic e.vercises are engaged in by every pupil as 
a means of health as well as of graceful carriage. The study of German, 
Italian, and Spanish is optional. Tlio French language is part of the course, 
and in the "advanced classes recitations are conducted in French. The library 
contains about four thousand volumes. The social, moral and rcliijfious cul- 
ture of the students is a matter of the utmost care. Bible studies by the prin- 
cipal, together with family devotions, Bible-class, and Sabbath services, while 
entirely free from all sectarian bias, are directed to the moral and religious 
development of the mind and heart of the students." Such arc the advantages 
of this school, which has existed now about thirty years, and has acquired au 
honorable standing. 

After Mr. Thayer left the position of principal, it was, during several years, 
under the joint care of Rev. J. Shcpardson and Miss Sophia B. Packard. 
During the last twelve years the government has been wholly with Rev. Harris 
R. Greene, A.M., who is assisted by a competeut corps of teachers. The 
modern languages are taught by natives. Though the exterior of the l)uild- 
ing, resembling a feudal castle of the Middle Ages, does not appear very appro- 
priate to the purposes of a young ladies' school, yet the interior, in all its 
rooms, halls, passages, aud appointments, is arranged with special care for 



ACiVDEMIES. 125 



convenience, and accoriling to motlcrn ideas of a cheerful, airy and honieliiie 
residence. 

Tlighland MUtfarij Acadcmij. — This institution stands by itself, in some 
respects, among our schools and academies. It has a wide and thorough 
course (if study, hut at the same time aims to develoi) the physical powers, 
and includes gymnastic and military exercises. The founder, Mr. C. B. Met- 
calf, is a graduate of Yale College, and was for several years a successfid 
teacher in the public schools of "Worcester. In 185G he established the mili- 
tary academy, and has been the head and superintendent of it to the present 
time. The principal now, and for several years past, is Joseph A. Shaw, 
A. M., instructor in ancient and modern languages, and higher English 
branches. Among the teachers have been the following, some of whom are 
now connected with the school : Prof. James Bushee, Edward B. Glasgow, 
George L. Clark, Emerson G. Clark, Edward R. Hopkins, and Isaac N. Met- 
calf. The academy is a day school for boys. The course of study is twofold, 
English and classical, and fills out four years, besides a preparatory depart- 
ment for young bo3-s unprepared for the regular course. The grounds are out 
of the thickly settled part of the city, yet near enough for convenience of 
stores, post-oiBce and church. They are beautiful and command an attractive 
prospect. The buildings are well adapted to their uses, and elegant in appear- 
ance. They are near each other, and comprehend general assembly rooms, 
class-rooms, library, armory, philosophical and chemical experiment rooms, 
hospital, cadet quarters and offices. 

The studies are the same as in other high and scientific schools. The com- 
mon English branches are treated as of the first importance. Surveying, civil 
engineering and natural science, and the classics preparatory to college, are 
taught by well-educated gentlemen, who had gained a reputation as principals 
of first-class schools, before their connection with this institution. 

Special care is taken in regard to the health, manners, morals, and general 
deportment of all the pupils. One who had observed the influence of the 
school as a patron, speaks in high terms of the "military punctuality, order 
and precision everywhere manifest," and of the "manly bearing, erect car- 
riage, and gentlemanly deportment developed." He says farther, that "as a 
corrective of the loose and straggling habits of universal boyhood, indeed, it 
seems almost impossible to overestimate the value of the military features 
of this academy." 

Collerje of the Holy Cross. — The College of the Holy Cross, situated on one 
of the fine hill-sides, of which so many add to the natural scenery of Worcester, 
was founded by the Rt. Rev. Joseph Fenwick, Roman Catholic Bishop of Bos- 
ton, in the year 1843. It was given by him to the Fathers of the Society of 
Jesus. In 1865 it was incorporated by the State, and was "authorized to con- 
fer such degrees as are conferred by any college in this Commonwealth, ex- 
cept medical degrees." It is designed and fitted to prepare youth for " the 



12fi COUNTY HISTORY. 



professional or commercial style of life." Tlic course of instruction extends 
over seven years, three of which arc preparatory. The three first belong to 
the junior division, and the four last to the senior. The conditions 
of admission and residence, besides scholarship, are good moral character 
and compliance with the rules. The students are expected to pursue the 
regular course, as more advantageous than a large mixture of optional studies. 
The French language is a part of the course. Other modern languages are 
optional, hut for them a separate charge is made. The college curriculum is 
very full and liberal, as any one will sec by inspection of the catalogue. The 
text-books in all departments arc generally similar to those used in our best 
schools and colleges. The Catechism is studied as a part of the course. At- 
tention is given to rhetoric and the study of poetry. 

There are several courses of lectures in addition to the studies of the 
course. 1. Rational philosophy, with Latin text-books. 2. Natural phi- 
losophy, physiology, and mechanics. 3. Chemistry. The institution has 
suitable apparatus, and collections in mineralogy, conchology, and numis- 
matics. It is evident from the course of study that the students have the 
means of becoming well-educated men. The faculty consists of sixteen in- 
structors and professors, with Rev. Edward D. Boone, S. J., as president, 
treasurer, and prefect of studies. The mimber of students at present is about 
one hundred and fifty. 

Worcester Free Inntilute. — The full and legal name of this institution is 
"The Worcester County Free Institute of Industrial Science." It was 
chartered Jlay 10, 18G5, and the buildings were erected so that students were 
received at the opening of the first term, Nov. 10, 18G8. The corpora- 
tion is autliorized to hold property to the amount of one million dollars. The 
founder of the school was Mr. John Boynton, of Templeton, who made an 
endowment of one hundred and twenty-seven thousand dollars. The late lion. 
Ichabod Washburn of Worcester, who had long had in his mind the estal)lish- 
mcnt of a somewhat similar school, gave money for the erection and equip- 
ment of the machine-shop, and otherwise enlarged the resources of the institute to 
a total amount of one hundred and thirty thousand dollars. The lion. Stephen 
Salisbury, president of the board of trustees, has made additional endowments 
in money and land, amounting to two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and 
the State has made a donation of fifty thousand dollars. The annual availal)lo 
income is reported as twenty-five thousand dollars. The income from 
students is intentionally small, as appears from the following statement : "By 
the terms of the gift of Mr. Boynton, the school is free to all citizens of the 
county of Worcester ; and by the conditions of the State grant, and the gift of 
the lion. George F. Hoar, twenty-three students, residents of the State of 
Massachusetts, but not of the county of Worcester, may receive free tuition. 
Residents of any other place may be admitted upon p.aymcnt of a tuition fee 
of one hundred dollars per aunum. 



ACADEMIES. 127 



Tho gfomicls of the institute covor nearly seven acres, in an elevated and 
attractive locality. Two main buildings have been erected, — Boynton Hall 
and the Washburn Machine-shop. Boynton Hall, named in honor of tho 
founder of the institute, is a three-story granite building, one hundred and 
forty-six feet long by sixty-one feet wide, built by citizens of Worcester at an 
expense of about sixty-seven thousand dollars, and devoted to recitations, lect- 
ures, and the general exercises of the institution. The Washburn Machine- 
shop is a three-story brick building, one hundred feet long by forty feet wide, 
with a win"- sixty-live by forty feet, for engine, boilers, and blacksmith shop. 
The first floor is fully equipped for the manufacture of machinists' tools; the 
second floor for wood-work, and the third for general purposes. 

The institute sprang out of a conviction that boys needed a system of train- 
ing for tho duties of active life, which is " broader and brighter than the 
popular method of learning a trade, and more simple and direct than the so- 
called liberal education." Tho managers of the school believe that the "con- 
nection of academic culture and the practical application of science is advan- 
tageous to both, in a school where these objects are started together, and car- 
ried on with harmony and equal prominence." Instruction is given to all stu- 
dents in the most thorough manner, by recitations and lectures, in the English, 
French, and German languages, in mathematics, theoretical and applied me- 
chanics, the physical sciences, and drawing. In addition to this, "for ten 
hours a week for ten mouths, and eight hours a day for the month of July, 
practice is required of the students according to the respective departments of 
their choice; viz., the mechanics in the Washburn INIachine-shop, the civil en- 
gineers in the field and in the drawing-room, the chemists in the laboratory, 
the designers in the drawing-room." 

The institute is supplied beyond most other schools with tho "chemical and 
physical apparatus essential to successful instruction in tho physical sciences." 
Text-books and books of reference are found in tho buildings, and the students 
have access to the free liI)rarios of tho city. The degree of bachelor of science 
is conferred on all full graduates, in course, and the promise is given to all 
graduates, of recognition of professional success by an honorary degree. 
There are twelve instructors in connection with the institution ; viz., eight pro- 
fessors, one tutor, two assistants, one lecturer. The principal from the be- 
ginning has been Prof. C. O. Thompson, A. M. 

The reasons why the institute was estal>lished in Worcester, when the founder 
lived in Templeton, and was identified with the interests of the northern part 
of tho county, are creditable to Mr. Boynton's wisdom and pul)lic spirit. It 
was evident, on reflection, that such an institution must be placed in a large 
town where all kinds of industry were flourishing. In addition, the special 
friend of the founder was Mr. David Whitcomb, now a resident of Worcester, 
but formerly a partner of Mr. Boynton. The special friend and the adviser 
of Mr. Whitcomb, in this matter, was tho late Rev. Dr. Seth Sweetser, during 



128 COUNTY HISTORY. 



forty years pastor of the Central Churt'li, in Worcester, than whom there was 
not a more sagacious and large-minded friend of education in the country. 
Though almost a recluse in his habits, his mind embraced all kind>< of knowl- 
edge, and all pursuits of men, and his hcait reached out in its sympathies for 
the welfare of all sorts of men. 

The Worcester County Free Institute of Industrial Science being em- 
phatically a county institution, is entitled to large space in the history of 
the county, but for want of room, its history, design, and condition must be 
limited to a few pages. Its success thus far is prophetic of an honorable 
and useful career in the future. 

The N'ormal School. — The State Normal School at Worcester, was intended 
to furnish facilities to students of both sexes, in this portion of the State, who 
purpose to make teaching a business for a time at least, if not permanently. It 
is essentially a county institution, though supported in great part, by the Com- 
monwealth. The General Court, in 1871, authorized and required the State 
board of education to establish a normal school in the city of Worcester ; 
and at the same time, the trustees of the Worcester Lunatic Hospital 
were authorized and required to convey to the board of education and its 
successors, a tract of land of not more than five acres, to be located by the 
governor and council. The sum of sixty thousand dollars was granted on con- 
dition that the city of Worcester should pay to tlie board fifteen thousand 
dollars for the purposes named in the resolve. The city promptly complied 
with this condition, and made an addition of more than one thousand dollars. 
The legislature granted ten thousand dollars more, Avith which to purchase 
furniture and fixtures. The city could well afford to give fifteen thousand 
dollars, as the school has relieved it from the expense of maintaining a training 
school for teachers, and by the locality it has the choice of the best graduates 
who are selected to take charge of schools in the city. 

The governor and council selected the site on the second of September, 
1871, and on the nineteenth the conveyance was made by the trustees of the 
hospital to the educational board. The building is located upon Hospital Hill, 
and in Hospital Grove, as it was formerly styled, and overlooks the whole 
city. Nearness to the Union Depot renders it convenient to the students who 
come and go daily in the trains from different sections of the county. The 
edifice is built of stone, is large and elegant in design, and convenient in every 
part. It is one hundred and twenty-eight feet long, and eighty-eight feet 
wide, three stories in height, with a French roof. It was dedicated Sept. 
II, 1872, the late Hon. Henry Chapin, chairman of the board of visitors, 
presiding, when the late Hon. Emory Washburn made an address suitable 
to the occasion ; and on the fifteenth of the same month the school was opened 
for the reception of pupils. 

The design of this school is stated to be "the thorough preparation of 
teachers for our public schools." None are admitted who do not intend to 



ACADEMIES. 129 



teach, and none are continued who do not give promise of success. Male 
students must be seventeen, and female students sixteen }'cai-s of ago at 
the time of admission. They must come with good character and good 
health, with the purpose of observing all the rules of the school, and with 
the declared intention of finishing the course. Tuition is free to those who 
are to teach in the public schools of Massachusetts. Those who prefer to 
teach in private schools, and those who come from other States arc charged 
fifteen dollars a term of twenty weeks. The charge upon all the pupils is two 
dollars a year for incidentals. The course runs through two years of forty 
weeks ; five days, of five hours at least, to each week. Applicants for admission 
are examined in reading, spelling, writing, geography, arithmetic, grammar and 
history of (he United States. Provision has been made for a four years' course 
for those who can find time to take it. 

The studies of the course, in addition to what is prescribed in the conditions 
of admission, are composition and rhetoric, logic, drawing, algebra, geometry, 
navigation, surveying, book-keeping, ancient as well as modern geography, 
with chronology, statistics and general history, physiology, mental philosophy, 
music, the constitution and history of Massachusetts and of the United States, 
natural philosophy, astronomy and natural history. The principles of piety 
and morality common to all sects of Christians will be inculcated, and a por- 
tion of the Scriptures will be daily read in the school. As a specialty, the 
science and art of teaching, with reference to all the foregoing subjects is 
taught and exemplified. The above course is suliject to variation, at the dis- 
cretion of the principal, with the consent of the visitors. Latin and French 
are optional. Gymnastic exercises are engaged in by all for amusement, health 
and improvement. State aid is furnished for the benefit of scholars in this as 
in the other normal schools, to the amount of one thousand dollars yearly. 
From the report on normal schools we learn that "Illustrative apparatus for 
the teaching of drawing, of physiology and of physical science, has been sup- 
plied, and additions to this are continually made. A chemical laboratory, ac- 
commodating eighteen working pupils, and supplied with the needful fixtures 
and appliances, has been fitted up, and necessary supplies have been furnished 
at the cost of about five hundred dollars." An arrangement has been made by 
which members of the senior class may be assigned as assisttuits or a[)prentices 
to superior teachers in the public schools of Worcester, and thus have practice 
in the government and instruction of school children. This brief account mav 
be fitly closed with the following extract from the report made by the principal 
in the centennial year : — 

" Constant attention is paid to the hcaltli of the students, a mnjority of whom report 
themselves as improved in this respect soon after entering the school. Recognizing 
the physical integrity and well-being of the pupils as an indispensable pre-requisite to 
their success, either as scholars or teachers, we postpone the care of their health to no 
other duty whatever. This often involves a sacrifice of present progress in study ; but. 



130 COUNTY HISTORY. 



unless we discredit the most emphatic teachings of tliosc best qualified to judge, it is 
the part of wisd')m. Our aim is first, to instruct the students in the care of their 
health ; and, secondh', to make it easy for them to put such instruction into practice. 
Ver}' full health statistics are recorded, and a pretty strict and searching sanitary 
regime maintained, in addition to much instruction in ph^-siology and hygiene through- 
out the course. A room has been neatly and appropriately arranged, in which the 
pupils who remain during recess take their meals at tables, witli settees appropriately 
arranged, and where the graces of social life are seen and cultivated." 

Prof. E. Harlow Russell has been the principal of the school from the begiii- 
ing. Mr. Charles F.' AJams, Miss Rebecca Jones and Miss Fhjrence Foster 
have been assistants the satiio length of time. Other teachers have ])eeu em- 
ployed, making a full corps according to the wanJs of the sciiool. 

Cunhing Academy. — This academy, situated in Ashhurnham, is one of the 
most recently established of our superior institutions. The history of its in- 
ception and establishment, illustrates the way in which a train, or a combina- 
tion of influences long at work, finally culminate in a grand rcsidt. The first 
minister of Ashhurnham, the pastor of the Congregational church, was the Rev. 
Jonathan Winchester. The second minister was the Rev. Dr. John Gushing, 
•whose pastorate extended over nearly half a centur}'. By the liberality of de- 
scendants of these men, the institution is now named "Cushing Academ}-," 
and the ample grounds on which it stands, are called "Winchester Square." 

The founder of the academy was the late Thomas Parkman Cushiug, a Boston 
merchant. He was the son of Dr. Cushing, and a descendant, on b )th sides, 
of clerical ancestors. Living in Boston he became intimate with the Rev. Dr. 
Wayland, at one time a Baptist clergyman there, and afterwards celebrated as 
the president of Brown University. Moreover, his wife, Mrs. Cushing, was 
an enlightened friend of education iu its highest sense. Mr. Cushing, after 
providing for his family, left a legacy for founding an academy in his native 
place, to be attended by pupils of both sexes over ten years of age. The trus- 
tees, selected by himself, named by himself in his will, were Rev. Francis 
Wayland, D. D., LL. D., the Hon. Charles G. Loring, and the Hon. Heman 
Lincoln. The fund was to accumulate, according to the conditions of the 
will, and at a proper time, the trustees were to apply to the legislature for an 
act of incorporation, which should include the names of a permanent hoard of 
trustees. The act was passed May 1(5, in the year 18G.5 ; and the board con- 
sisted of thirteen gentlemen, five of whom were citizens of Ashl)urnham. Dr. 
Wayland was the first president of this board. 

The character of Mr. Cushiug, and his design in founding the academy, 
are expressed iu a sentence of his will, which is copied in the preamble of the 
act of incorporation, as follows: "The stability of our laws and the safety of 
our government, the right direction of our republican institutions, the preser- 
vation of virtue and good morals, in short, the well-being and happiness of 
society depend, in a great degree, upon the diffusion of practical and useful 



ACADEMIES. 131 



knowledge nmoiig the people." Mr Cushiug goes on to s:iy that ho was "par- 
ticularly desirous of using a portion of the estate with which God had blessed 
him, for the promotion of so im[)ortant an object as that of improving the edu- 
cation, and thus of strengthening and enlarging the minds of the rising and 
of future generations." 

The trustees mider the act soon had a meeting, and organized by the choice 
of oflicers ; Dr. Waylaud being the iirst president, Rev. J. D. Crosby, secretary, 
and Hon. Ebenezer Torrey, treasurer. The funds of tlie academy were well 
invested, being somewhat over eighty thousand dollars. None of this sum was, 
by the conditions of the will, to be devoted to building purposes. The trus- 
tees voted to make their capital one hundred thousand dollars, and not to 
build until a building fund should be accumulated sufficient to erect an edilice 
suitable for the academy. The fund increased so fast that in 1873 a building 
committee was chosen, and directed to proceed in the work. The foundation 
was laid that year, and in the following the building was erected. In the 
spring and summer of 1875, furniture was obtained, and everything set in 
order for the opening of the academy. The cost of building and furniture was 
about ninety thousand dollars. Subsequent additions have carried the expense 
two or three thousand dollars higher. The chairman of the committee was 
ISIr. George C. Winchester, and the superintendent of the work was the late 
Hon. Ohio Whitney. The academy is one of the most cost!}' as well as one of 
the best educuticnial buildings in the county. It is over one hundred feet 
long, with ample breadth, has a high basement, two lofty stories, and a 
high French roof, which gives a grand hall, extending the whole length and 
breadth of the building. There are towers at each corner, and a loftier tower 
in the centre-front, in which a large and llnely-souuding bell is placed. The 
material is brick, with granite basement and trimmings, all put together in the 
most thorough and workman-like manner. The academy occupies a splendid 
site, overlooking the village, the valley below, and looking out upon the broad- 
backed hills which make up much of the scenery in the vicinity. 

Appropriations were soon made for the purchase of philosophical and chemical 
apparatus, a reference library and musical instruments. The course of study 
is arranged on a liberal scale. The classical department requires four years of 
study, except to those who enter at an advanced standing. The English course 
occupies three years. The instruction is thorough, and the government of the 
school is mild, but firm. The principal, from the beginning, has been Prof. Edwin 
Pierce, A. M., the vice-principal is Prof. James E. Vose, and the preceptress 
is Miss Mary P. Jcfts, a graduate of Mount Holyoke Seminary. The two 
gentlemen have had long and varied experience in teaching and conducting 
schools. Other teachers have been employed in the various branches, includ- 
ing chemistry, to which special attention is given, and for which superior 
facilities are secured. The school was opened Sept. 8, 1875, the building 
having been dedicated with appropriate services on the preceding day, when 



132 COUNTY HISTORY. 



the Hon. Alexander H. Bullock, then president of Ihe board, delivered an elo- 
quent discourse, and was followed hy others. The present president is Abra- 
ham Lowe, INI. D., of Boston, Mr. Bullock having resigned his place on the 
board. Since the opening the school has had nearly four years of prosperity, 
and has sent several graduates to college, besides giving a good academical 
education to many others. More full particulars of this academy will be found 
in the historical sketch of Ashburnham, contained in this work. 

Bromjiehl School. — The latest of the secondary schools in the count}' is 
the Brouifield School, in Harvard, founded by the will of Mrs. Margaret Brom- 
field Blanchard, in 1877. A substantial biick building, the interior of which 
consists of a session hall, lecture room, library, chemistry room, two recitation 
rooms, and two cloak rooms, was erected on the site of the old mansion of the 
Bromficld estate. Here is another illustration of inherited influence. The 
Rev. Eliphalct Pearson, LL. D., was the first preceptor of Phillips Academy 
at Andover. Then he was chosen professor of Hel)rew and other oriental lan- 
guages in Harvard College. At the death of President Willard, lie became 
acting president of the college ad interim. After that he became one of the 
most active founders of the theological seminary at Andover, and was inducted 
into the office of professor of sacred literature in that institution. This was in 
1808. He was prominent in all matters of high interest to the church till 1820, 
■when he removed to Harvard, being then sixty-eight years of age. The last si.\ 
years of his life were spent in the business of agriculture. He died in 1826. 
His second wife was Sarah, daughter of Henry Bromfield of Harvard, by whom 
ho had four children. One of these was Margaret, who became the wife of Rev. 
I. H. T. Blanchtird. He was a graduate of Harvard College, and in 1823 was 
ordained pastor of the church in Harvard. The school was founded by his 
wife (then a widow, in 1877), as has been already stated. It is a 
tradition that Dr. Pearson had a desire that an academical school should be 
established iu Harvard, the homo of liis wife, and his own residence in his later 
years. If this is true, the piety of a daughter has realized his patriarchal 
wishes. 

The original design of the founder, Mrs. Blanchard, was to make the insti- 
tution one where young women might ol)tain "education iu the higher branches 
ot learning ; " l)ut yoimg men miglit be admitted also, under certain restrictions, 
as the trustees should judge expedient. These latter state that the "endow- 
ment fund was large enough to make the institution independent of tuition 
receipts," and thcrclbre not subject to the "peculiar prejudices of patrons or 
pupils," while its "organization renders it secure from the menaces of local and 
temporary' disturbances." They state further, that its "control by a body of 
trustees severally standing high in professional life, ensures its devotion solely 
to the welfare of the students, its management upon the broadest principles, 
and its adoption of the most advanced methods." 

The course of study fills three years ; the year is divided into three terms, in 



SOCIETIES. 133 



the aggregate thirty-eight or thirty-nine weeks in the year. Tlic ciirriculimi 
embraces three departments — the literary, the scientific, and the collegiate. The 
years are termed the Junior year, the Cursor year, and the Senior year. The 
conditions of admission and of continuance in the school are high, and such, if 
adhered to, as will ensure good scholarship. The school was organized 
Sept. 17, 1878, by Mr. Charles "\V. Stickncy, with an examination of ap- 
plicants for admission. Thirty-nine were found qualified for admission. The 
instructors are Charles W. Stickney, A. B., William L. Hooper, A. M., and 
Mrs. Henrietta N. Stickney, who has charge of the musical department. 
Henry B. Rogers, Esq., of Boston, is president of the board, and Rev. 
A. P. Peabody, D. D., and Rev. A. A. Miner, D. D., are members. This 
sketch is given in connection with the history of the secondary schools in 
the county, but further particulars will probably find a place in the history of 
Harvard. 

Perhaps some former or existing schools or academies, which deserve hon- 
orable mention, have escaped notice in this hasty sketch. If so, they will, 
without doubt, be duly honored in the history of the towns in which they are, 
or were, located. But surely this record is enough to show that the good peo- 
ple of Worcester County, in all their generations, have set a high estimate upon 
the institutions of learning which have been sustained at such cost. The 
liberal endowments by wealthy friends of a superior mental training, 
whether academical, scientific, military, literary, or collegiate, raise our hopes 
for the future of our children and youth. While the common schools are in 
the path of progress, the means of further advance in the line of a higher intel- 
lectual and moral training will be made more easy and accessible. By the 
enforcement of the provisions of the law in i-elation to the schooling of all 
children under the ago of fourteen years, and by increasing the interest of all 
classes of people in the education of their children, results will be attained 
which even our forefathers, who were far in advance of their age, never dared 
to expect. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



SOCIETIES AND ASSOCIATIONS. 



There are many associations of a literary, agricultural, musical, scientific 
or antiquarian nature, which are not local in the municipal sense, but extend 
over parts of the county, or the whole of it, and, in some cases, reach ont to 
other States. A brief account of some of these will be looked for in a county 
history. 

The American Antiquarian Societi/ was formed in 1812. The first steps 



134 COUNTY mSTORY. 



■were taken by Isaiah Thomas, LL. D., Hon. Nathaniel Paine, Dr. "William 
Paine, lion. Levi Lincoln, Sr., Rev. Aaron Bancroft, D. D., atiid Hon. 
Edward Bangs, all of AVorcester. In the absence of authority in Congress to 
grant such charters, they applied to the General Court for an act of 
incorporation, which was granted. The preamble states the object of the 
association very s\iccinctly : " Wliereas, the collection and preservation of the 
antiquities of our country, and of curious and valuable productions in Art and 
Nature, have a tendency to enlarge the sphere of human knowledge and the 
progress of science, to perpetuate the history of moral and political events, and 
to improve and interest posterity," therefore the movers pray for legislative 
sanction. The act was approved by Gov. Caleb Strong, on the 2-ith of Octo- 
ber, 1812. 

The corporators were Isaiah Thomas, Levi Lincoln, Harrison Gray Otis, 
Timothy Bigelow, Nathaniel Paine, Edward Bangs, John T. Kirkland, Aaron 
Bancroft, Jonathan II. Lyman, Elijah II. [Mills, Elisha Hammond, Timothy 
"Williams, William D. Peck. John Lowell, Edmund Dwight, Elcazer James, 
Josiah Qnincy, "William S. Shaw, Francis Blake, Levi Lincoln, Jr., Samuel 
M. Burnside, Benjamin Russell, Thaddeus M. Harris, Redford Webster, 
Thomas Wallcut, Ebenczer T. Andrews, Isaiah Thomas, Jr., William Wells. 

The meeting for effecting an organization under the charter was held in 
Boston, Nov. 19, 1812, when ten members were present. Isaiah Thomas 
was chosen president ; William D. Peck, vice-president; Thaddeus M. Harris, 
corresponding secretary ; and Samuel M. Burnside, recording secretary. 

On the 13lh of February, 1813, Dr. William Paine was chosen second vice- 
president, and Levi Lincoln, Jr., treasurer. The councillors were Timothy 
Bigelow of Medford; Aaron Bancroft and Edward Bmgs of Worcester; 
George Gibbs of Boston; William Bentley of Salem; Redford Webster and 
Benjamin Russell of Boston. 

Mr. Thomas presented his private library, valued at five thousand dollars, to 
the society. He received a vote of thanks, and was requested to keep it in his 
possession till a suitable place could be prepared. The library, and the cabi- 
net which had been started, received many additions from Mr. Thomas and 
others during the next four years. 

"Valuable manuscripts came into the possession of the society from time to 
time. Annnig thorn was a copy of the records of Boston from 1634 to IGGO. 
The letter-book of Cotton Mather, and the journal of Increase Mather in 1685, 
were given by Mrs. Crocker of Boston. She was a daughter of Cotton 
Mather. About nine hundred volumes from the libraries of the Mathers came 
from the same donor. 

Some difficulty in raising money for the purpose of erecting a library build- 
ing was experienced; but, in ISlit, Mr. Thomas offered to put up a suitable 
edifice at his own expense. The offer was gratefully accepted, and, at his 
request, a committee was chosen by the society to superintend the work. At 



ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY. 135 



this time, the library contained about six lliousand volumes ; many of tbcm 
rare and valuable works. The cabinet also begun to be lillcd with curious and 
iustructivo articles. 

The society had now become national, and even continental, in its scope 
and its connections. Honorary members were chosen from distinguished gen- 
tlemen belonging to other parts of our country, as well as other nations, and 
articles of value, suitable to the objects of the society, were sought for, by way 
of correspondence, from men of antiquarian and literary tastes, wherever they 
might be reached. Books, pamphlets and relics were received from all sec- 
tions of the country. Among these are many Indian relics, utensils and 
weapons. 

The society holds regular meetings twice each year. The annual meeting 
for the choice of olBccrs and other business is held in the month of October, in 
the Antiquarian Hall, in Worcester. A semi-annual meeting is held in Boston 
at the rooms of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. 

The tirst library building was on the east side of Summer Street, corner of 
Belmont, where it now remains, though devoted to other uses. It was large 
and convenient, compared with such edifices at the time of its erection ; but 
some of its apartments were damp, rendering it unsuitable for the safe keeping 
of books. Therefore it became, in the course of years, a matter of import- 
ance, and even necessity, to erect a new and more commodious house on a 
better location. 

Accordingly, in 1853, a new building of two stories high was erected on 
land given "by Hon. Stephen Salisbury, who also contributed five thousand 
dollars towards the cost of the building. The library room, with floor, 
gallery and alcoves, seemed spacious enough at the time of its building, but the 
rapid growth of the library room soon showed that further space must be pro- 
vided before a great lapse of time. There was a lot in the rear, afibrding 
space for a considerable addition. This the Hon. Stephen Salisbury pur- 
chased, and gave a fund of eight thousand dollars, which amounted, when 
needed, to about thirteen thousand dollars. The addition was made in 
the year 1877-8. The whole structure now ranks among the largest, most 
elegant and convenient library buildings in the country. In its contents 
it is unique, combining literature in every branch of human learning, and 
relics, antiquities and implements of peaceful and warlike use. Manuscripts, 
black-letter books, illuminated books, works in many languages, ancient and 
modern, living and dead, fill the shelves and cases. Portraits and busts, in 
great number and value, adorn the walls. It is resorted to daily by curious 
visitors, and its ample stores of materials for history and biography are con- 
sulted l)y students and men of literary tastes. The courtesy of the librarians 
has made the place a pleasant resort, and their knowledge of the contents 
of the numerous works makes them greatly helpful to all who seek their 
guidance. 



136 COUNTY mSTOKY. 



In 1831, it was voted that the number of American mcmlicrs should be 
limited to oue hundred and forty. In the same year, President Tliomas, 
at his decease, bequeathed the balance of his books, engravings and coins, 
and also a sum of money to constitute the basis of two permanent funds. 
One was to be the librarian's fund, and the other a collection and research fund. 

Since then, several other fuuds have been established ; and the aggrega'e 
is now about seventy thousand dollars. One is a publishing fund, of about 
nine thousand dollars. A binding fund of five thousand dollars was founded 
some years ago by President Salisbur}-. 

In 1876, the number of volumes in the library was over si.\ty thousand ; 
over four thousand of these were volumes of newspapers, from the " Doston 
News Letter" of April 24, 1724, to the issues of the last year. Some of these 
arc huge volumes, containing history in its crude details, hereafter to be 
elaborated into historical classics. 

The manuscripts have had a large if not proportionate increase. In this 
regard the library is rich, and will become more so in coming years. The 
Indian and archaeological specimens, in vast variety, gratify the curiosity of the 
casual visitor, and awaken the interest of the thoughtful. 

The presidents of the society have been Isaiah Thomas, LL. D., the 
founder, Hon. Thomas L. "Winthrop, LL. D., (he Hon. Edward Everett, 
LL. D., Hon. John Davis, LL. D., Hon. Stephen Salisbury, LL. D., its great 
benefactor, who now, at a venerable but active and munificent old age, occupies 
the position. 

The librarians have been William Lincoln, Christopher C. Baldwin, and 
Samuel F. Haven. Edmund M. Barton, employed several years in the lilirary, 
is now the efScicnt assistant librarian. The institution, on the whole, enjoys a 
prosperous activity, and has become not only an essential factor of the county 
and State, but a thing not to be spared from the nation. 

The Worcester Society of Antiquiti/. — The first meeting with a view to the 
formation of this societ}', was held at the house of Mr. Samuel E. Staples 
Jan. 24, 1875. At a subsequent meeting, February 13, the society was 
formed by the adoption of a constitution, the following gentlemen being 
present and concurring: Samuel E. Staples, John G. Smith, Franklin P. 
Rice, Richard O'Flyim, Henry D. Barber, Henry F. Stedman, and Daniel 
Seagrave. 

At the first regular meeting held under the constitution, the following officers 
were elected : President, Samuel E. Staples ; Vice-President, Henry 1>. Barber ; 
Secretary, Daniel Seagrave; Treasurer, Henry F. Stedman; Librarian, John 
G. Smith. 

The society being thus organized, held regular meetings, and had a steady 
growth, until in the beginning of 1878 there were more than fifty names on the 
roll of members, besides a respectable list of honorary members. In 1877 the 
society was incorporated under the general statute relating to corporations. 



WORCESTEE LYCEUM. 137 



In this document the object of the society is stated as being "for the purpose of 
cultivating and enconraging among its members a love and admiration for anti- 
quarian research and archfeological science, and, so far as practicable, to rescue 
from oblivion any historical matter that might otherwise be lost ; also the col- 
lection and preservation of antiquarian relics of every description." This object 
has been faithfully adhered to thus far, and much activity has been exhibited in 
making collections of ancient books, relics, &c., illustrating the past. One 
object of the society is to copy and print the inscriptions on the ancient bury- 
ing-grounds of the county. The old buryiug-grouud on the Common, in the 
centre of the city of AVorcestev, is now a pleasant grove, with no sign to mark 
it as a burial place ; yet the remains of the dead are resting there. In 1846, 
William S. Barton, Esq., now the city treasurer, made a map of this yard, and 
copied every inscription, with numbers, so that the position of each grave 
mi"-ht be found. This was published, and by permission of Mr. Barton, it has 
been reprinted in the proceedings of the society. 

A committee was appointed in 187G to collect inscriptions from other places 
of burial. Messrs. Ellery B. Crano, Albert A. Lovell, and Franklin P. Rice, 
the members of this committee, have completed the work in the old INIechanic 
Street yard in Worcester, aud have over a thousand inscriptions collected in 
the towns of Lancaster, Mendon, Shrewsbury, and Lunenburg. This work is 
to be continued in other towns in the county. The inscriptions in the Me- 
chanic Street cemetery have been published in the proceedings of the society. 

The officers at present are as follows : President, Hon. Clark Jillson ; Vice- 
Presidents, Ellery B. Crane, Albert Curtis; Secretary, Dauicl Scagrave ; 
Treasurer, James A. Smith ; Librarian, Albert A. Lovell. There are stand- 
ing committees under these titles : Executive committee, committee on nomi- 
nations, committee on biography, and committee on publication. 

The Worcester Lyceum and Natural Ilislory Association. — This association 
was formed in August, 1852, under the name of the Young ]\Icu's Library 
Association. It was designed specially for the benefit of the young men of the 
city. But though formed at that date, it has really taken the place of, or has 
absorbed into itself, several other associations. Membership is now open to 
residents in any part of the county, aud to ladies as well as gentlemen. 

It appe;irs from the "Account of the Worcester Lyceum and Natural History 
Association," prepared for the Centennial Exhibition in 1876, by Mr. Nathaniel 
Paine, that, a society styled the Worcester Lyceum of Natural History had been 
formed in 1825. A small collection of minerals, birds, shells, and other spec- 
imens in natural history was made and deposited in the rooms of the American 
Antiquarian Society. In 1830 active exertions to increase the collection 
ceased. This collection was given to the present lyceum bj- the surviving 
members of the first, when the natural histor}^ department was organized. 

In 1829 the Worcester County Lyceum was started, aud an address was de- 
livered by Hon. Emory Washburn, afterwards governor of the Commonwealth. 



138 COUNTY fflSTORY, 



The subject of common schools, and (he making of miipd and plans of the towns 
in the county was discussed. INIcasures were also taken to form a public 
library. The result was the incorporation of "The AVorcester County Athe- 
nffium" in March, 1830, with the intention of forming a general library for the 
use of the members. Rev. George Alien was president; F. W. Paine, treas- 
urer, and AVilliam Lincoln, secretary. Some, however, wanted a town organ- 
ization of a literary character, and secured the formation of the " Worcester 
Lyceum." 

With these facts in mind we go back to the year 1852, when, in the month 
of September, the constitution of the Young Men's Library Association was 
adopted. The committee who reported the document were Francis IL Dewey, 
Heury Chapin, William Cross and Joseph Mason. The object of the society 
was stated to be "the improvement of the young men of the city of Worcester 
by affording them intellectual and social advantages by the maintenance of a 
library, reading-room, and such courses of lectures and classes as may conduce 
to this end." 

The association was organized in December by the election of the following 
officers: Francis IL Dewey, president ; George W. Bentiey, vice-president; 
George F. Hoar, corresponding secretary ; Nathaniel Paine, recording secre- 
tary ; Henry Woodward, treasurer ; and fourteen directors. In January, 1853, 
the society was incorporated by the legislature, and on the sixteenth of April 
the above-named ofHcers were re-elected, with the addition of William Cross 
as second vice-president. 

Measures were taken at once to found a library. Between thirteen and 
fourteen hundred dollars were given in cash, and about nine hundred volumes. 
The library was opened in Jtmc, 1853, and at the close of the year the com- 
mittee reported a most gratifying rcsnlt. The charge for the use of books 
was one dollar per aimum ; and four hundred and thirty persons had taken out, 
in about six months, "eight thousand si.K hundred and twcuty books, or an 
average of six times a year for every book in the library." The number of 
volumes was then about eighteen hundred. Besides, a reading-room was 
established, and for the time was well furnished with papers and periodicals. 
At a later date, in 1865, the association contributed three hundred dollars 
towards cstal)li>hing the Free Public Reading-IIoom. 

In 1854 a natural history department was organized, with Rev. E. E. Hale 
as chairman, a secretary, treasurer, and eight curators. This was but an 
adjunct at first, but since the library and reading-room have been given up, it 
has become the main object of the society. At this time the Worcester 
Lyceum of Natural History, already spoken of, transferred its collection of 
minerals, birds, shells, and other specimens to the present society ; and this 
collection was the nucleus of the extensive cabinet which now takes high rank 
compared with similar institutions. The extent to which the cabinet has been 
increased will be given below. 



WORCESTER LYCEUM. 139 



In 1855 the Rhetorical Society, which was started a few years before, was 
nuTged ill the association, and its iil)raiy placed under its control. In due 
time the AVorcester County Lyceum and the Worcester County Atheniuum 
seem to have transferred all of their essential life, as well as their books, to 
this association, so that by ISoG the numljcr of volumes in the library was 
nearly four thousand, and a course of popular lectures on scientific and literary 
subjects had been established. 

In 1856 Dr. John Green placed his large private library in the charge of the 
association ; but subsequently, when it was thought that the time had come to 
found a free public library in Worcester, Dr. Greeu transferred his volumes to 
the city, and the association took the same course. Dr. Green's gift formed 
the foinidation of the Public Reference Library, and the gift by the association 
in 1859, of its four thousand five hundred volumes, laid the foundation of the 
circulating department of the Free City Library. 

The association now turned attention mainly to the subject of natural his- 
tory, and became almost strictly a scieutilic institution. It was named in 1866 
The AVorcester Lyceum and Natural History Association, and still bears the 
name. For books, the members now depend upon the Public Library, the 
Medical Library, and a small library of reference owned by the associa- 
tion. 

As now organized, after all the mutations above noted, the objects of the 
association are "the ditfusiou and promotion of useful knowledge aniono' the 
inhabitants of the city and county of Worcester ; first, by courses of popular 
lectures ; second, by encouraging the study of natural history, and by the col- 
lection and preservation of specimens in the various departments, together with 
a library with a view to that end; third, by aiding in the study of other 
sciences and the fine arts through acquiring such collcctious, and by such other 
means as the association may from time to time adopt." 

The association has popular courses of lectures each winter, and these being 
open to the public arc a source of revenue as well as a means of diffusin"- 
knowledge. Meetings are held monthly through the year, except in July, 
August, and Scpteiuber, when papers are read and discussions are held on 
topics germane to the objects of the society. The cabinet, which is large and 
in tine condition, is open to the public ouco a week, except in time of summer 
vacation. The following condensed statement gives some idea of the amount 
of work done by the members, and of the richness of the results. 

The Botanical Department contained, January, 1879, about fifteeuhundred 
specimens, including woods, mosses, sea-weeds, lichens, seeds, and plants. 
Also ferns, fruits, and woods from foreign countries, as well as from our own 
wide domain. 

There are in the Conchological Department over fifteen hundred species, 
and about four thousand specimens. In Comparative Anatomy there are one 
hundred and twelve species ; in Ornithology, one hundred and eighty-five 



140 COUNTY mSTORY. 



species of birds, besides nests and eggs. About eighteen liuiidred specimens 
in Geology and Mineralogy belong to the cabinet. The departments of Mam- 
malia, Aiticiilata, Radiata, and Mollusca contain, in the aggregate, over nine- 
teen hnndred species, and above twenty-three hnndrcd specimens. The 
departments of Ilerpctology, Iclhyology, Paleontology, and Anthropology are 
well represented by species and specimens; by fossils and shells, with vegeta- 
ble impressions ; by Indian utensils, weapons, and relics. 

The society has become an educating power in the county. Besides its 
papers, discussions, and lectures, it holds "field days," when (he male and 
female members explore particular sections of the county, and return, after a 
day of pleasure, laden with spoils. 

The following are the present officers of the Association ; President, Rev. 
Thomas E. St. John ; vice-presidents, James Bushec, Daniel Seagrave ; record- 
ing secretary, Herbert D. Braman ; corresponding secretary, Tliomas A. Dick- 
inson ; treasurer, Edward O. Parker. Besides these are a superintenLlcut of 
the cabinet, a lecture committee, and six curators, having charge of dilVorent 
departments. The only active member and officer ut the time of organization, 
who holds the same relation now, is Mr. Nathaniel Paine. 

The Worceiiter County Musical Axuocia/ion. — Tlie singing school has always 
been an important factor in the working of New England society. Prcs. Nott 
of Union College, who remembered " old times," used to say that singing schools 
had much to do in promoting good morals, early marriages, and the large fam- 
ilies of the last century. Nor were singing meetings confined to the young 
people of a parish or neighborhood. A hundred and forty or fifty years ago, 
it was the custom to have couveutions, by whatever name they were called, 
when singers came together from adjoining towns "to practise the music" 
which they had in those days. They were seasons of interest, enjoyment and 
unbounded hospitality. But this was a temporary flishiou, and vocal music, 
like other things, had its fluctuations. In the Revolution, as in the preceding 
wars, when the young men were off in the arm\-, and the singing on Sunday 
was left to their elders, there was very little enonragement to have singiug 
schools. 

Then came the composers about the close of the century, some of whoso tunes 
are yet heard in our worship, while others only add to the ludicrous perform- 
ances of the " Old Folks' Concert." Those were pleasant times, whether eighty 
or a hundred and fifty years ago ; for those writers have an entirely false view 
of ancient New England life, who conceive of it as shrouded in gloom. Its 
people were the happiest on the face of the earth. 

The great revival in sacred music forty or fifty years since, in the inception and 
progress of which Dr. Lowell INIason bore a prominent part, has secured per- 
manent results. The instruction given in singiug to the children and youth in 
the public schools, has been preparing the way for better music in the house of 
God. The facilities of modern travel enable the singers and performers scat- 



IVIUSICAL SOCIETIES. 141 



tered over a county to come together in a central place for comparison, and 
for mutual improvement under trained leaders. It is now almost thirty years 
since the impulse towards united cfTort in Worcester County, found cxprcr-sion 
in a musical convention held in the shire town in 1852. The attendance was 
not lar^e, however, and the attempt was not a success. Not until 1858 was 
there sufficient interest awakened to call together a large number of singers, 
and secure a succession. This meeting, held in September, 1858, was under 
the lead of Edward Ilarailtou of Worcester, and B. F. Baker of Boston. The 
convention then took the name of the Musical Institute. The same gentlemen 
conducted the exercises in the following year. In 18(30 the convention was held 
under the auspices of the Mozart Society, with Mr. Hamilton and E. H. Frost 
as directors. In the autumn of the next two years, the conventions were under 
the management of J. A. Dorman, with B. F. Baker as conductor. Previous 
to this time the conventions were held under the influence of leaders, conduct- 
ors or composers who were interested in some particular collection of music which 
was used by all the singers present. Though improvement in vocal music was 
the result, yet the primary object seemed to be the introduction of books and 
collections from which the conductors derived a profit. Their compensation 
was derived, in great measure, from the sale of books at the time, and their 
introduction into schools and choirs, afterwards, by those in attendance. But 
the time had come to be moved by a higher aim, which began to be manifested 
in 18G3. In the fall of that year two conventions were held in Worcester, at 
the same time. One assembled at the City Hall, under the management of Mr. 
Dorman, with B. F. Baker and B. D. Allen as conductors. The other conven- 
tion met in Mechanics' Hall. The management was in the hands of J. D. 
Moore ; the conductor was E. H. Frost. Towards the close of the meeting, on 
the second of October, the convention in Mechanics' Hall adopted the name of 
the Worcester County Musical Convention, with a view to permanence, and 
elected a full board of officers, including president, vice-president, recording 
and corresponding secretaries, treasurer, librarian, and twenty-six directors 
taken from different parts of the county. Samuel E. Staples was chosen presi- 
dent ; the vice-presidents were William Sumner, B. K. Dcland, Moses G. Lyon, 
A. C. Munroe and J. II. Samson ; the recording secretary and treasurer was 
William S. Denny, and the corresponding secretary and librarian was James 
D. Moore. 

This organization continues to the present time, though the name was 
changed from Convention to Association at the annual meeting in 1871. There 
has been a growing interest in the annual meetings for practice ; the attendance 
has been larger, the people of the city have patronized it more liberally by being 
present at the concerts, and the members have attained to a higher standard of 
musical performance. The introduction and sale of singing-books have been 
discarded, and the officers have aimed to assimilate the meetings to the great 
county musical festivals of England. Their endeavor has met with encour- 



142 COUNTY fflSTORY. 



a"fin"' success. The influence of the Associatioa is felt iu all the religious 
assemblies of the county. 

Without foliowin": the history of the Association, year liy year, it will be 
interesting hereafter to know the names of the conductors at the various meet- 
iuws. Some of the following geiitlcnieu have taken the lead on several occa- 
sions : E. H. Frost, Edward Hamilton, Solon Wilder, W. O. Perkins, George 
II. Root, C. P. Morrison, L. II. Southard, L. O. Emerson, Dudley Buck, B. 
D. Allen. Mr. Zerrahn has been the conductor for several years past, and 
many prominent artists, native and foreign, have contributed to the usefulness 
and enjoyment of the annual meetings. 

A few citations from the annual publication of the society will show its tone 
and spirit, and give an idea of the ennobling work to which the members are 
yearly called. "It has ever been the aim of the managers of our Associa- 
tion to make the festivals especially useful in elevating and improving the taste 
of its members for music which shall be ennobling in sentiment, and pure and 
loft V in style. The grand master-pieces of the most renowned comi)osers of 
ancient and modern times have been produced at our festivals, with the assist- 
ance of artists of world-wide reputation." Among the oratorios produced sev- 
eral times in past years, have boon the "Creation," "Elijah," "Samson," "Judas 
Maccabccus" and "Joshua," "with all the accessories of instrumentation and vocal 
art." The object and aim of this Association, at all its meetings, is "the im- 
provement of choirs in the performance of church-music; the formation of au 
elevated musical taste, through the study of music in its highest departments, 
and a social, genial, harmonious re-union of all lovers of music." 

The annual assemblies arc devoted to steady, solid work, day and evening. 
In the course of the week si.\ or eight concerts are given in the afternoon or 
evening, and these arc attended by large audiences. The lighter and more 
entertaining programmes arc made up of selections from the most celebrated 
composers, and are given in great variety. In 1878 Handel's "L'AUegro" 
and "II Penseroso," from Milton, was given with great cflect. The closing 
concert was ^Mendelssohn's great Oratorio of "Elijah,"' with Carl Zerrahn as con- 
ductor, and G. W. Sumner as organist. The great chorus of the Association, 
the Germania Orchestra, and several distinguished vocalists, united in rendering 
the sublime performance. 

The ofBcers of the Association for the year 1870 are the following : president, 
Hon. William R. Hill, Sutton ; vice-president, William Sumner ; secretary, A.C. 
Munroe; treasurer, J. E. Benchley ; librarian, G. W. Elkins ; directors, B. D. 
Allen, I. N. Mctcalf, Israel Plummer, C. M. Bent, C. E. Wilder, J. L. Adams, 
Rev. G. M. Howe, Daniel Downey. 

The Worcester Choral Union. — Much of the improvement in music in "Wor- 
cester and vicinity" is attributed to this association, which was first oiganized 
in 1850, and chartered by the legislature in 1872. Its intention was "to unite 
the entire choral force of the city and vicinity for the practice and performance 



AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 143 

of Oratorio and kindred styles of music." Rehearsals annually begin in Octo- 
ber. Carl Zerrahn is the musical director, and E. B. Story, pianist. This is 
mainly a city society, but as it includes the "vicinity," in a large sense, and has 
wide influence, a brief notice of it is not out of place in the history of the 
county. The officers are Charles M. Bent, president ; Charles E. Wilder, vice- 
president ; C. A. Lincoln, treasurer; L. M. Lovell, secretary, and George R. 
Bliss, librarian. 

The Worcester County Musical School. — Some years since a school with 
this title was formed in Worcester for furnishing "thorough instruction in 
piano, organ, singing, violin, flute, guitar, harmony, elocution," with a corps 
of nine instructors. Pupils were received at any time during the school 
year. 

In addition to this, proficients in music, residing in the city, are employed 
in the way of their profession in many towns throughout the county. Some go 
out to lead choirs ; some to hold singing schools ; others to preside at the organ 
on Sundays, and others still to teach private pupils. In all these ways the 
central city of the county is exerting a permanent influence in diffusing and 
elevating the musical taste of the people. 

JSJusical Conventions in the north-western section of the county have been 
held for several years in Gardner, Athol, and perhaps other towns, and have 
been attended by large numbers of those interested in the promotion of vocal, 
and especially sacred music. 

The Worcester Agricultural Society. — This society was formed in 1818, and 
the next year it had six hundred members. Levi Lincoln was the first presi- 
dent. The vice-presidents were Daniel Waldo and Thomas W. Ward ; treas- 
urer, T. AVheeler, E^^q. ; corresponding secretary, Levi Lincoln, Jr. ; record- 
ing secretary, E. D. Bangs, Esq. 

The first cattle-show and exhibition of manufactures was held October 7, 
1819, and from that time the society has exerted, year after year, a steady and 
healthy influence upon the agricultural and manufacturing interests of the 
county. It would be difficult to collect the materials for a fidl history of the 
association, and there is no need of it in this connection. The power of the 
society is in its present efficiency, rather than in its past records. Those who 
want information in this line, can find it in the annual reports. But as the 
society is a county institution, it deserves honorable mention. 

The present officers are : Charles B. Pratt, mayor of Worcester, president ; 
George II. Estabrook, secretary. The annual exhibition is in the early part 
of September. Among societies of the kind, this is pre-eminent. 

The names and officers of other societies of the kind in the county follow, so 
far as these societies include several towns, or a large section of the county. 
Town agricultural societies, farmers' clubs, and societies confined to limited 
neighborhoods, will properly find a place in the sketches of towns. 

There are five of these district agi-icultural societies in the county. One is 



144 COUNTY mSTORY. 



called Tlie Worcester West Society, and holds its anniiul cxhiliitioii, one or two 
days, in Barre. Several towns in that section unite in tbe display. They 
generally have an address, a public dinner, and speeches at the table. The 
present president and secretary arc : Thomas P. Koot and Henry J. Shat- 
tuck of Barre. The annual meeting is generally towards the last of the 
month. 

The Worcester J^orth-West Socicl>/ has Athol for its centre and place of 
meeting, and holds its exhibition late in Sci)ten)bcr, or early in October. This 
society is comparatively j'oung, but is managed with spirit and vigor. Tlic 
officers are : James P. Lynde and E. T. Lowis of Athol. 

T/ie Worcester JS'orth Society meets at Fitchbuig, which is convenient for 
many towns in the north-eastern part of the county. There is usually a large 
attendance at the cattle-show, horse-trot, and exhibition of vegetables. The 
president is Dr. George Jewctt, and the secretary is Thomas C. Sheldon. 

The Worcester Soiith-East Society has its head-quarters at Milford, and in 
many respects almost rivals the county society. Its annual meetings occupy 
two days in (he last week of September. Its president is J. '\Y. Harris of 
Milford, and the secretary is Joseph IT. "Wood of the same place. 

The South Worcester Society takes in many towns, and generally has a 
large and creditable display of live stock, horses, agricultural products, manu- 
factures, and cunning work of female fingers. Two days are necessary for its 
annual show. The president is Samuel N. Gleason of Warren, and the secre- 
tary is Amasa C. Morse of Sturliridge. 

One who looks over the printed papers which are published by these socie- 
ties will be surprised at the amount of good reading which they furnish. A 
great amount of superior talent is called out, every year, in connection with 
agriculture. The addresses made by selected orators ; the reports made by 
committees to whom particular parts of the exhibition are referred ; the papers 
read at the winter meetings of the societies, are fraught with sense, experience, 
eloquence and wit. The theoretical and the practical farmer bring the results 
of their experiments together, and the annual product of fruit goes on increas- 
ing, whether the products of the fields and the dairy are largo or small. The 
experience of so many men, trying all conceivable methods to raise more from 
the same number of acres, must be a guide to all you?)g f\irmcrs ; and, doubt- 
less, many things have been learned, besides improved machinery, that were 
unknown to our fathers. 

The Worcester Horticultural Society. — This association is not confined in 
its meml)crship or its scope to the city of Worcester, and may therefore take 
its place in the list of county institutions. It was formed Sept. 19, 1840, 
and its first president was John Green, M. D. The vice-presidents were Sam- 
uel B. Woodward, M. D., the celebrated superintendent of the Hospital for 
the Insane, and Hon. Stephen Salisbury. The corresponding secretary was 
William Lincoln, and the recording secretary Benjamin Ilcywood. The society 



EELIGIOUS AFFAIRS. 145 



was chartered in 1842. The Hon. Daniel Waldo was one of the patrons of 
the society, and made it a gcnerons beqncst. 

The society began early to have horticnltural exhibitions, and these have 
become more complete and satisfactory in the conrse of years. Much has been 
done in improving horticulture and lloriculture since the society was formed ; 
and the stimulus to this improvement has been given, in large measure, by the 
annual exhibitions and reports. It is expected, as a matter of course, that the 
reports of committees and secretaries will afford much information on all mat- 
ters o-ermano to the object of the association ; but it would seem that the wits 
of the county, forsaking the columns of the press, brought their lively and 
readable i)roductions to the annual publication of the society. The reports of 
the secretary alone would make a volume replete with sense, with sarcasm, 
information and practical wisdom. Such a book would be read with interest 
now, and generations hence. 

The different presidents have been since the first, as follows : Isaac Davis, 
John M. Earle, Stephen Salisbury, D. W. Lincoln, Alexander II. Bullock, 
George Jaques, J. Henry Ilill, Francis II. Dewey, George, W. Richardson, 
George II. Francis, O. B. Iladwcn, and William T. Mcrrifield. In 18G6, 
Edward W. Lincoln Avas chosen secretary and librarian, and has held both 
offices most of the time. The present librarian is John C. Newton. The office 
of recording secretary has been held by Benjamin Ilcywood, L. L. Newton, 
J. C. B. Davis, and, perhaps, others, besides the present incumbent. 

The displays of flowers and fruits at the annual exhibitions are wonderful for 
abundance and beauty. The variety of fruits and vegetables seems to increase 
yearly, and the plants and cut flowers show that every clime lias been levied 
upon for the rarest, choicest and loveliest productions of the floral kingdom. 



CHAPTER XIV. 
RELIGIOUS CONFERENCES AND DENOMINATIONS. 

There are many associations, of one and another kind, in the county, 
which include members of several towns, and perhaps the whole county, which 
form no part of public history, as they are private in their nature. Such are 
lodges of Masons, Odd Fellows, Templars, and the like, which are secret to a 
certain extent, and only come before the community on special occasions. In 
like manner clerical, legal and medical clubs, or societies, though not secret, 
are private. The Congregational Club comes under the same head. The 
history of them all is apart from the county, and must, therefore, be omitted. 

But there are certain associations, by which the churches of the same denom- 



14G COUNTY mSTORY. 



ination, belonging to the whole county or a section of the count}', arc. hound 
toaether, which properly come within our purview. The fallowing is intended 
as a full list of this class of brotherhoods. 

Associations of CnuncnES. 

There are five associations of this kind connected wMth the Orthodox Con- 
gregational denomination. These, in their order, begin with the Worcester 
Central Conference. This includes the churches in the city of Worcester, and 
the towns of Aubin-n, Berlin, Boj'lston, Clinton, Iloldcn, Leicester, O.xford, 
Paxton, Princeton, Rutland, Shrewsbury, Sterling and West Bi)ylston ; in all, 
twenty-one churches. The (^)nfcreuco is composed of delegates from each 
church, with their pastor, and all the ministers of the denomination without 
charge, within the bounds of the churches. Meetings arc held semi-annually, 
in May and October. These Conferences have no ecclesiastical power what- 
ever. They are for the purpose of Christian fellowship and spiritual rpiicken- 
ing, and the exercises are adapted to that end. Sermons, essays, addresses, 
with singing, prayer and the Lord's Supper, occupy the time. Benevolent 
societies generally have an opportunity to present their clain)s. What is said 
above pertains to tlic other Conferences, and need not bo repeated. 

T/te Worcester North Conference holds its autumn meeting, two days, about 
the third week in October, and a meeting, one day, in June. The churches in 
the following towns compose the Conference: Ashburnham, Athol, Gardner, 
HuI)bardston, Petersham, Phillipston, Royalston, Templeton, Westminster and 
Winchcndon ; in all fourteen churches, besides two in Franklin County. The 
meetings are held in different places from year to year. 

The Worcester South Conference comprises fourteen churches, all of which 
are within the limits of the county. They are in the following towns : Black- 
stone, Douglas, Grafton, Millbury, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton, Uxbridge, 
Webster and Westborough. 

The Broolfiehl Conference contains twenty-one churches, all but four of 
which arc in Worcester County. They arc in the following towns : Barre, 
Brookfield, Charlton, Dana, Dudley, Ilardwick, New Braintrce, North Brook- 
field, Oakham, Southbridge, Spencer, Sturbridge, Warren and West Brook- 
field. 

The Middlesex Union Conference includes eighteen churches, seven of which 
are in Worcester County. These arc in the city of Fitchburg, and the towns 
of Harvard, Lancaster, Leominster and Lunenburg. Like nearly all the Con- 
ferences in the region, this holds a spring and a fall meeting. The total 
amount of money raised by these churches in the five Conferences, for the year 
1878, for expenses and charities, including the payment of church debts, was 
not for from $240,000. 

The churches aI)ove mentioned are seventy-one; there are a few others 
belou'nn"' to Conferences in other counties, making about seventy-seven con- 



CHURCH ASSOCIATIONS. 147 



ncctcd with tlio Coiigregutional denominatioii, or Orthodox, us they are styled 
ill eoimuon speech. One or more are to bo found in the cities, and in nearly 
every town in the county. The two exceptions are Bolton and Mendon. The 
Hillside Church in the former was absorbed by the neighboring churches when 
it ceased to be a centre, and its life went into other organizations. It did not 
die, but was transhitcd. 

Haplisi Associcdio7ix. — It may save confusion to remark that the clerical 
meetings of the Congregationalists in ^Massachusetts are called Associations, and 
the meetings of associated churches are called Conferences. Among the 
Baptists the meetings of associated churches within convenient bounils are 
named Associations. The annual meeting, which represents the whole Baptist 
interest in the Commonwi^alth, is styled the " INIassacluisetts Baptist Convention" ; 
while a similar body of the Congregationalists is named the "The General 
Association of the Congregational Churches of Massachusetts." 

There are two Baptist Associations, composed almost wholly of churches 
within the limits of the county, while a few churches in the county belong to 
other Associations. In this notice only the churches within the county will be 
included. 

T/ie Wachusett Association embraces the churches in Barre, Bolton, 
Clinton, Fitchburg, Gardner, Harvard, Iloldcn, Leominster, Sterling, 
Templeton, West Boylston, Westminster and Winchendon ; in all, thirteen 
churches. 

TJie Worcester Association includes four churches in the city of Worcester, 
and the churches in Brooktield (East), Grafton, (First and Second), Leicester, 
Millbury, Korthborough, Oxford, Southbiidge, Sturbridge, (First, Second, and 
Manchaug), Spencer, Uxbridge, Webster and Westborough ; in ail, twenty 
churches. 

The church in Milford and the church in Fayville (Soulhi)orough) belong to 
the Framingham Association. The church in Athol, the church in Petersham 
and the church in Royalston belong to the Miller's River Association. Putting 
all together, the Baptist churches in the county number thirty-eight. 

Mcthoditft Districts. — The Methodist churches in the State are connected 
with ditferent Conferences, but the New England Conference, so called, 
includes the majority. This Conference extends from the seaboard to the 
Connecticut Valley. It is divided into these four districts, namely, the Boston 
District, the North Boston District, the Lynn District, and the Springtiold 
District. The latter contains no churches located in this county, but the other 
three districts embrace quite a number of churches within our bounds. 

The Boston District, which is supervised by a presiding elder, has five 
churches in the city of Worcester, and churches in Charlton, Leicester, 
Milford, Millbury, New England Village (Grafton), Oxford, Shrewsbury, 
Southbridge, Spencer, Upton, Uxbridge, Webster, Westborough and Whitius- 
ville (Northbridge). Total, nineteen. 



148 COUNTY HISTORY. 



Tlie Springfield District, having also a presiding older, includes Ihc Metho- 
dist churches in South Athol, AVarrcn and West AVarren ; in all, three. 

The Xorth Boston District, similarly organized, cnihraccs the Methodist 
churches in Ashl)urnham, Athol, Karrc and Ilardwick, Clinton, Templeton 
(East), Fitchhurg, Gardner, Ilubhardston, Leominster, Lnnenherg, Oakdulo 
("West Boylston), Phillipston, Princeton, South Royalston and Wincheudon. 
Whole number, fifteen. Total IMethodist churches in the county, thirty- 
seven. 

The Worcester Conference of Congregational (Unitarian) and other Chris- 
tian Societies, was organized at Worcester, Dec. 12, 18(56. Connected with 
it are twenty-seven societies belonging to the county, and three in other coun- 
ties, viz., at Ware, Marlborough, and Hudson. Those societies which arc 
within the bounds of the county, are in the following towns :— Athol (two), 
Barre, Berlin, Bolton, Brookfield, Clinton, Fitchhurg, Grafton, Harvard, 
Milford, Hubbardston, Lancaster, Leicester, Leominster, Mendon, North- 
borough, Petersham, Sterling, Sturbridge, Templeton, Upton, Uxbridge, West- 
borough, Winchcndon, and Worcester (two). 

The Conference holds three meetings each year, in January, May and 
September, the first being the annual meeting. Like the Conferences of the 
Orthodox Congregatioualists, this has no ecclesiastical or ministerial power. 
It is composed of ministers, and delegates, male and female, from the churches 
of the connection within the bounds of tiie Conference. The object is ex- 
pressed in the name. Sermons, essays, discussions, and devotional exorcises 
occupy the time. The benevolent causes of the denomination are sometimes 
presented. The religious life of the various churches and societies is fostered 
and expressed in this social and fraternal way. 

The officers for the year 1879 arc as follows : lion. Charles A. Stevens of 
AYare, president; Rev. Iloury F. Cutting of Sterling, secretary; and John C. 
Otis of Worcester, treasurer. 

Episcopal Churches in Worcester Connty. — These churches are all embnicod 
in the diocese of Massachusetts, and have no local organization which makes 
a separate report of church statistics. The following are the Episcopal 
churches in the county, with the name of the church, and of the town or other 
place where located :— Clinton (Good Shepherd), Fiskdale (Grace), Fitch- 
burg (Christ), Milford (Trinity), Millvillc (St. John's), Oxford (Grace), 
Rochdale (Christ), Southborough (St. Mark's), Webster (Reconciliation), 
Wilkinsonville (St. John's), Worcester (All Saints'). Total number, eleven. 
Vnivcrsalist Churches.— Ihcvo. are churches or religious societies of this 
denomination in Charlton, D.-ma, Fitchhurg, Gardner, Milfiu-d, Oxford, South- 
bridge, Warren, Webster, Westminster and Worcester, making eleven. 

Catholic Churches in Worcester Count i/. —The diocese of Springfield was 
estal)lished in June, 1870, and comprises the five western counties of Massa- 
chusetts. The bishop is the Rt. Rev. Patrick O'Reilly, D.D. The churches 



BIBLE SOCIETY. U9 



of this order, in Worcester County, arc located as follows, with the names by 
■which they arc designated: — Ashbiirnham (St. Dennis), Athol (St. Cath- 
erine's), Barrc (St. Joseph's), Blackstonc (St. Paul's), Brookticid (St. Mary's), 
Clinton (St. John's), Douglas (St. Patrick's), Fitchburg (St. Bernard's), 
Fitchburg, West, (Sacred Heart), Gardner (Sacred Heart of Jesus), Gill)ert- 
ville (St. Aloysius), Grafton (St. Philip's), Iloldeu (St. Mary's), Leicester 
(St. Joseph's), Leominster (St. Leo's), Milfurd (St. Mary's), MilUmry (St. 
Bridget's), North Brookficld (St. Joseph's), Otter River, Oxford (St. Roch's), 
Rochdale (St. Aloysius), Rutland, Shrewsbury (St. Theresa's), Southbridgo 
(St. Peter's, and Xotre Dame) , Spencer (St. Mary's) , Stoneville (St. Joseph's) , 
Temploton (St. Martin's), Uxbridge (St Mary's,) Upton (Holy Angels), 
Warren (St. Bridget's), West Warren (St. Thomas's), Webster (St. Louis's), 
Westborough (St. Luke's), West Boylston (St. Luke's), Wincheudon (Im- 
maculate Heart of Mary), Whitinsville (St. Patrick's), Worcester (St. John's, 
St. Joseph's Chapel, St. Paul's, St. Ann's, Notre Dame, Immaculate Concep- 
tion). Total number of churches, forty-three. 

The following denominational statistics have lieeu gathered from the United 
States Census of 1870. 

At that time the Baptists had forty churches, and fifteen thousand one hun- 
dred and seventy-five sittings. 

The Congregationalists had seventy-three churches, and forty thousand 
four iumdred and forty-five sittings. 

The Episcopalians had eleven churches, and five thousand four hundred and 
twenty sittings. 

The Methodists had forty-two churches, and fonrteeu thousand four hmidred 
and five sittings. 

The Roman Catholics had thirty-five churches, and sixteen thousand one 
hundred and seventy-five sittings. 

The Unit;irians had twenty-seven societies, and fourteen thousand five hun- 
dred sittings. 

The Universalists had twelve societies, and five or six thousand sittings. 

The minor denominations ai-e not reported in full, but are supposed to have 
about twenty societies, and a corresponding number of sittings. 

The whole number of churches, societies, or organizations was two hundred 
and sixty. The number of church edifices was two hundred and fifty-two. 
The number of sittings was one hundred and fourteen thousand three hundred 
and eighty-two. The value of church property was two million two hundred 
and seventy-one thousand and three hundred and seventy dollars. 

Worcester Count)/ Bible Sodetij. — Not long after the formation of the 
American Bible Society, auxiliary societies were formed in States, counties, 
and cities to co-operate in the work of raising money, and assist in the dis- 
tribution of the Sacred Scriptures. The Society in this county was organized 
Sept. 7, 1815, when the constitution was adopted with the title of "The 



150 COUNTY mSTORY. 



Auxiliary Bible Society in the County of Worcester." The following :ire the 
important points in the constitution: — 1. "The distribution of Bibles and 
Testaments in the common Enjrlish version, without note or comment, shall be 
the sole abject of the Society." 2. "The supply of those families in the 
county of Worcester which arc destitute of the Scriptures and are unable to 
purchase them, shall be the primary object ; any surplus means shall be ap- 
plied to a more extensive dissemination of the Bible at the direction of the 
Society." 3. One dollar per annum was to constitute a member, so lonir as he 
paid that sura. 4. Ten dollars, in advance, made the giver a member for life. 
Every settled minister of the gospel in the county, of any denomination 
was ex officio, a member. The officers, chosen annually, were a president, 
vice-president, secretary, treasurer and seven directors. The officers were 
members of the board of directors. The directors, three of whom made a 
quorum, had the whole management of the business of the Society. Every 
person paying a dollar a year, might have a Bible yearly, provided ho took it 
within three months. The annual meetings were to be on the second Thursday 
of September, when a sermon or address was to be delivered l)y some mem- 
ber of the Society. The object of the Society was to sell Bibles cheap to 
persons of limited means, who preferred to buy, as well as to give to the poor. 
The constitution, of which a full outline is given above, was adopted by a 
convention of deleirates from various religious societies in the county. The 
following otBccrs were chosen: President, Hon. Joseph Allen of Worcester; 
Vice-President, Rev. Joseph Sumner, D. D., of Shrewsbury; Secretary, Rev. 
(afterwards Dr.) Nathaniel Thayer of Lancaster ; Treasurer, lion. Benjimiu 
Ilcywood of Worcester. The directors were Rev. Dr. Aaron Bancroft, Hon. 
Benjamin Adams of Uxbridge, Rev. Dr. John Fiskc of New Ikaintree, James 
Wilson, Esq., Worcester, Rev. Elisha Rockwood, Westborough, Mr. Pliny 
Earle, and Levi Lincoln, Jr., Esq., of Worcester. 

This Society existed without organic change nearly sixty years, as a vigor- 
ous auxiliary, though by degrees the change made in the modes and celerity of 
travel caused it to do less than formerly, when it was not so easy for the State 
or national society to have agents in the field. The work can now be done as 
readily from Boston or New York as from Worcester. Annual meetings were 
held, and money was raised for the distribution of the Scriptures at home, 
or to 20 into the general fund to supply the destitute in other parts of the land 
and the world. At several times inquiries were made throngliout the county 
in order to find every fiimily that was destitute of a copy of the Bible. Li all 
such cases a copy was given, if the family were willing to receive it. This 
has been dom- at other times, cither by the county or by the central societies. 
In this way the native ixipulation were supplied with the Bibles. It has been 
olTered to all classes of the foreign-born, and in many cases has been gratefully 
received, but, as a general thing, they prefer a copy of their own version, 
which is supplied, as wanted, through their own bjoksellers. The history of 



RELIGIOUS HISTORY. 151 

one year is that of another, and, therefore, no great space is needed to 
record it. 

This was the state of things until a few years since, when, for the reasons 
ahovc nientioned, tiie Society ceased to represent the county, and became the 
Bible Society of "Woi-cester. The last piesident of the Society was the late 
Hon. Henry Chapin. 

Three or four years since, the Society, as a local organization, canvassed the 
city, in part, and supplied Bibles to the destitute. The same work is done 
through the Young Men's Christian Association, and by the aid of private 
Christians, at present. The Rev. William T. Sleeper is the secretary of the 
Society in its present form. A Bible Depository was kept in Wo7"cester, 
where the Scriptures, in all styles of binding and at different prices could be 
obtained ; and perhaps the same arrangement still exists. By a recent change 
in the policy of the national society, the need of depositories will not be so 
great, as booksellers are to lie supplied from the Bible House in New York, at 
wholesale prices, and the Bii)lcs are to be sold, like other books, to suit pur- 
chasers. It is supposed that by this means sales will be increased, and the 
Bible more widely circulated, at less expense. 



CHAPTER XV. 



RELIGIOUS HISTORY OF THE COUNTY. 



The preceding statement in regard to the churches and associations or con- 
ventions and conferences of the different denominations, with the names and 
locations of the individual churches, and the statistics of the various religious 
bodies in the county, may bo properly followed by a condensed sketch of the 
j^lanting and growth of the churches since the first settlement in Lancaster. 

The great body of the people of the county, from the beginning till after the 
Revolution, belonged to the Congregational denomination. About sixty years 
ago it was found that some of the churches had gradually departed from the 
doctrines which were held by those who founded them, and had adopted a 
modified system of belief. Some had become. Arians, some Sociuians ; but all 
agreed in the points which made them one as Unitarians. In some places, the 
parish or town had drifted away from the strict faith of the fathers, while the 
church adhered firmly to the ancient symbols. All continued to be Congrcga- 
tionalists in the matter of church organization and government. The number 
of churches in the county that were separated from the main body, on account 
of a change of belief, was about twelve. One of these was the oldest church 
in the county, that of Lancaster, which was organized in lOGO, and which 



152 COUNTY HISTORY. 



remained in its original connection until the time of Rev. Dr. Thayer, who was 
ordained in 1793 and died in 1840. Its main historj-, therefore, comes under 
this division, in treating of the Orthodox or Trinitarian Congrcgationalists. 
Its present connection will bo recognized in the proper place. 

Beginning, then, wilh the year IGGO, we find a church in Lancaster. The 
church in Mcndon was organized, perhaps, in 1667, though this is not certain. 
There was a raccting-house .and preaching in Brookficid before the massacre in 
1G75, but if a church was formed the records do not remain. It is believed 
that the churches in Lancaster and Mendon were the only ones before the cud 
of the century, though there were places where preaching was enjoyed before 
churches were organized. In this connection the churches of Indian converts 
are not included. There is some reason to suppose that the church in Lancas- 
ter became extinct after the massacre in 1676, as Judge Sewall in his diary 
states that a church was organized there in IGOO. The next church was not 
established till 1716. This was the Old South in Worcester. The first church 
in Brookficid, now West Brookficid, was established in 1717. The next two 
were in Rutland and Sutton in 1720, and the church in Leicester was organized 
in 1721. The church in Westborough was organized in 1724; the church in 
Uxbridge in 1700, and the church in Grafton was started in 1731. This was 
the year in which the county was incorporated. From which it appears that 
there were but nine churches in the county at its formation, unless one or two 
have been omitted, which subsequently became Unitarian. 

The question arises, what proportion of the people in the above towns, con- 
stituting the new county, were members of the churches? It is impossible to 
o-ive a definite reply ; but it is certain that the popular impression on the sub- 
ject is erroneous. It is believed, and often said, that the people in those early 
days were eminently religious, in comparison with their successors. One 
ground for this general belief is that all the towns were supplied with able, 
learned and pious ministers soon after their settlement. Taking for granted 
that meetings were held, and meeting-houses built, and ministers supported by 
the spontaneous liberality of the people, it is readily inferred that a large pro- 
portion of them were memlicrs of the church, leading prayerful and godly 
lives. But when we take into the account the fact that no settlement was 
authorized to have the privileges of a township until they had made provisions 
for the support of a faithful minister, the ease is altered. The settlers in any 
particular place might or might not be highly moral and religious. What the 
General Court was determined to secure to each town was, the means of relig- 
ious training for the people and their children. And this policy was adhered 
to with tenacity ; certainly, with most beneficial results. This one thing made 
it sure that all the new communities in the county, as well as those then exist- 
ing, should be, or become, intelligcut, thrifty, moral, and to a large degree, 
rcli"-if)us, in the true sense of the word. But wc come 1)ack to the question in 
re"-ard to the relative proportion of the members of the church to the whole 



CHURCH GROWTH. 153 



population. As wc have no reliable statistics in rcgaril to the popula- 
tion of the towns, and very few accessible tlocunients to determine the 
nuinl)er of members in the respective churches, an exact conclusion cannot be 
roaclu'd. 

There are, however, detached facts which help us to understand the matter 
to a certain extent. For example, when Lancaster was set up as a township, 
and there were nine or ten men with families on the ground, there were only 
three "freemen," or men qualified to vote and hold office by virtue of their 
membership in the church. This caused such heart-burning and excitement, — 
such "boiling," as the old records put the matter, that the people applied to 
the General Court to appoint a committee of three men belonging to other 
towns, who should take the oversight of their affairs as a town, and give direc- 
tions to a board of selectmen. This was done, and the famous Major Simon 
Willard, the chairman of the committee, removed to Lancaster, Avhcre he 
resided several years, and guided the people while laying the foundations in 
church and state. A similar arrangement was made in Brookfield, one of the 
oldest towns, and doubtless for a similar cause. In those times there were 
restive men in the sea-board towns who were willing to move away and form 
new communities in the interior, where they could be comparatively free from 
restraint. The iirst company who made a move towards founding Lancaster 
were of this sort; but the authorities gave them no encouragement, and they 
did not come. A better class of men made the undertaking, and were success- 
ful ; but, as we have seen, the number of church members among them was so 
small that they needed guidance from abroad. As a result of settling Mr. 
Rowlandson, and the maintenance of the pul)lic worship of God, the church 
was enlarged, but there is no evidence that it became relatively numerous. 
The tax-payers supported the service as the law required; and, as the law 
required, they generally attended meeting. Doubtless they also recognized 
the needed value of religious faith and ordinances, but that is a different 
thing from being active and exemplary members of the church. 

As in Lancaster and Brookfield, so in Worcester, the original settlers were 
not largely in the church. Strenuous efforts were made to increase the relig- 
ious element, and probably there was a gain from decade to decade, but there 
were fearful impediments to progress. In the first place, the people soon be- 
came subject to all the evils of savage warfare. All the oldest towns were 
harassed, more or less, by the war of King Philip, and the Indian wars that 
followed, with intervals, till "Lovewell's fight." One or two towns, as Lan- 
caster and Brookfield, were almost or entirely broken up. The settlement of 
Worcester was hindered. It is an estaljlishcd fact of history that such wars 
are peculiarlj^ demoralizing, since civilized and Christian peoples learn to fight 
the savages in their way. Human life is made cheap ; and the feeling grows 
up that the ignorant and debased children of the woods may be slain like wild 
beasts. But with this feeling there is a peculiar hatred and contempt that wild 



154 COUNTY HISTORY. 



animals cannot excite. Besides, in the course of time, many families would 
take up farms at considerable distance from the centre, where the meeting- 
house and school-house stood. This distance led to the neglect of schooling, 
and of public worship. Only b}' the fidelity of the ministers and the good 
people who sustained them, could those living in the outskirts of the towns be 
drawn to meeting, or have meetings held in their neighborhood. It was one of 
the strong pleas for the formation of new towns that they might establish new 
centres where they could enjoy better religious and educational privileges. In 
addition, this was a period, between 1600 and 1730, of a religious reaction in 
England, the efFects of which were felt, to some extent, in New England, as 
well as in the middle and southern Colonies. The loose thinking and vile 
manners which Charles II. brought in, after the strictness of the Commonwealth 
era, did not lose its force for sixty years, though it gradually became loathsome, 
and created a necessity for the reformation brought about by the labors of 
"Watts, Doddridge, the Wcsleys, 'Whiteiield, and otiier men of that stamp, who 
were influential in lifting England out of the gutter into the regions of a whole- 
some social and religious life. English books and plays, English governors and 
other officials, English business men, sailors and travelers, were continually 
exerting an influence upon society in all our coastwise towns, and thus another 
impediment to the increase of sound doctrine and upright living was in active 
operation. But in spite of all these antagonistic forces, society became estab- 
lished on a solid basis in our towns, and churches grew in number and 
influence. 

Taking the period from 1731 to the close of the Revolution in 1783, we find 
that twenty-nine churches had been formed, which still exist in the Orthodox 
connection, besides a few which arc now in the Unitarian ranks. During this 
halfcentur}' many new towns were formed. Indeed, nearly all the towns iu 
the county Avest of Lancaster and north of Brookfield, except Rutland, were 
incorporated in this period. It was a time of new settlements to them, with 
the same hardships from the necessity of felling the wo'ods and subduing a 
rough and rocky soil, as the settlers of the older towns had to face. Besides 
this, during these fifty years the people were engaged in three or four pro- 
longed and wasting wars. The Spanish war, which broke out in 1739 ; the old 
French and Indian war, which Mas declared by France in March, 1741; the 
last French and Indian war, which lasted from 1755 to 17C3, in which the Col- 
onies sent troops year after j'car, on hazardous and deadly campaigns to 
Canada and the eastern Pi-ovinces, and finally the war of the Revolution, ex- 
tending from 1775 to 1783. In those times when the young and middle-aged 
men were away from the kindly charities of home and the elevating influences 
of public worship ; when exposed to all the temptations of the camp, the siege, 
the sack, and the battle, religion had a hard struggle to maintain its hold on 
the minds and hearts of the people. There was but little relative increase of 
the church upon the whole community. Yet there was a gain, because in the 



CHURCH-GOING. 155 



fii-tit half of this period occurred that groat religious awakening of which Jona- 
than Edwards, the elder, was the chief agent and exponent, which, by God's 
blessing, saved New England from threatening moral paralysis, and gave its 
churches new life. Such a work, so general and so profound, was then unpar- 
alleled in our history, and has never since been surpassed in any land. With- 
out it, many statesmen, as well as philosophers and divines, have doubted if 
the colonists would have had the energy to enter on the struggle for inde- 
pendence, or the virtue to come out of it without entire demoralization. What 
with war, and the influence of allies who were steeped to the lips with the 
French infidelity of that age, there was a fearful outlook for the young before, 
diu-in^"-. and after the Revolutionary war. The old forms remained intact, the 
old symbols of belief were repeated in the church, in the school, and in the 
family, but the leading minds in this county, outside of (he pulpits, were 
familiar with the writings of the English deists, who were bitterly hostile to 
the Christian religion, and made strenuous eiforts to undermine its power. 
The first lawyer in the town of Worcester, Mr. Putnam, was outspoken in 
opposition to the authority of the Bible, and told his student, John Adams, that 
the works of the authors above mentioned were in circulation through the 
county, and were received with favor by the majority of the most intel- 
ligent men. Yet the churches stood ih'm, and the ministry maintained 
their ground amid the torrents of error and vice which threatened to deluge 
them. 

As no statistics of the churches were published in those days, and as there 
was no reliable census of the State, it is impossible to learn the exact propor- 
tion of professors to non-professors in the period under notice, without 
consulting the records of the churches. So far as these have been read, they 
show a respectable list of the names of men, with about twice as many female 
names, as is the case in our times. In the towns whose history has been pub- 
lished, it will be found, so f\ir as the facts are given, that Avhilc the church was 
gaining, yet there was a less number on its rolls, compared with the whole 
population, than there has been during the last three-quarters of a century. 
And this is true not only of the native-l)orn population, but including the 
whole of whatever race or religion. 

Again, there is an exaggerated idea of the church-going habits of those who 
lived in the olden times. Because people were required by law to attend 
meeting, and were arraigned and fined for non-attendance, it is hastily con- 
cluded that they did attend with great punctuality. But there were sick and 
old i^eople, as well as little children, then as now, who could not go out on the 
Sal)bath. Allowance nuist be made for them. Then a man was not complained 
of for occasional absence. If he was not seen at the meeting-house for several 
Sundays in succession, his case might be looked into and made a subject of 
complaint. It is said to have been the practice of many ministers, Avhcn they 
missed any of their flock fi-om the house of worship, to call the next day and 



156 COUNTY HISTORY. 



eeo if they were sick. But these calls were probably made on habitual attend- 
ants, and not on that class which thou existed, as it now exists, who were 
present only at distant intervals. 

There is one test that can easily be applied. Take the population of any 
town, when it can be ascertained, and then find the size of the niceting-house, 
or its capacity to seat a mixed congregation of old and young. It will probably 
be found that few, if any, towns in the county had sittings for more than half 
the people during the last century. This was a fair supply after allowing for 
infancy and old age, and the sick, and the attendants on the sick, but it proves 
that our fathers were more scantily supplied with houses of worship than are 
their descendants and successors. 

In 1783, at the close of this period, there were forty-seven towns in the 
county, and a church was established in every town. All these were of the 
Congregational order. There is a similar church in all these towns at present, 
except Colton and ISIeudon. In these towns, the old churclies have become 
Unitarian, and no Orthodox Congregational churches have arisen to take their 
place. As stated before, the first churches in some other towns have been 
through a like change, but new churches have been fi)rmed which are con- 
nected with the original communion. Up to this time, only five Baptist 
churches had been organized in the county : the church in Leicester in 1737 ; 
the church in Sturbridge in 1749; the church in Royalstou (West) in 1768; 
the church at Still River, in Harvard, in 1776 ; and the church in Tcmpleton 
iu 1782. These were all composed of a few members, and connected with 
small congregations. There were a few scattered members of Baptist churches 
before the county was formed, but they were not in an organized state, except 
perhaps in the town of Uxbridge. No Methodist churches existed iu the 
county, and it is doubtful if Methodist preaching was heard here much before 
the end of the century. There were a few societies of Friends or Quakers in 
the county, and possibly scattered meetings of other denominations or per- 
suasions, but no statistics have been found. 

The ratio of the members of the churches to the whole population of the 
county may be approximately estimated. The census of 1776 showed that the 
population of the county was forty-six thousand four hundred and thirty-seven. 
In 1790, it amounted to fifty-six thousand eight hundred and seven, giving an 
increase of ten thousand three hundred and seventy. From 1776 to 1790 was 
fourteen years. The year 1783 was half way between ; we may therefore 
allow that there was an increase of about five thousand people between 1776 
and 1783. This would give a population at the latter date of fifty-one thousand 
four hundred and thirty-seven. The number of meml)ers of the forty-seven 
Congregational churches at that time probably would not exceed, on the aver- 
a"-e, one hundred and fifty, or nearly one member to seven and one-half of the 
total population. 

For the sake of convenience, the period from 1783 to 1879 will be divided 



CHURCH STATISTICS. 157 

into three generations of thirty-two years each, and we will ascertain the 
increase of the population and of (lie chm-ches in three divisions. 

The first division or generation would bring us down to the year 181.J. In 
that year, the population of the county was not far from si.\ty-nine thousand, 
or an increase of seventeen thousand four hundred and seventy-three between 
1783 and 1815. In the meantime, the number of new Congregational churches 
formed was four, one in each of the following towns ; viz., Phillipston in 1785 ; 
Gardner in 1786; West Boylston in 179G ; and Southbridge in 1801. The 
new Baptist churches in this division were seven, as follows : The church in 
Sutton, formed in 1785 ; in Grafton in 1800 ; Holden in 1806 ; Athol in 1813 ; 
Worcester First in 1813 ; Webster in 1814 ; and Westborough in 1814. By 
this time, there were several Methodist churches in the county, but the num- 
ber is not given in the Minutes of the Conference. 

Thirty-two years added to 1815, brings us to 1848. The population at the 
beginning of this division was, say sixty-nine thousand. In 1847, it was not 
far from one hundred and twenty thousand. The increase was, in round 
numl)ers, tift3^-one thousand, or about seventy-three per cent. In 1847, the 
membership of the Orthodox churches in the county was eleven thousand one 
hundred and four, belonging to sixty-six churches, and averaging one hundred 
and seventy to each church. The number of Baptist church-members in the 
county in the year 1847 was four thousand eight hundred and thirty-one. 
The communicants in the Methodist and the Episcopal churches in 1847 
probably reached to the number of four thousand. This was the period in 
which the former denomination made great progress, and the latter began to 
be an appreciable element in our religious history. The number of communi- 
cants in Unitarian churches was considerable, as well as in the recently-organ- 
ized Universalist churches ; but, for some years, the statistics of membership 
have not been published. But, taking the number of the three denominations 
above mentioned, we find nineteen thousand one hundred and twenty-five. This 
would give a little less than one member to every six of the whole population, 
or, omitting children under fifteen years, as few below that number are enrolled 
as church-members, about one in four, or twenty-five per cent. 

Adding thirty-two years to 1847, and we have 1879, the present year. The 
population of the county in 1847 was called one hundred and twenty thousand 
in round numbers. The population now amounts to about two hundred and 
twenty thousand, or an increase of one hundred thousand, or something like 
eighty-two per cent. Let us now sum up the membership of the churches, so 
far as possible, in this year of grace 1879. According to the Minutes of the 
Orthodox Congregationalists, their number in 1879 is thirteen thousand three 
hundred and eighty-two. The Baptists numbered five thousand one hundred 
and nine. The Methodists were four thousand one hundred and fifty-three, 
and the Episcopalians nine hundred and twenty-three. Total, twenty-three 



158 COUNTY HISTORY. 



thousand five luindicil and sixtj'-scTcn. That is, the mcmlfcrship of these 
churches gives about one member to every nine inhabitants; or, deductin"' 
those under fifteen, one in every seven and a fraction. To these are to be 
added Quakers or Friends, Adventists, Cliristian Disciples, Unitarians and 
Universalists, if the number could be ascertained, who arc classed among 
communicants. The number of Unitarian societies is twenty-seven; some of 
which are large. The Universalists arc less in numl)er, but quite numerous. 
The Adventists of diflcrent varieties are to be found in almost all parts of the 
count}', though their church organizations arc not generally numerous or large. 
The result shows that the Evangelical churches, so called, have not increased 
in the last thirty-two years in the same ratio as the total population. If to 
them should be added the probable number of four thousand belonging to 
other denominations, the whole number would be, of communicants in the 
county, about tweuty-seven thousand five hundred. 

But here comes in another clement which modifies the result. The number 
of foreign-born persons in the county in 1875 was forty-nine thousand nine 
hundred and ninety-seven. As this class of our population has been coming 
in during the last forty or fifty yeai's, the number of children of foreign-born 
parents is very large. The mass of this division of the population is Catholic, 
from Ireland and Canada. Their children arc trained in the same faith. In 
some towns, the children born here arc more numerous than their parents who 
are foreign born. But we will suppose that the children born here arc but 
half the number of their foreign-born parents. This would make a total of 
about seventj^-five thousand of foreign birth or blood. Five-sixths of these, 
born in Ireland, Canada, Germany and other countries, with their children, 
are in the Catholic conmiunion. The total number is about sixty-three thou- 
sand. Looking into the "Catholic Directory," we find the Catholic population 
of the diocese of Springfield estimated at one hundred and fifty thousand. The 
■whole population of the five western counties which constitute the diocese 
was, in 1875, four hundred and fifty-one thousand and a fraction. Two hun- 
dred and ten thousand of this number were in Worcester County. If the 
Catholic population is equally divided among the counties in proportion to the 
whole population, the number of Catholics in the county would be nearly 
seventy thousand. The probable number is somewhere between sixty-three 
and seventy thousand ; say sixt3^-cight thousand. Taking this number from 
the total population in 1875 would leave one hundred and forty-two thousand. 
On this basis, the Protestant churches have gained quite a large percentage on 
the Protestant population during the last generation, — the thirt^'-two years 
now closing. 

It will be convenient to have the statistics of the churches as they arc at this 
date in a form convenient for reference and comparison. Thc}^ will be arranged 
in the order of their date, as established in this county, witli the number uf 



ADVENT DOCTRINES. 159 



members or communicants, so for as can be ascertained from documents or 

records. 

Congrcgationalists (Orthodox), churches, . . 77. Members, 13,382 

Congregationalists (Unitarian), societies, . . 27. " 

Baptists, churches, ...... 3.5. " 5,109 

Methodists, churches, 37. " 4,153 

Episcopal, 11. " 923 

Catholics, churches, ...... 44. 

Besides these may bo enumerated the following, of which no numerical 
statement is at present available. Their numl)cr is very considerable, and in 
some towns one or another will be found to have especial prominence. They 
arc the Swedenborgians, Advenlists, Seventh-Day Adventists, Disciples or 
Cami)bellites, and Friends or Quakers. Statistics of some of them may be 
extant, but hardly of all. 

Before leaving the religious history of the county, two points claim some 
attention : One relates to church government, and the other to Christian 
doctrine. It is alleged that great changes have occurred, especially in the 
denominations which were first planted in the county, — changes in polity and 
faith. What, then, are tlie changes that have taken place? 

In regard to some of the more recent religious bodies, there is not much to 
be said. The doctrine of the Second Advent has undergone several modifica- 
tions since 1843, when Mr. Miller roused the public mind to consider the 
speedy coming of Christ to judge the world, destroy the wicked, and establish 
his religion on earth. Some still attempt to fix the time of his coming, not- 
withstanding repeated failures. Others believe in the speedy second coming, 
but do not attempt to foretell the time except I)y way of approximation. There 
are also quite a number of Prc-Milleuarians in the county, belonging to 
various denominations, who see no occasion for forming a new sect, as their 
views in relation to the cardinal doctrines of the Bible are unchanged. Per- 
haps this form of belief is more rife in the Episcopal than the other denomi- 
nations. The Seventh-Day Adventists join to their views respecting the 
Second Coming, the dogma that the Jewish Sabbath is still obligatory in 
regard to time, if not in strictness of observance. Nearly all Adventists, 
of whatever variety, are Baptists, and practise the immersion of believers, only 
not administering the ordinance to children. 

In matters of doctrine, they were originally orthodox in the general sense 
of the term ; but of late years they have, to a great extent, adopted the doc- 
trine of the annihilation of the wicked who die in their sins; or, more correctly 
speaking, they hold that man is not immortal by nature and creation, but that 
immortality is a gift of divine grace. Christ confers immortality on those who 
believe and are renewed in heart, and those who reject salv.ation through 
Christ, at some time, not remote, cease to exist. This section of the Advent- 
ists believe in the sleep of death ; or, in other words, that, at the death of the 



160 COUXTY HISTORY. 



body, the soul becomes unconscious, aud remains so until the resurrection, 
■wlien all shall be called to judgment. The righteous will then enter upon the 
eternal and blessed life, and the unrepentant will end in non-existence. The 
polity of some sections of the Adventist persuasion is a modification of the 
Methodist Episcopal s^'stcm. They have a system which is without bishops, 
even in name, with much Congregational freedom; but it is compact and 
efficient. To what it will grow, remains to be seen. The members, as a 
class, arc industrious, moral, bound closel}-^ to each other, strict in the observ- 
ance of the Sabbath and the ordinances of the gospel, and apparently devout. 

The Disciples, or " Campbollites," as they are often styled, arc quasi-independ- 
ent in their organization, though the ministry have great influence, not to say 
power. This people, who arc numerous in the Central-Western States, though 
few within this county, arc strong Calvinists in many i)oints of doctrine, modi- 
fied by a modern view of the freedom of the will. J\Ir. Campbell, who origi- 
nated this variety of religionists, was a man of powerful mind, with a logical 
cast, and he stamped his image on the whole denomination. It has experi- 
enced no great change since his day. 15ut as the churches are composed, to a 
considerable extent, of those who have come out of other churches, as Baptist, 
jMethodist, Presbyterian and others, there is a variation in tone and manner, in 
different places, according to the proportion of the ingredients of the new amal- 
gam. For example, a church made up of converts from the Method istis, though 
receiving the Disciple doctrines and politj*, will l)o more lively and animated in 
their meetings for worship than one composed of original Baptists. But time 
is removing these differences. This body of Christians exalt the mode of bap- 
tism by immersion so higlily as to make it a condition of membership, though 
they admit others to the Lord's table if they come into their asscml)lics. 

The government or polity of the Univcrsalist body is essentiall}^ Congrega- 
tional. All power is in the brotlierhood. The minister is a member, with no 
authority. His pastoral office gives him influence, and he is ex-ofjicio modera- 
tor of the meetings of the church, unless some one is speciall}' appointed. As 
to doctrine, there has been considerable change since it was first preached in 
this country. At first, the ministers taught the immediate happiness of all at 
death. It was universal salvation without delay. If there was any vai-iation 
from this statement, it was merely an admission that the highest state of 
blessedness would not be entered upon until the Judgment. Dr. Huntington 
of Coventry, Conn., the first native Univcrsalist of note, was an Ortiiodox Con- 
gregational clergyman, and held all the doctrines of his denominalion, except 
in relation to the final condition of mankind. He believed in the need of an 
at(jnement by Jesus Christ, of the necessity of regeneration by the Holy Spirit, 
and the duty to live a godly life ; but he held that through the mediation of 
Christ all these blessings would be secured to all the race. Universalists at 
the present day imite in holding that none will be irreclaimably and forever 
lost. But between this view and that of Dr. Huntington there are many 



UNITARIAN VIEWS. Ifil 



shades of doctrine. Some discard tho doctrine and the fact of atonement on 
the ground that mankind do not need a lledeemer. All will be punished 
according to their deserts, be led to holiness, it may be by discipline, and so 
made happy. On this system there is no place for grace, though much for 
benevolence in tho divine scheme of moral government. Others exalt Christ 
to u very high position in the scale of lieing, and connect the salvation of man 
closely with his character, his teachings, and even his sufTei'ing. There has 
been ver}'' noticeable within a few years, an elevation of tone, both in regard 
to morality and spirituality, in this body of Christian believers. There seems 
to be a growing reverence for the Cible as a book of authority, and a higher 
appreciation of whatever leads to a devotional life. The progress of Biblical 
criticism and philosophical thought must have its work among this class of our 
population as well as among all their co-religionists. The churc:hes of this 
denomination have not become numerous, but they claim, and probably not 
without reason, that their views are held b}' many who have not joined their 
organisation. 

It is the claim of the Unitarians, and the claim is just, that, while hold- 
ing to the body of Christian truth, they arc not shackled by creeds, or liturgy, 
or ritual, or forms. Thus they enjoy great freedom in regard to church polity 
and Biblical doctrine. In the matter of government, they have made no essen- 
tial departure from the Congregational form in which they had their origin. 
The church is independent of all other churches, and of all ministers, priests or 
bishops ; j^et they adhere to the custom of calling councils to advise and assist in 
the ordaining and installing of ministers. The business pertaining to the sup- 
poi't of public worship is confined, for the most part, to the parish or society. 
In some towns the word church has gone into desuetude and society has taken 
its place. All are invited to the Lord's table who feel it a privilege, without 
examination, or the form of admission to the church. This change indicates 
a change in belief, to some extent, since the older churches of the denomina- 
tion had a covenant which expressed or implied a distinct belief in certain 
great, fundamental facts of the Chiistian system. There is, confessedly, great 
variety of opinion in the Unitarian l^mly. All agree in rejecting the doctrine 
of Christ's supreme divinit}- ; and all, or nearly all, reject the doctrine of 
atonement in all its forms. In this they differ from the early Unitarians in the 
count}', Avho certainly held to the atonement, and to the satisfaction made to 
Divine justice by the sufferings of Christ. Time was when all believed in the 
necessity of regeneration, in the strict sense of the word, by the Holy Spirit, 
either as a manifestation of God, like the Sabellians, or by a Divine influence 
directly from the Father. In the old sermons, the doctrine of future eternal 
suflcring for sin is presented as a motive for repentance and a holy life, not 
merely as an appeal to fear, but because penalty was considered as a measure 
of the Divine hatred of sin and love of holiness. But these points need not 
be dwelt upon, since it is a characteristic of the Unitarian body to admit the 



1G2 COUNTY fflSTORY. 



utmost latitude of belief and expression within certain limits. Exoluding the 
divinity of Christ on the one hand, and the denial of revealed religion on 
the other, the ba.sis is laid for a kind of denominational union, in which a large 
majority of those who bear the Unitarian name or have Unitarian proclivities 
can do much good work in harmonj'. 

It would be a vaiu thing to talk of change in the Catholic Church, whether 
in this country or in any other part of the world, in the ordinary understand- 
ing of the word change. The government of that Church is ultimately in the 
hands of the Pope, for the time being, who is himself governed l)y a sy.stem 
older than any existing European government. The great doctrines of the 
Christian system, as settled by early councils, arc held by all Catholics, in all 
parts of the world. Yet as the polity grew into shape in the lapse of centu- 
ries, so it is modified in its working by the people who receive it, or npon 
whom it is imposed. The priesthood has a tremendous power in the sacra- 
ments. An order of men who can withhold baptism, and refuse to perform 
the marria"-e rite, and let a man die without extreme unction, and then forbid 
the burial of his body in consecrated ground, has a powerful hold on all who 
believe in his priestly functions. But in a land where a man can sutler no civil 
or political disabilities on account of his religious belief or connection, and 
where intelligence abounds, and thought is free, it is not the same as in a 
land where all the opposite conditions prevail. The man, as ho grows, compels 
the relaxation of his bonds ; and the influence of his religious teachers, or supe- 
riors, is adjusted to his elevated character. And yet the theory of the govern- 
ment may not be altered one iota. As in a well regulated family, there is one 
o-eneral code for all the children, yet as they grow in age and discretion the 
elder part learn to administer the law for themselves ; so any church system 
made for the ignorant, uncivilized or weak, and necessarily minute and strin- 
gent, is modified as the people learu self-government, though its theory 
remains unchanged. In this way the Catholic administration cannot fail to 
be modified, in many particulars, in such a country as this ; and it can adjust 
itself to such a change without lessening the proper influence of its priesthood, 
and can, at the same time, become more beneficent in its action. 

And as to doctrines, every student (;f church history knows that there have 
been divisions in the bosom of the Catholic Church. These may not have 
touched the substance of doctrine or truth, but the different systems of phil- 
osophy, held by the parties to these conflicts, have modified the doctrines in a 
practical sense. But there is another ground for difference, and for individual 
progress under the system, even if the system is as changeless as the laws of 
the Medes and Persians. It is a fact, that in the Catholic system of doctrine 
will be fouud every great doctrine held by Evangelical Christendom. The doc- 
trine of one only living and true God is held by l)oth parties. The doctrine 
of the Trinity, or God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, as 
one God, is held by them in common. They use the same language to express 



EPISCOPALIANISM. la 



the inexplicable l)iit clearly revealed fact. Tlie natural sinfulness of man ; the 
consequent condemnation of man as a sinner ; the necessity of a chiinijo of 
heart, expressed by the word of our Saviour, regeneration ; the absolute need 
of a Redeemer to deliver a sinner from the penalty of the law of God ; and 
the conditions of pardon, even "repentance towards God, and faith in our 
Lord Jesus Christ," are primal doctrines in the creed of Catholic and Evangel- 
ical Protestant alike. And so of other Christian truths. But here comes in 
the fiiet, that the Catholic system holds several great truths in connection with 
views that to others seem erroneous. Salvation is by faith in Christ. So 
say the Protestant and the Catholic, and use the same language of Paul as 
the basis of their belief. But the Protestant says that salvation is " not of 
works, lest auy man should boast"; on the other hand, the Catholic teaches 
that salvation is of works, because James asserts " that faith without works is 
dead." Yet it does not seem difficult to harmonize both views when we con- 
sider faith as the principle of action, and the fact that a faith that docs not 
inspire and secure works is spurious. Repentance is accompanied by penance, 
which to an ignorant mind may seem a substitute. In fact, it is natural for one 
who is impressed with a sense of his sinfulness to subject himself to sufl'ering 
as a sort of expiation. The danger is that he will put his own self-intlictions 
in the jilacc of the voluntary endurance of stripes in his behalf, and thus trust 
in his own works and merits instead of the merits of his Lord and Saviour. 
However this may be, it is evident that here is occasion for dillercnt views as 
to the ground and the conditions of salvation. Is it not possible that the prog- 
ress of knowledge will produce unanimity of belief in the fact that Christ 
alone can save, and the other fiict that only the faith which leads a man to 
keep the commandments is scriptural? In the meantime we may take conrfort 
from the assurance that tlie Catholic churches in our county are a civilizing 
and Christian force, operating with energy in connection with our schools, 
industries and political life, in uplifting a large element of our population. 

The Episcopal Church, like the Catholic, has not been established in the 
county long enough to have made much local history for itself. Certainly it 
has undergone no changes, except that of growth. As a polity, Episcopacy is 
prclatical, and the entrance to the church is controlled by the prelate ; but in 
this country the worshippers have a considerable influence in the management 
of the secularities of the church. Free from the incumbrance of state cou- 
uection, the Episcopal Church in the United States has a great advantnge over 
the National Church of Engluid in many respects, and has, without doubt, a 
beneficent mission to perform in Christianizing our heterogeneous population. 
As to doctrine, its articles are approved by Calvinists ; its liturgy, in actual work- 
ing, is elastic, partly satisfying the ritualists, but capal)le of l)eing used by the 
devout clergyman who exalts spirit and life above form and ceremony. 

The ilethodists are a growing people in more senses than one. They have 
had a remarkable increase, not only in the newly-settled parts of the land 



1G4 COUNTY HISTORY. 



and in the South, l)iit also in the very heart of New England, and of our 
Commonwealth. But there is another thing in connection with the ^Tothodists 
still more remarkable, and that is the wonderful energy with which tliey have 
worked their own educational institutions, or availed themselves of existing 
schools for the training of their ministry, the higher education of their youth, 
and the elevation of the masses. Wei^ley was an educated, scholarly man ; l)ut 
the mass of Methodist preachers in this country were "ignorant and unlearned 
men." Such were the pioneers here. They had sense and piety, but were 
uncultured. Now they take rank with the most cultivated of our clergy in 
"cncral, and in theological training, and their sermons are composed with as 
much care, and delivered with as much regard to the proprieties of the pulpit, 
as those of any religious teachers among us. 

Tlie ]\Icthodist polity, whether formally changed or not, has been greatly 
modified in its working. Wiien the denomination began to grow, the people 
were necessarily led l)y their ministers, as is always the case wilh the less- 
informed and comparatively poor. As the people become educated and rise in 
the scale of living, and surround themselves with the means of independence, 
they will naturally assume the management of their own affairs. Hence the 
gradual lengthening of the pastorate in the Northern Slates; hence the 
admission of laymen into the Conferences. The multiplication of schools, 
colleges and seminaries also brings the laity into clos«! connection with the 
clerfTy in the management of institutions of the highest importance. There is 
little danger that their bishops will ever assume prelatical functions. The 
tendency of our institutions is rather to make them efficient superintendents, 
and in that way to give imity and vigor to the denomination. 

As to theology, the ministry are close students of the Bible, and have a 
f rowing tendency towards the study of mental philosophy. Soundness in the 
faith is the natural result. The ultimate of such a course must be the harmony 
of God's unvarying law with the freedom of the human will. Both will be 
held in their fullness., and neither will be sacrificed to the other. 

When the I'.aplists first came into notice in England they were Independents ; 
a branch of that great party which wrought a reform in religion, and turned an 
almost absolute kingdom into a commonwealth. In them was the very "dissi- 
dence of dissent." The leader of them in this country had too much individu- 
ality to work happily with any church or community, except as they fell in 
with his ways of thinking and acting. But lloger Vv'illiams had one of tlie 
sweetest spirits that ever wrought with a busy brain or an unbending will. 
The Baptists in this county have ever been unyielding friends of civil and 
religious liberty. Their church polity is as near Independency as is compatible^ 
with the fcll;)wship of other churches. They are united as a denomination 
by unison in belief and spirit rather than by any ecclesiastical bonds. While 
each chnreh resists interference and repels oversight, it desires sympatliy and 
seeks the fellowship of other churches. 



RELIGIOUS PROGRESS. 1C5 



In regard to doctrine, there is no essential, and scarcely any non-essential 
difference between them and those of other names who receive the articles of 
the Episcopal Chnrch, or adopt the Assembly's Catechism. John Bunyan has 
been a blessing to millions of different names ; bnt a special blessing to the 
Baptists, in this regard, that his mind, as expressed in his chief work, was clear 
in its philosophy of religion. In his innnortal dnnim the theology is only 
less wonderful than the poetry and imagination. He exalted God upon the 
throne, but was a deadly foe to fatalism. This last heresy infected the theology 
of some of the leading minds of the denomination in the seventeenth and 
eighteenth centuries, but the " Pilgrim's Progress " was always in the via media, 
and conducted its students to heaven. 

It is singular that the two soundest heads, in their time, were two poets, — 
Milton and Bunyan. What one was to the Congrcgationalists the other was to 
the Baptists. But neither could be confined to a sect, and both are for all 
time, citizens of the world. In their attempts to reconcile the decrees of God 
and the freedom of the human will, they anticipated the most enlightened 
philosophers of modern times. Their themes, their thoughts, their ftuicy and 
their style, unite to make them teachers, not of one country and one period, 
but of all periods and all nations. 

When the supralapsarians became influential among the Baptist clergy, in 
the last century, the dream of Bunyan kept the people free from its entangle- 
ments, and aided the younger ministry to come to a better understanding of 
the ways of God. Andrew Fuller and John Foster were brought up to believe 
ill the most intense form of fatalism that was consistent with any sense of duty. 
Robei-t Hall, the prince of modern preachers, felt the-same influence in his 
early days. Hall and Fuller, under the lead of the New England divines, and 
especially of Pres. Edw^ards, burst the fetters that prevented them from urging 
duty upon all, and making the fullest offers of salvation to all, while Foster 
remained a prisoner all his days. 

The Baptists in the Colonies, and in this county as well, partook of the 
opinions and the conflicts of their brethren in England. There can be no 
doubt that the luminous writings of Fuller and the transcendent eloquence of 
Hall have had a beneficial effect upon every respectable Baptist clergyman who 
has preached among us during the last half century. In like manner the 
missionary enterprise started by Carey and Jlarshman has exerted a 
modifying influence upon them, and upon all Protestant Christendom. But in 
regard to the great fundamental truths of the Christian religion, the Baptists in 
this county have known uo change but what comes from the clearer under- 
standing of the doctrines which their fathers held, and the stronger zeal they 
cherish to carry these saving truths to the ends of the earth. 

The Congrcgationalists have lived the longest, and wrought the most history 
on this soil. They were the first of white men in the county, and they laid 
the foundations of all our civil, religious and educational institutions. The 



1C6 COUXTY HISTORY. 



question arises whether their history as a denoniiiiation has been merely au 
expansion of numliers, or a eliangc in pohty and faith. The answer is, "Xo," 
and "Yes," .Substantially, they arc to-day what they, as a branch of the 
church universal, were two hundred and fifty years ago. In uou-essential 
points they have experienced some variations. What arc they? 

First, in regard to polity. Thei-c has been no change in the government of 
the churches since this county was settled, and coming hither did not affect 
the independence of any church in its relation to other churches. The Congre- 
gational theory is that each church is an independent bod}-, and when fully 
organized by the adoption of a covenant, and the choice of officers, is qualified 
to conduct its own affairs without the supei-vision or interference of any power 
in Church or State. But Congregationalism, in distinction from pure Inde- 
pendency, always included the fellowship of other churches. It called councils 
to aid in ordaining and installing ministers. In cases of difficulty in the 
administration of discipline, it called in the aid of sister churches, and asked 
their advice, but always with the understanding, unless expressed to the 
contrary in the Letters Missive, that the "Result of Council" would not 
be l)inding unless approved by the i^arties concerned. It also sanctions and 
approves of general councils, of conferences, and associations for mutual 
benefit. This makes it necessary for each church to continue in the faith and 
the ordinances and the polity of the order, so long as it values and wishes to 
enjoy fellowship. In this regard the polity of the Congregational l)ody is the 
same as it has always been in the State of Massachusetts and the county of 
Worcester. But in the internal government of the individual church there has 
been one important modification. In the early churches of jMassachusctts Bay 
some of the churches had two ministers, a pastor and a teacher. They had 
also a ruling elder, perhaps more than one, who aided the pastorate in the 
o-overning of the church and the administration of discipline. There grew up 
au idea that no act of the church was valid unless it had the sanction of the 
teaching and ruling elders. Before Worcester County was settled, the custom 
of having two ministers over a church, or a ruling elder, had been changed, 
not by any vote or associated action, but simply by disuse. But the notion 
still lingered in the minds of some of the clergy, that all the power or authority 
of pastors and ciders had passed into the hands of the single pastor. lie was 
the residual legatee of all clerical power rather than the elected jjastor and 
teacher of the church and congregation. 

It is a notable fact, which comes directly in our way when studying the 
history of Worcester County, that the contest over this question was carried on, 
in this county, unto the end. In how many cases the pastors claimed and 
asserted the veto power, cannot be now ascertained without consulting the 
records of every Congregational church established in the last century, or 
before ; but there were two or three cases which have been reported in print. 
As they all grew out of one origin, they may be treated together. And as 



THE BOLTON CASE. 1G7 



they mark ;i distinct but cvaiiL'scent pliasc in our history, they arc worthy of 
attention. 

The Church of Christ in IVilton was organized Nov. 4, 1741, and the 
Rev. Thomas Goss was ordained as the pastor on the same day. Thirty ycai's 
later ditlicnitics arose between him and his people. They brought charges 
against him, and a council was called, before Avhich both parties appeared. 
After a hearing, the council found a result in his favor. The people were not 
satisfied, and the controversy became more heated. The church, having found 
uo relief by appealing to the neighboring churches, took the matter into their 
own bauds, and dissolved the relation between their minister and themselves. 
This was contrary to Congregational usage, and left them by law under obliga- 
tion to support their minister; for as the law then was, and is now, a Congre- 
gational pastor had legal claim to support from his people until a council had 
dissolved the relation by consent of all parties, or by the conviction of the 
minister of unministerial conduct. Probably patience on the part of the Bolton 
church, and a steady persistence in the elTort to sever the relation between 
themselves and Mr. Goss would, in time, have secured an orderly dismission. 
But they asserted their independence. 

And now the trouble began to spread. The ministers considering this, as it 
was, an assumption of power not warranted by the polity of the churches, 
passed censure upon the Bolton church, and called on their churches to with- 
hold fellowship from the church in Bolton, and from the individual members. 
In these circumstances the people of Bolton made an appeal to the churches in 
the adjoining towns. Their method was singular, and out of order, but 
probably they acted in accordance Avith a plan prearranged with brethren in 
different places. In our day, if a church and parish had dismissed a minister 
irregularly, the remedy would be, on his part, to claim his dues, but there 
would be no effort to sustain him against the decision of his people in the 
pastoral office, and the church would proceed to call another man. Even then, 
if the council invited to settle him should deem the past action of the church 
irregular or wrong, the most they would do would be to express their opinion ; 
but would proceed to examine the candidate, sec if he had a regular call, and, 
ifsatisiicd, proceed to installation. Or the church might cut loose from its 
religious connection, and become independent. 

The church and parish took another way, and there is reason to believe, with 
a concerted purpose to break down the minister's assumed power to veto the 
action of the church. Six of the members of the chui-ch in Bolton went to 
Sterling on the day for the administration of the Lord's Supper, and presented 
themselves at the communion. The Kev. John Mellen, the minister of the 
church, declined to go on with the service while the brethren from Bolton I'e- 
mained. The question was put to vote, and the decision was that the visiting 
brethren should remain. This was thus made a test case. Mr. Mellen then 
asserted the right of the eldership, on the supposition that ruling ciders, or 



168 COUNTY HISTORY. 



the eklcrship, including the pastor, teacher and elder, had fornicrl}- claimed a 
separate but co-ordinate powvr in the government of the body, and declared 
his negative or veto upon the action of his church. They voted to admit the 
brethren to the ordinance of the Lord's Supper. The minister non-concurred, 
and not only vetoed their action, but refused to go on with the service, and 
thus deprived his own people of the ordinance for the time. In this action he 
put himself in the wrong by taking indefensible ground, and the result was an 
invincible determination on the part of his people not to submit. 

They had other causes of complaint against Mr. Jlellcn, but tliis was now 
seized upon, and was followed up until a separation was efi'ectcd. At the 
meeting above mentioned, the excitement rose to a high pitch. The lirethren 
insisted that the service should bo performed, and the visiting brethren be per- 
mitted to partake with them. The pastor, to avoid further confusion, sa\-s a 
writer who was familiar with the case, "withdrew from the mceting-liouse, 
leaving the sacred emblems of brotherly love, of peace, and of humility. The 
conmiuniou was now suspended, and the commotion grcath* increased." Tlie 
action just related took place on the first of November, 1772. 

In September, 1773, a council was called, and went into an investigation of 
the charges against Mr. Mclleu. These were under three heads, but we are 
only concerned with the first, that of "maladministration." Under th;it head 
he was charged with the abuse of power as moderator of the church. lie had 
"declined putting questions to vote when proposed; had neglected to call 
church meetings upon request ; had arbitrarily dismissed them when called." 
The whole was, however, gathered into this, as the main cause of all the diffi- 
culties, "namely, that he assumed the power of negativing or non-concurring 
the votes of the brethren." It is said that the council denied this right, and 
that ]\Ir. IMcllcn explained himself in a way that could not be objected to, 
though subsequently he did assert it in full. His idea of the relation of pas- 
tor, church and parish, was analogous to the constitution of the realm of Eng- 
land, in the concurrent action of king, lords and commons ; and he claimed 
that nothing could be done concerning their civil connection without a concur- 
rence of minister, church and parish. It is not needful to continue the narra- 
tive in cxtenso. The council, after hearing Mr. Mellcn, exonerated him from 
the charges. By a small majority the result of the council was rejected. Then 
council followed council, but they all resulted very much as the first. At 
length the church resorted to ultimate principles, held a meeting without the 
concurrence of their minister, and voted to dissolve the pastoral relation be- 
tween Mr Mellen and themselves. The parish concurred. ^Ir. ]\Icllen, of 
coui-se, resisted this action, and a council sustained him. In a question of 
damai^es also, the decision by the referees "vvas in his favor. But though he 
had many friends in the church and town, who clung to him as their religious 
teacher ten years longer, yet he ceased to be the pastor of the chiirch and par- 
ish. The veto power was dethroned in Sterling as well as in Bolton. 



MINISTERIAL VETO. 169 



Till' same contest was taken to Lancaster, wlici'c the mild and popular Ilar- 
rinirtoii was tirmly cstal)lislied in the allections of his people. He \.as favored 
with a united parish, and with wise men to guide. When the brethren from 
Bolton wrote to inquire if they "would be permitted to hold communion in 
special ordinances," or, in other words, -would be recognized as members of a 
Congregational church, in good and regular standing, the matter was consid- 
ered in church meeting, and then laid over for about a fortnight. AV'hen the 
adjourned meeting was held the question was put in this form l)y some wise 
head : " whether the church be so far in charity with the brethren of Bolton, 
whose letter is before them, as to be williug to receive them to communion 
with them in special ordinances occasionally." The vote was in the affirmative. 
Gently the church in Lancaster put aside the veto power. Mr. Harrington 
non-concurred with the church, and added the following note and statement to 
the record, which vote was nou-coucurred by the pastor, as follows : " Brethren, 
I think myself bound in duty to God, to the Congregational church in general, 
and to this church in particular, and to my own conscience, to declare, which I 
now do, before you, that I cannot concur in this vote. This vote shall be re- 
corded, but my vote must be recorded with it." So far he was on safe ground, 
as a minister has a right to non-concur, and make a record of it. But he goes 
on as follows : "And as the brethren from Bolton now see your charitable sen- 
timents towards them, I hope they will be so far satisfied. But as the church 
act in their favor is not perfected, I hope they will not offer themselves to 
communion with us till their society is in a more regular state." Here comes 
the assertion of the veto power in the words : "The church act in their favor 
is not perfected." There is no record that the matter was ever put to the test. 
Probably the Bolton brethren were not encouraged to come in person, and 
make the claim. The church in Lancaster enjoyed their minister, and wanted 
no pretext to rid themselves of his services and presence. But they had taken 
ground against the action of the Bolton council, and if pi'cssed to act upon the 
main question, would, doubtless, have rejected and defied the veto power of 
the clergy. These transactions took place in 1772-3, when the people were 
preparing for the Eevolution, and were full of the spirit of liberty, civil and 
religious. In that great movement, nearly all the ministers in the county 
joined most heartily ; in many cases they took the lead. But in relation to 
the power of non-concurrence in ecclesiastical matters, they did not see the 
matter in the same light as their people viewed it. However, the veto power 
of the clergy had received a mortal blow. ' The claim had arisen from a con- 
fusion of ideas. In the state, where there is a governor or president, a house 
of delegates and a senate, it is necessary that each should have the power of 
non-concurrence ; otherwise it would be annihilated by the concurrence of the 
other two. The people who are the source of power, lodge a portion of it in 
the three departments. But in a church there is no delegation of power to 
any one. The people who, under Christ, are supreme, choose their minister; 



170 COUNTY HISTORY. 



he has certain rights ; thoy are under certain obligations ; but he is not a 
department of government, and the idea of his vetoing tlieir action is au 
absurdity. In this respect there has been a change in the administration of the 
Congregational churches, and it has been beneficial to both church and clergy. 

Passing from this point, and coming to that of faith or the substance of doc- 
trine, it is often asserted that there has been a wide departure from the 
standard of the fathers. This statement is made not only with reference to 
the churches or societies which are avowedly Unitarian, but in relation to those 
which retain the ancient name and the ci'ecds and platforms of former times. 
But the candid student of their history will be slow to accept this conclusion. 
He will most probably find that the same stability which characterizes the 
other denominations of Christians, pertains especially to the Orthodox Con- 
gregational churches. There are individual changes. Occasionally a minister, 
as is the case in all other bodies, takes his leave, and joins those with whom he has 
come to agree ; but these cases are few : and the change of a Avhole church, or 
a majority of it, is a very rare occurrence. But the claim is, that while the 
creed remains the same in the records of the church, the ministry and the 
people have come to discard the old doctrines, and to hold new views entirel}' 
hostile to them. Again the reply is, that those who make such an assertion Avill 
find it difEcult to bring the proof. It will be found, on inquiry, probably, that 
these churches now hold all the main points of doctrine which were held by 
those who set up the first churches in the county. If there has been any 
change, the doctrines are now held more intelligently, and clung to with a 
tighter grasp than ever before. This is not the ^jlace to enter into a disquisi- 
tion on the suljject of Christian doctrine; but speaking historically, it is per- 
tinent to say that a perusal of the creeds and covenants of these churches, and 
of the writings of their accredited authors and editors, in the past and the 
present time, and some familiarity with their modes of acting and ways of 
speaking, and tone of sentiment, will concur in producing the conviction of a 
substantial unity of faith and principle, and spirit of Christian living, between 
the members of these churches now on the stage, and those who have gone 
before them. 

It would be easy to show the origin of the mistake on this subject. And the 
mistake or misrepresentation is made with reference to Baptists, Episcopalians 
and Methodists, just as much as the Congregationalists. The fact is, that the 
mental philosophy of former generations did not recognize the full and perfect 
freedom of the human will. This is the achievement of modern thinkers, many 
of whom are Christian theologians. • The fatalism of the ancient, and of the 
middle ages possessed the scholars of all c'rvilized countries, to a great extent, 
and though the unhackneyed mind of the race always asserted its freedom, 
the logicians and scholars were held by the iron chain of the Stoics. It was 
feared by devout theologians that the assertion of the "power of contrary 
choice," would undermine the authority' of God. On the other hand, good 



FEEE WILL. 171 



men were so firm in asserting tlic freedom of the will that they denied, not 
only the doctrine of decrees, but limited the foreknowledge of God, lest that 
should preclude the freedom which is essential to a moral heing. The solution 
is supposed to be found in (he postulate that the entire freedom of the human 
will was embraced in the Divine plan of government over men and angels, 
"•ood and bad, and that all contingencies were provided for and included in the 
plan, so that man is free, and yet the eternal phui of God will not fail in any 
one thing, even the minutest. 

This being received, the government of God over men is set free from all 
the objections and difficulties which beset the fatalistic schemes of theodicy. 
By this the responsibility and blame of all sin is fixed upon the transgressor. 
The penalty of sin, in the case of any one, is exactly adjusted to his degree of 
guilt, and his guilt by the amount of light he enjoyed, by his surroundings, his 
training, his temptations, and his capacity to choose the good and resist the 
evil. By this philosophy, every moral being is supposed to be fully endowed 
with the power to keep the law of God ; to repent of his sin when he has 
broken the law, and to accept of pardon and spiritual healing on the terms iu 
which they are offered in the gospel of Christ. Therefore, if any one is sub- 
jected to loss, or suffering, or the degradation of guilt, here or hereafter, the 
blame is on himself. The only fatal impediment to his recovery in this life or 
while a probationer, is his own unwillingness to turn from the evil and choose 
the ""ood, to cease from being governed by the law of selfishness, aud with all 
his heart, surrendering himself to the law of love. On this ground it is claimed 
that every one of the old doctrines held by the Congregationalist or other 
churches iu times past, can be held, and is held now, in entire harmony with 
the most enlightened philosophy of the mind, and in such a sense as to reflect 
peculiar honor upon God as the moral govei-uor of the universe. This state- 
ment is not made in the interest of any sect or denomination, but as a part of 
the mental history of a large portion of the people residing in the county. 

The question naturally arises, after reading this sketch of the religious his- 
tory of the county, whether the morals of the people have kept pace with the 
increase of the churches. Those who are ignorant of past evils, or forget 
them, and look only at the crimes against life and property, which are now so 
common, hastily conclude that society has been on the descending scale since 
the days of their youth. That has always been the case. In the day of Solo- 
mon, men said, "the former times were better than these"; but they were 
rebuked as not speaking wisely. But it is not strange that the readers of our 
papers, daily and weekly, who find in every issue a detail of horrors aud 
crimes, should be impressed with the conviction that crime and wickedness are 
on the increase. The past is faded from the memory ; the present is thrust 
upon the attention from day to day. 

But a careful scrutiny of fiicts will show that religion, as understood and 
practised among us, is conducive to morality. It is true that morality does 



172 COUNTY HISTORY. 



not prove that the moralist is governed by high religious i)riiKii)k', hut it is 
equally clear that auy amount and degree of what is called rciigiou, yet is not 
attended with morality as its fruit, is not only wortjjless, but positively per- 
nicious. 

Crimes are divided into various classes. Some are crimes against tlie mar- 
riage relation, which uudcrmiue and corrupt society, and destroy all hap|)iness. 
Some arc crimes against the rights of property, and render all possessions 
insecure. Some are crimes of appetite, and are exceedingly debusing in their 
influence. Some are crimes of passion and revenge, and perpetuate them- 
selves from generation to generation. Some are crimes of personal injury ; 
aud some are crimes against life itself, and by direct infliction of death, by 
means of poison or violence. 

In regard to the first, this m.iy be said, that in some forms it is far less 
apparent than in the last century, so far as this county is concerned. The 
records of the county prove a great change for the better. One who reads 
the old records is shocked at finding how often marriage rights preceded 
marriage rites, and how many first-born children were prevented from being 
children of shame !)}• the hasty marriage of their parents. It may be that sins 
against the seventh commandment arc as common now as they were then ; but 
if so, they arc more carefully concealed. But it will be found, on inquiry, that 
there is less impurity iu respectable families, and that the vicious, as si visible 
class only, are more numerous, being brought together in towns and cities. 
The moral filth is drained from the community at large, aud confined to sinks of 
corruption, leaving the tone of all respectable society more elevated and pure. 

That there is less intemperance now than formerly, our younger temper- 
ance reformers find it hard to believe ; yet those whoso memory extends 
backward fifty years, know to a certainty that there has been a great reforma- 
tion iu regard to the drinking habits of the people of all classes, n)ale and 
female. Intoxicating drinks were used by the first settlers of New England, 
though to a limited extent. Drunkenness was uncommon though it was not 
unknown. The facilities for making " fire-water" were not so great as they have 
since become. The leading families were religious, and exerted a strong 
influence, as well as authority, over their servants, dependents, and chiklreu. 
During the wars of the last century intemperance increased, aud in the Revo- 
lution rose to a fearful prevalence. From that time there was no abatement 
of the evil for half a century. Besides cider, which the orchards made 
almost free as water, the trade with the West Indies and France, brought 
Santa Cruz rum and French brandy. Then the people learned to distil their 
own fiery beverage from molasses and scum, and so produced great (luantities 
of New England rum. Later, say fifty and sixty years ago, the business of 
making cider-brandy became common in almost all our county towns. The 
apples went to the cider-mill ; the cider went to the distillery, and came out as 
brandy, cheaper than the French article, but as quick to intoxicate, and more 



LIQUOR AND CRIME. 173 



powerful to injure the health tliiiii the more costly article from France. How 
mtmy of those oUl distilleries stootl on our hill-sides, where I)arrels of cider 
could he rolled in on the upper side, and barrels of brandy could be rolled out 
on the lower side, and easily loaded into carts. 

The drinking kept up with the making of drink. Very little was exported. 
People drank when sick, and when well to prevent sickness. Many draidi to 
withstand cold, and to overcome the languor of heat. They drank to enliven 
themselves in pain and sadness, and also to heighteu their hilarity and revelry. 
They drank at funerals and at weddings, giving the children the sugar and 
drainings of the glass. When they met at huskings, at chopping-becs, at raisings, 
at launchings, at balls and at trainings, drinking was a matter of ordinary usage 
and civility. And thus they poured down what Robert Hall called " liquid death 
and distilled damnation " in a steady stream. 

The effects were ruinous in respect to property, health and morals. The 
traveler, in going through our towns, could see the effects of drinking, in the 
houses, barns and fences; and inquiry would show that farm after farm was 
mortgaged to the country trader, who supplied the farm with rum ; and when 
his unpaid bills accumulated, took security in a bit of paper, which soon led to 
foreclosure. And so many a family, living on a farm that had come down 
from father to sou through several generations, was driven from the ancestral 
home. 

The effects in regard to health need not be dwelt upon, as every one knows 
how the indulgence in intoxicating liquors is the fruitful cause of disease and 
death. More baleful still is the moral result. Intemperance is the great 
hindrance to religion. It is the deadly foe of morality. More than half the 
crimes that are brought before our courts are attributed to intemperance. 
In the days when drinking habits were worse than now, the results in crime 
were more frequent. Fightings, family quarrels, violence against wife and 
children ; these were the results of which rum was the cause. There is 
enough of intemperance now to fill the philanthropist with alarm, but the 
improvement over the past is fitted to inspire hope. 

But it will be said that there is more rioting and violence than in the days 
of the fathers. This is true ; but not among the sons of the fathers. This is 
imported violence, to a great extent. The Iri^h are given to drink, and when 
intoxicated are full of fight. The Italian and Frenchman commit crimes of 
passion and revenge. The Englishman is great on a bank robbery, and the 
opening of a safe which defies all the ingenuity of the burglar. The bad 
Yankee is equally sure for any kind of rascality, but makes nothing a 
specialty. Omitting the cases of crime that are brought before the grand jury 
of inquest, which are charged to those of foreign birth, and it will appear that 
the proportion of crime to the increase of native population has decreased. 
Then it should be noted that the robbery of great houses, banks and offices is 
a comparatively new crime among us, inasmuch as banks and treasure houses, 



174 COUXTY fflSTORY. 



and safety deposit companies are new institutions, unknown in the county a 
few decades ago. These robberies arc generally done by villains who live at a 
distance ; who lay Iheir plans in Boston or New York, or some other haunt of 
criminals, and when the time comes, make a raid on one of our quiet towns. 
They come in the night, and before men are awakened to their daily labors, 
the money, bonds and other securities arc gone. This sort of crime is, there- 
fore, not chargeable to any largo degree, to our own people, and ouglit not to 
be admitted in the inventory of our native wickedness. 

These suggestions apply, in nearly equal force, to crimes against life. There 
have been eighteen executions for cajjital crimes, in Worcester County, since 
courts of justice were first held. Ten of these were for murder; live were 
for burglary, and tliree for rape ; both of which were formerly capital 
crimes. Omitting these, which, with one exception, occurred in the last 
century, and confining our attention to the executions for murder, it appears 
that six of the ten executions occurred in the last ccutur}-, and four in the 
present. The first was in 1745, when one Jeffrey, a negro, was hanged for 
the murder of his mistress. The second execution was in connection with the 
celebrated Spooner case, the most atrocious murder in our annals, when Wil- 
liam Brooks, James Buchanan, Ezra Ross and Bathshcba Spooner wei-c exe- 
cuted for the murder of Joshua Spooner. In the sixth case, Samuel Frost 
suffered the penalty of the law for the murder of Elisha Allen. The other 
four cases occurred within the memory of the living. If executions now are 
as correct indications of crime as they were in former generations, the above 
facts show that there has been no increase of wilful homicides, but consider- 
ing the great increase of population, a largo relative decrease. Since the exe- 
cution of Frost in 1703, the last of the six murderers in the last century, the 
population of the county has increased more than fourfold. Every reader 
may draw his own conclusions. The sum of the matter is, that taking all the 
population, native and foreign born, the state of morality is higher now than 
it was preceding the groat religious and temperance reformation about 1825 
and the years following. The tendency is upward. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



BUSINESS IN WORCESTER COUNTY. 



TiiE first business was farming ; but the pioneers had need to understand 
that word in an enlarged meaning. It was to fell trees, and build log-cabins, 
and make roads, and lav rustic bridges across the small streams, in the very 
beginning of the settlement of the county. John Prcscott, who was perhaps 



EARLY BUSINESS. 175 



the first pcrmaueiit settler, M-as a hlaeksmifh as well as farmer, and lie also 
hastened to set up a saw-mill and a grist-mill for the accommodation of his 
neighbors as well as himself. In addition, he kept a store or "trucking 
house," to supply the settlers and the natives with needed arlieles that coidd 
not bo raised or obtained in the wilderness. Prescott's son Jonathan was .a 
blacksmith. Lawrence Waters had a division of land, but he was a carixniter 
as well as former. ISIillers, l)lacksmiths, carpenters and farmers were indis- 
pensable, and in many cases one man united two or more trades or callings. 

But taking a farmer, pure and simple, how much was implied in that word 
more than one hundred and fifty years from the time when the first cal)in was 
raised in the county ! The farmer raised all his cereals, and all kinds of animal 
food which he used. Corn, rye and often wheat were raised for his own family, 
with some to sell to other families that might be engaged in some mechanical 
trade. After the first mill was set a running, it is probable that but ti very 
small quantity of flour or meal was brought into the county. Oats and barley 
were raised for cattle and horses. Potatoes and other esculent roots were 
"•rown in abundance. It was not long before apples, pears, quinces, cherries 
and plums were raised to the full measure of the wants of the inhabitants. 
The woods and intervales abounded in nuts of the best varieties. In short, 
every kind of vegetable growth necessary for food, the farmer could raise on 
his own land. But this was not peculiar to the farmer of old times ; it can be 
done, and often is done now, oven to the raising of wheat. 

The peculiarity of the early times was that the farmer's fomily were inde- 
pendent of the outside world for clothing and animal food. No trains brought 
cattle and sheep from the West. No ships brought linen from Ireland. No 
vessels brought wool from California and Australia. Beef, pork, mutton, 
veal, lamb and poultry were supplied by the farmer's own land. Wild game 
was running or flying in the forests. The streams were full of fish, including 
the herring, the shad and the salmon. But he needed clothing ; and how did 
he meet that necessity? Wool grew on his sheep, and flax grew in his field. 
Woolen and linen goods constituted his clothing. It is true that the ambition 
of every farmer's wife was to have a silk dress, but she contrived to make this 
last a life-time. In like manner, cotton goods were used, but sparingly. 
Sheepskins and buckskins were dressed and made into trowsers, or breeches, 
as they were then called. They were often worn by elegant gentlemen. Furs 
were as common as numerous wild animals could make them. 

The wool was washed, sheared and brought to the house by the father and 
his sons. The women took the wool, and dyed it in the dye-pot standing in 
the corner of the fireplace, and answering the purpose of a seat. They carded 
the wool, spun it into thread, and Avove it into cloth. They had a primitive 
way of dressing the cloth. Though seamstresses or female tailors soon came 
into the line of work, yet it was one of the accomplishments of the housewife 
to be able to cut and make up the woolen cloths for herself and all her family. 



176 COUNTY mSTORY. 



The same was true of the flax. This was pulled, dried and swingled by the 
men, hut the women folk hatchelled, spun, wove and bleached until the white 
liuen was ready for under and outer garments, and for sheetings. The coarse 
tow was made into rough, l)ut strong clothes for boys and workmen. Stock- 
ings were made at homo, as v.erc fur and cloth caps and mittens. And if there 
was any other article of clothing needed except shoes, it could be made with- 
out calling in outside help. Besides all this, the farmer had straw and leathers 
for beds, and he could readily put together a frame or bedstead on which to 
sleep. 

Such, in part, was the condition of the former before the modern "division 
of labor" came in to restrict his independence, though to minister to his con- 
venience and luxury. Factories were nnknown. The age of fulling-mills 
and clothiers' shops had not come. The farm was a little kingdom in itself, 
and every man's house was indeed his castle. Some of the handicraft trades 
have been specified. In addition to those were the tanner, the shoemaker and 
the hatter, though hats were imported from England for a long period. The 
blacksmith, tiie carpenter, the tanner, the shoemaker, and all the rest worked 
for their immediate neighborhood, and not to sell their wares at a distance. 
Business, in the present sense of the word, was not known ; but, after the 
lapse of a generation or two and the growth of town centres, there was a 
demand and an opportunity for the beginning of business. "Wagon, cart, sleigh 
and carriage makers made their vehicles to order, and sometimes kept them 
on hand f<n- sale. The making of snow-shoes was a business at one period of 
our history. Then came in rake-makers, and makers of shovels and hoes ; 
but everything was done on a small scale. It was long before the large 
streams were raised bj' dams. Small streams were drawn on for water-power, 
because of the comparative safety. IMorc than a hundred years since, the 
AYilders (Joseph and Caleb) of Lancaster began to make pot and pearl 
ashes. There were nail-works on the Nashua, at Ponakin. Enterprising men 
in Worcester, ]\Iendon, Brookiield and other towns began to set np sliops and 
mills, and to do business on a larger scale than before. But there was little 
chance for manufacturing in the Colonies until after the Revolutionary AVar. 
Commerce flourished, and the fisheries employed a large number of sea-faring 
men. Boston, Salem, Gloucester, Beverly, IMarblehcad, Newburyport, 
Charlcstown, Plymouth, New Bedford, some of the Cape towns and Nan- 
tucket had, in tlic aggregate, a considerable tonnage ; but the inland towns had 
no corresponding means of growth in population or wealth. It was the policy 
of the British Government to keep down our manufactures. Even such a 
friend of the Colonies as the elder Pitt said that he would not have a hat or a 
hol)-nail made in the Colonies. The products of our fisheries, farnjs and mills, 
and the timber from our forests, might go to the West Indies, to Italy and to 
England, but the return must come back mainly in the products of English 
machinery. The Revolution was the era of industrial as well as of political 



WOOL AND COTTON. 177 

iiul('l)('iuli'iicL'. After that event, Ijiisiness was possihlo, ami soon (liHereiit kind-^ 
of business sprung np all over the North. In this awakening prosperity, 
Worcester County had its share. It felt the life and stir of the new order of 
things, and new enterprises were started in new as well as old centres of 
business. But there was one drawback to the increase of population. As in 
preceding generations, the opening of new towns had drawn oil' the surplus of 
people from the older settlements, so the llevolution was followed, for a series 
of years, by the shifting of population from Massachusetts to Vermont and 
the Genesee country in New York. rrol)ably, not a town in Worcester 
County escaped this cause of depiction. And the process went on, and new 
States were laid open for settlement for several lustrums in the present cen- 
tury. The tide of migration was not retarded until manufacturing on a large 
scale became the settled policy of our people. 

It is not known when the first fulling-mills were set up in the county, but 
there is evidence that they were in use far l)ack into tiie last century, and before 
quite a number of the towns were organized. The farmers' wives were unable 
to full their cloth to any great extent, l)y any appliances or contrivances at 
home. The fulling-mill was a necessity. Hence it came into existence in 
nearly every town. Then came the clothiers' shop, whore the fulled cloth was 
dressed by teazles and shears fixed upon cylinders. Attention also was paid 
to dyeing, and among the handsome colors common from sixty to eighty years 
ago were "snuff color" and " Lunuun (London) brown." The clothiers felt 
a pride in their business, and gave a good appearance to the cloth which was 
sent to them for dressing. 

About the same time cardiug-machincs, or mills, run by water, came into 
vogue, and thus a great saving of the hard work of women was effected. 
Loads of fleeces went from the farm-houses to the mills, and came back in hand- 
some rolls. But still the spinning and the weaving was done by mothers and 
daughters on the old-fashioned wheel and the hand-loom. This continued down 
to about 1825, or a few years later, when the policy of protection to our infant 
manufactures was begun. Then the carding-machines, the fulling-mills and 
the clothiers' shops were smitten as by a blast from heaven. Capitalists built 
larger mills and introduced machinery which superseded the work of carding, 
spinning and weaving at home, and all the business of the fuller and dresser. 
The wool w(Mit to the factory, clean or foul, and came out in fine broadcloth. 
Hundreds of men who had small mills up and down our streams, and who made 
a comfortable living from their business, were thrown out of employ. Their 
mills and shops were too small to be utilized as factories, their machinery was 
useless, and their water-wheels were left to decay beside the flumes through 
which the water ran to waste. For years they stood as sad monuments of a 
business gone to ruin. At the same time the domestic manufacture of linen 
came to an end by the introduction of cotton, which followed the invention of 
the cotton-gin, and the starting of cotton-mills. By this process, as the young 



178 COUNTY HISTORY. 



reader will easily see, the economy, or general life of the farm was revolution- 
ized. The farm and farm-house which were once the owner's realm, where 
he could raise or manufacture almost everything needed for comfortahlo sub- 
sistence in the way of shelter, clothing and food, except salt and spices, became 
dependent on the outside world for every article of clothing ; for much of the 
lumber used in building or repairing ; for all his sugar as well as his molasses ; 
for the greater part of his breadstuffs ; for nearly all his meat, whether beef, 
pork or mutton ; for his cheese, and in some cases for his butter. 

This seems a bad showing for the farmer, and the first thouglit would be that 
he is now in a reduced and pitiable condition. On the contrary, the means of 
obtaining a comfortable living, and sharing in the advantages of settled and 
cultivated society were never so great in tliis county as at present. In some 
towns the land, or a portion of it, is poorer, because the virgin soil is exhausted, 
and thriftless farming has not kept it in good condition. The wealth of the 
forest has been cut down, and land good for nothing, by reason of roi-ks and 
ledges, but tree-raising, has been left to the abrading force of sun and storm. 
But the influence of agricultural societies and publications has been eflcctive 
in improving the arable land of the county. During the present generation 
thousands of acres which were so full of stones and stumps that a mowing- 
machine could not be operated, are now prepared for i)lanting I)y a plow 
which would have filled our fathers with astonishment, and mowed, tcddcied, 
raked and loaded by macliines which dispense with the lal)or of three-quarters 
of the men once employed, leaving them to follow other usefid occupations. 
There is more skill in preparing the land, in procuring and a[)plyiug fertilizers, 
in adapting crops to the soil, and, in general, in the whole business of farming. 
The evidence of improvement is not far to seek, and is convincing, in spite of 
the cry of "hard times" which is chronic with tillers of the soil. It is seen 
in the nice houses where once were log-cal)ins ; then, one-story framed houses ; 
then, old-fashioned lean-tos, and afterwards the larger, but ill-contrived and 
unpainted farm-houses, which were common in country towns fifty years since. 
There are living men who can renieml)cr the time when, in many towns in this 
county, the painted houses were few and far apart. The out-buildings were 
cheap and vulgar, and the bams were rough and often open to the weather. 
The internal finish of the houses — a few comparatively excepted — was devoid 
of elegance, and the furniture was free from the suggestion of beauty, and 
often of comfort, unless by way of contrast. In all these regards the change 
is so great as to bo almost incredible to the rising generation. 

If it should be said that the ai)pearance is deceptive, and that farmers are in 
debt for these comforts and luxuries, the answer comes at once, that as a class, 
they are not so hampered with debts and mortgages as were their predecessors. 
The one thing, which, in these times of depression and failure in business, the 
mind dwells on with sati-faclion is, that few farmers have become bankrupt, 
and that many have good investments away from their farms. One town in 



CLOTH AND CLOTHIERS. 179 

this comity, may stand for several. Tins one luis no husiiicss centre and no 
inaiiufactnring village. Nearly all its business is farming, yet the people have 
been able to bear the loss of many thousand dollars in outside investments, and 
still remain in good circumstances. But enough on this topic. The agricul- 
tural products of the county, according to the last State census, will be found 
on a subsequent page. 

The Woolen Husiness. — The changes in this form of industry, frcnn t!io 
sjiindle and loom, worked by the hands of the farmers' wives and daughters, 
to the i"ulling-niill and clothier's shop, have been already stated, but the change 
from these workshops to the great factory was indicative of a far greater rev- 
olution in industry and in population. We should not fail to notice that this 
began on a small scale, and that only by an alteration in governmental policy 
was it finally established. The gradual introduction of factories is worthy of 
notice. In Uxbridge, for example, John Capron had a clothier's shop in 1792, 
and later. In 1820, there was a woolen mill in the same town, in which, in 
1828, the first satinet over made in this country was woven. In Leicester, 
there was, on Kettle Brook, in 1787, u "custom shop" for dressing home- 
made cloth. In 1809, Samuel Wilson, from England, had a fulling-mill. In 
1814, ho began making broadcloth, but it was all made by hand. In 1818, he 
leased the property to a Mr. Anderston, an Englishman, and the founder of 
tiie great manufacturing interest in Cherry Valley. Thomas Bottomly, who 
came from England not far from the same time, engaged, at first, as a weaver. 
In 1820 ho became a manufacturer. Ilis first spinning-jenny, as ho said, was 
"made with a jacknife." lie cut the timber in the woods, and fashioned it 
into shape as a working jenny. He smuggled the spindles from England about 
1830. Ho built a machine-shop in Worcester, in which the late Dca. Ichabod 
Washburn was engaged, and there, under Bottomiy's direction, was built the 
first "fulling-mill with falls" ever made in this country. A woolen manufac- 
turing company was started in Oxford as early as 1814, but the business was 
not large, compared with modern standards. In 1831, the old clothiers' works 
were all burned out, and the Denny Manufacturing Company built a woolen 
mill one hundred by forty feet, and four stories high, in which broadcloths wore 
made. 

Without going farther into particulars, for which search must be made in the 
sketches of the towns, it is enough to say that the woolen business gradually 
went from the clothiers' shops into factories ; and that after the accession of 
John Quincy Adams to the Presidency, such protection was afforded by the 
revenue policy of the general government as to encourage capitalists to engage 
in it on a large scale. Satinets and broadcloths were made in Worcester, 
Leicester, Webster, Southbridge, Blackstone or Mendon, Oxford, Ilolden, 
Lancaster, Wiucheudon, and other towns, until the manufacture of woolen 
goods, in some form, has become a great interest. The business has had its 
times of depression ; manufacturers have failed ; mills have been burned or 



180 COUNTY HISTORY. 



carried away by floods ; the tariff legislation of Congress lias caused fluctua- 
tions ; and depreciated currency has been a great impediment, yet the business 
seems to be firmly established. 

The Carpet Buninesfi is one form of woolen manufacture ; and in this branch 
"Worcester County occupies a prominent place. The making of carpets is one 
of the oldest industries of the world. In oriental nations the carpet, in some 
shape, was used in tent, house, palace and temple. They were in use in 
Europe long before this country was settled. Before the Revolution tliej' were 
little known in the United States, thougli it appears from advertisements in 
New York papers, that Scotch and other carpets were oH'ored for sale. Rag- 
carpets, made in farm-houses, were more common. A carp'.-t factory was built, 
in Phihidclphia, in 1791, the products of which were called Turke^^ and Axmins- 
ter I)}- the proprietor. By the year 1810 the census reported as the i)roduct of 
that year, nine thousand nine hundred and eighty-four j'ards of carpetings and 
coverlets in the whole country. The weaving was done entirely by hand, up 
to this time. Patents were granted for improved looms, but only tlie simplest 
kind of carpets was the result. It is said that the "problem of making a 
power-loom which should automatically perform so apparently difficult a task 
as to weave a two-ply web so as to produce any required pattern, had in Eng- 
land been abandoned as insoluble." This problem an American genius, Mr. 
Erastus B. Bigelow, then of Lancaster, took up and solved. Not only did he 
succeed in producing a loom for manufacturing two-ply web, but a loom also 
for the manufacture of Brussels carpets. His improved loom, for producing 
figures which would match, was patented in 1845. Out of his inventions the 
immense l)usiness of carpet-making in Clinton and Lowell has grown. Recently 
be has made such improvements in the machinery as greatly to reduce the cost 
of manufacturing. Of ISIr. Bigelow it has been said that he has done more 
than any American, and as much as any inventor who ever lived, to bring 
woolen manufactures to their present perfection. "lie has taken out more 
than fifty distinct patents for devices and improvements in loom and other 
machines for handling wool." By his automatic loom Brussels carpeting is 
woven rapidly, and with great perfection. The English mills have adopted his 
looms, and Wilton and Axminstcr as well as Brussels carpets are among their 
admired products. 

The Cotton Buxinesf:. — This business is comparatively modern in the United 
States. Samuel Slater set up the first cotton mill with machinery on the 
Arkwright principle, in Rhode Island, in 1790. Eli AVhituey had already 
invented the cotton-gin, which reduced the price of the raw material, and laid 
the b.'isis of the immense business of cotton-dealing, and cotton-weaving in our 
country. But the number of cotton mills did not increase very rapidly for sev- 
eral years. By the year 1812 there were Aictorics in Rhode Island running over 
thirty thousand spindles, and in Massachusetts more than half as many. The 
policy of the government, however, was opposed to protection, and not until 



LEATHEE AND IRON. 181 



1824 did a moderate tariff encourage a large iiivestmeut in this branch of manu- 
facturing. From that time the advance of this business was astonishing. 
Which town in tliis county has the honor of containing the first cotton mill may 
bo disputed, but there were two in Blaclcstonc as early as 1809. From that 
time forward etlbrts were made in dillbrent towns to start the business, with 
alternate success and failure, until the (irst quarter of the century closed. Sooq 
after the new era of "protection to American manufactures" was inaugurated, 
in 1824-5, cotton mills were built, and old mills were enlarged in almost all 
parts of the county. Besides introducing machinery from England, inventions 
and improvements were made by our own mechanics, increasing the production 
of cotton fabrics, and lessening their price. On all the principal streams of 
■water, largo factories were erected from year to year, and many new villages 
■were created, while old ones wove fdled with new lile aud energy. It is due 
to this as much as any one cause that the population of the county increased 
from seventy-three thousand in 1820 to two hundred and ten thousand in 1S75. 

The making of ginghams aud the calico-printing business alone, in the Lan- 
caster Mills, Clinton, has added greatly to the population and ■wealth of that 
enterprising village. This part of the great cotton business has flourished dur- 
ing the season <jf depression, because there has been a demand for fine goods, 
and there has been, comparatively, but little competition. 

T/ie Leather Business. — Under this head will be included the manufacture 
of leather and the products of leather, one of the most important of all the 
branches of business in the county. During the first century after the county 
•n'as organized, nil the towns, probably, had their tanneries and shoemakers. 
The domestic demand for shoes and boots, whether cowhide, calfskin, morocco 
or horsehide, was met by the domestic supply, but there was little if any 
production for export. lu some towns the tanneries were many ; in others 
few ; but the shoemakers were very evenly distributed, according to the wants 
of the people. It would be dilEcult to find when boots and shoes first became 
articles for sale in the county stores; and quite as hard to learn when manufac- 
turers began to supply the Southern market. 

However, there was a movement in this direction about the time of the last 
war with England. For example : in 1810, Charles Watson of Spencer, made 
eighty pairs of calf boots at four dollars aud a half per pair, to go South. After 
awhile the business ceased, but was renewed again in 1820. From this small 
bcsinning has grown the immense business which places Spencer among the 
leading towns in this branch of industry. The same business was commenced 
on a large scale, for those days, in North Brookfield, in 1820, by Tyler Batch- 
eller. This establishment is continued in the family, and is said to be the 
largest in the county, and perhaps in the Commonwealth. 

T/te Iron Business. — This branch of business is divided into many varieties, 
including nails, railroad iron, wire drawing and weaving, metals and metallic 
wares, tools, arms, and various iudustries in which iron, iu some form, is largely 



182 COUNTY HISTORY. 



ii>ctl. Tlic old bliicksmith-sliop was iiulispensnhlc to firmini; life ; it was one 
of the first huilcliii^s set tip iu new towns, and it is still found in or near every 
village. By dejrrces the workmen learned to make axes and other tools into 
which steel was welded. Axles as well as tires were made for vehicles, thongh 
for generations the former wei"c made of hard wood. Some kinds of cutlery, 
as knives, scythes, sickles, cleavers and hill-hooks were the products of the 
old shops. The time came when our ingenious mechanics tried their hand upon 
fire-arms, and turned out tolerable muskets. The making of guns in this county 
as a business, was begun, as is believed, in Sutton, about tiie opening of the 
Eevolntion. Richard Waters, who came from England in 1032, and settled in 
Salem, was a gun-maker. His wife was the daughter of a gun-maker, and they 
had a long succession of descendants who were makers of fire-arms. One of 
these was Jonathan, of Sutton, who had ten sons, two of whom, "Asa and 
Andrus, inherited the mechanical talent of their progenitor Richard." The war 
of the Revolution created a great demand for fire-arms, which could not be sup- 
plied by importations from England, and it was unsafe to bring them from 
France or Holland on account of the British cruisers which infested the Atlan- 
tic. There was a necessity for the making of guns at home. The men needed 
were here. Says Col. Asa H. Waters of Millbury : "Asa and Andrus erected 
on the Singletary sti-eam [in Sutton], a gun-factory or armory, which the}'- 
fitted up with tools and machiner}' for making guns by water-power. Hitherto 
they had been made mostly by hand-power, both here and in England." It is 
said that they discovered that the best iron for gun-barrels lay in the mines of 
Salisbury, Connecticut. "They obtained it there in pigs, had it carted through 
the forests to a forge in Douglas, where it was converted into refined iron and 
carted thence to their factory in North Sutton, where it was wrought into the 
various parts of the gun." The manufacture of arms has since been carried on 
bj' the son and grandson of Asa Waters, who have thus furnished the sportsman 
■with the implements of the chase, and what is far more important, have indirectly 
enabled the country to maintain two wars against England, and to suppress a 
wicked rebellion. 

The axe business of East Douglas h:is made the place well known throughout 
the land and in foreign countries. Scythes were made in Fitchburg many 
years since, and that business is still continued wilh energy. Machine-making 
is pursued iu Worcester, Fitchburg, Winchendon and o'hcr places, on an 
extensive scale. 

The making of railway iron is one of the large business enterprises of 
Worcester. The workings are on a cyclopean scale, and the m'?n seem like 
spirits of the flame. Wire-drawing has become one of the most extensive 
branches of business in the county. This was begun by the late Dea. Ichabod 
AVashburn, in AYorcester, in connection with Benjamin Goddard, in 1831. 
The business continued to grow, and the neccssaiy tools and machinery were 
mostly contrived and invented iu the works of Mr. Washburn and his son-in- 



BUSINESS STATISTICS. 



183 



law, Mr. Moeii. In 1850 ho was induced by Mr. Chickoring, the great piano- 
forte manufacturer of that day, to make steel wire for the strings of his 
instruments. Tiie invention of sewing-machines created a demand for steel 
suitable for needles. Then came "crinoline wire," now nearly obsolete, and soon 
the weekly demand for this article was sixty thousand pountls. The "annual 
consumption of three thousand tons of steel was required to expand and give 
prominence to the ladies' dresses in this country." 

Statistics of Business. 

Without dwelling farther upon the origin of various branches of business in 
the county, it will serve the convenience of many to have the production of 
some of the great industries pursued, in the form of statistics. With the 
value of the products will be named the towns which are most engaged in their 
production, whether in the field of the husbandman, the shop of the mechanic, 
or the factory of the manufacturer. 

Agriculture, according to the census of 1875, emploj'ed about fourteen 
thousand persons in Worcester County. These were people actually eno'a^ed 
in farm-work and superintendence, not including the wives and children of 
farmers. The agricultural products were valued at $G, 960, 777, or, in round 
numbers, seven million dollars. 

The mechanical and manufacturing products will be given in figures, iu the 
order of their pecuniary importance. 



ARTICLES MADE. 



Boots and slioes, 
Woolen goods, .... 
Cotton goods, .... 
Machines and machinery, . 
Metals and metallic goods, 

Furniture, 

Leather, 

Food preparations. 

Paper, 

Wooden ware, . 

Clothing, 

Ai'lisans' tools, .... 

Lumber, 

Musical instruments and materials, 
Agricultural implements, , 
Carriages and wagons, 
Arms and ammunition. 

Carpeting 

Printing and publishing, . 
Boxes, 



$t,G9G,780 00 

3,521, oOO 00 

6,.'J07,84.S 00 

4,028,417 00 

3,0G9,.'i00 00 

2,468,C00 00 

1,091,030 00 

480,190 00 

787,000 00 

752,.5C0 00 

581,655 00 

1,342,950 00 

42G,404 00 

497,300 00 

528,000 00 

273,550 00 

166,500 00 

500,000 00 

334,787 00 

43,000 00 



?17,919,.398 00 

11,017,716 00 

7,023,314 00 

4,SG6,553 00 

3,951,867 00 

3,084,965 00 

2,025,227 00 

2,030,385 00 

1,776,203 00 

1,474,821 00 

1,675,120 00 

1,399,288 00 

775,015 00 

656,710 00 

460,489 00 

438,702 00 

249,.")(il) 00 

Kot given. 

433,831 00 

140,000 00 



The value of the carpeting made at Clinton, on a capital of half a million, is 
very great, and is one-eighth of all made in the State. Besides the above 



184 • COUNTY HISTORY. 



industries are many others of less importance, as stone quarries and stone- 
cutting, brick making, tobacco manufacturing, worsted making, and otlier 
forms of business. The aggregate capital and v.aluc in the above columns foot 
up as follows: Capital, $32,097,171 ; value of products in 1875, $(52,001,104. 
Adding the agricultural productions, valued at $7,000,000, and the minor 
products, the grand total would be more than sevcnt}* million dollars in an 
average year. It will be noted also that farming is only one of the principal 
forms of industry, instead of being almost the only pursuit, as in former 
generations. The boot and shoe, the woolen and the cotton business, each 
surpasses the agricultural in the value of annual production. 

The cities and towns which take the lead in the boot and shoe business are 
Worcester, IMilford, Spencer, Grafton and North Brookfield ; in the woolen 
business, Worcester, Webster, Leicester, Nortlibridge, Dudley, Fitchburg, 
Blackstone, Oxford aud Ilolden ; in the cotton business, Clinton, Nortlibridge, 
Southbridgo, Millbury, Grafton and Webster; in machinery, Worcester, 
Fitchburg, Northbridge, Leicester, Wiucheudon, Clinton and Warren; in 
metallic goods, Worcester, Clinton, Spencer; in furniture, Gardner, Fitch- 
burg, Temi)leton aud Ashburuham ; in leather, Shrewsbury, Leominster and 
Wincheudon ; in paper, Fitchburg, Worcester and Leominster ; in woodenware, 
Winchendou and Worcester ; in car[)cting, Clinton ; in artisans' tools, Worces- 
ter and Douglas ; in lumber, Fitchburg and Wincheudon ; in musical instru- 
ments, Worcester and Leominster; in agricultural implements, Worcester, 
Fitchburg and Wincheudon ; and in printing establishments, Worcester. 

The changes in population have been as noticeable as the changes in indus- 
trial pursuits. The change has been in two directions. First, the sparsely 
settled towns have furnished a continual supply to the growing villages and 
cities. Several of the towns have less population than in 1860, or in any 3'ear 
for half a century. Other towns, which are favored with water power, have 
increased rapidly, and come into the front rank. In other towns having limited 
natural advantages, public-spirited men have created business, and so increased 
wealth and population. Secondly, the demand for labor in the growing towns 
and cities has attracted many of foreign birth, who have become permanent 
residents. Not far from fifty thousand of our people are of foreign birth. 
Adding those of foreign ])areutage, the result is indicative of a great change in 
the origin and character of the population of the county. There is, doubtless, 
a wonderful power of assimilation in our institutions ; and those of foreign 
parentage rapidly assume the gait, expression and language of the descendants 
of the original stock ; yet they impart, as well as receive impressions. The 
influence is in some measure reciprocal, though that of the native New 
Euglander is mightily aided by the genius loci, the human atmosphere of 
locality, which is intangible and irresistible. The use of the same language 
opens the way to interchange of ideas and feelings. Attending the same school 
in childhood and youth leads to association, respect and sympathy outside of 



THE PRESS. 185 



the school-house. Learning our modes of farming and cattle-raising, and 
engaging in onr handicraft trades and manufactnres, indnecs familiarity of 
thought and intercourse. Participating in the open discussions and business of 
town meetings and city government gives a new character to those who have 
been sulycct to lords temporal or spiritual, or both, in other lands, but who 
feel in our free land the inspiration of a new order of society. Above all, the 
Christian religion is our common possession. Its doctrines and its pure 
morality are a constant force in educating the mind, purifying the heart, and 
regulating the life of our people. The Ten Commandments, the Sermon on the 
Mount, the Lord's Prayer, the Gospels, and the Psalms of David, arc accepted, 
at least in theory, by all except a few, as the best possible presentation of the 
character and will of God to mortals, if not to angelic beings. The example 
and spirit of Christ are held up for imitation in all our pulpits, and are 
commended to our children by the tears and prayers of the mothers of all 
denominations of Christians. With such a soil and climate, with such varied 
industries, with such political institutions, with an omnipresent press, with 
such schools and academics, with such an administration of justice, with such 
libraries and scientific associations and lectures, with such a spirit of lil)erality 
and of patriotism, with such a religion, — in a word, with such a general culture 
as our people possess and enjoy, can we fail, with the blessing of God, to 
become more and more assimilated as the generations go and come? 



CHAPTER XVII. 

THE WORCESTER COUNTY PRESS. 

The following sketch does not claim to be exhaustive, or minutely accurate, 
though much pains has been taken to verify names and dates. It is expected 
that the local press will bo mentioned in the histories of the towns or cities 
where established. 

The first newspaper, and probably the first printing-office, iu this county, 
were the property of Isaiah Thomas. The story of the transfer of Mr. Thomas 
and of his paper, the patriotic "Spy," from Boston to Worcester is entertaining 
as a romance. That story, as well as the biography of Mr. Thomas, must be 
looked for iu another place. He came to Worcester iu April, 1775, in the heat 
of the excitement which brought on and succeeded the expedition to Lexington 
and Concord. Boston was too liot with British loyalty and native Toryism for 
such an earnestly patriotic paper as the "Spy," and therefore it was removed, 
with all needed precaution, to the inland town of Worcester, where the pulse 
of liberty has always beat strongly, as becomes the "Heart of the Common- 
wealth." The first number of the " Massachusetts Spy" issued iu Worcester was 
dated May 3, 1775. Mr. Thomas continued to own the paper, though he 



186 COUNTY HISTORY. 



leased it to others for a time, while he was engaged in extending his business 
into other towns and States. Through the war of the Revolution the "Spy" was 
the staunch advocate of American independence. An act was passed laying a 
tax on advertisements in newspapers, which diminished tlic profits of the paper, 
and in 1786 led to its discontinuance for two years, during which the proprie- 
tor issued the "Worcester Magazine." He then resumed the puldication of 
the "Spy," and continued to be its owner, though others conducted the business, 
till about 1801, when his son, Isaiah Thomas, Jr., became proprietor. The 
late John Milton Earle became connected with the paper in 1823, and retained 
his connection in some capacity until 18.J8, a period of about thirty-five years. 
He had been editor four years previous to 1823, making his relation to the 
jiaper as editor, sole proprietor, or associate proprietor continue nearly forty 
years. The lion. John D. Baldwin has had the control of the " Spy" since the 
spring of 185i), over twenty years. In the time of Mr. Earle the "Worcester 
Daily Spy" was started, July 24, 1845, from which the weekly i)apcr has since 
derived the main part of its news and editorials. These gentlemen, Thomas, 
Earle and Baldwin, have had the longest and most conspicuous connection with 
the weekly or daily " Spy," but man}- other men of honorable fame and wholesome 
influence have been proprietors, editors, or assistant editors. The three above 
mentioned became eminent outside of the printing-ofEce, in private business and 
public trusts. The latter still presides over the columns of the paper with 
ability and varied learning, and few editors wield a sharper pen, or one feath- 
ered with a more subtile wit than that of his chief associate, J. Evarts Greene. 
The influence of the daily and the weekly "Spy " has always been great, and it 
stands, as it has in all the past years of its existence, at the head of the news- 
paper press of the county. 

A printinir-press was set up in Brookfield (now West Brookfield), by Isaiah 
Thomas, in 1793. It was taken not long after by an apprentice of his, named 
Ebenezcr Merriam. Ebenezer took his brother Dan into company. Later, 
George, the son of Dan, and Ebenezcr P., the son of Ebenezer, and Lewis, the 
brother of George, became partners in the concern. Thus originated the great 
business of the Merriams of Springfield. The printing business has been con- 
tinued in West Brookfield, and stereotyping was done there about the year 
1857 by Thomas Marcey. In 1794, Thomas and his partner Waldo started the 
"Political Telegraph and Brookfield Advertiser." In 1798 "The Political 
Repository and Farmer's Journal " iiegan to be issued by E. Merriam and his as- 
sociates. These have ceased to be, but other publications have succeeded. At 
present, the Brookfield "News " and the North Brookfield "Journal " are issued, 
and supply a local demand. 

There may have been other local papers of limited circulation in some of the 
towns in this county before the close of the last century, but if so, they will be 
remembered in their town history. The first paper of prominence established 
since the year 1800 was the "National iEgis," first issued on the second of 



OLD NEWSPAPERS. 187 



Docemhcr, 1801. The "Spy" wiis a Federiil paper, and had supported the 
political system and measures of Washington and Adams. When Mr. .Jcllersoii 
was elected, a Republican party was fonndod in this State, and the Hon. Levi 
Lincoln, Sr., was made the attorney-general of the United States. An organ 
was wanted in AVorcester, and the " iEgis " was the result. This paper, which 
was edited with ability by Hon. Francis Blake and others, assisted by many 
<rood writers, was contiuued until Dec. 31, 1833, when it ceased lo exist 
under its name, if not in reality. Its influence was great within and beyond 
the county, and it was a focman worthy of the rivalry of the " Spy." 

The "Massachusetts Yeoman" came into existence in 1823, on the 3d of 
September, Austin Denny, editor and proprietor, in the interest of the Anti- 
Masonic party. It was conducted witli ability, and had considerable .support, 
as the party of which it was the organ cast a heavy vote in this county during 
severnl years. Aged men recollect that William Wirt, the able and accom- 
Iilishcd attorney-general of the United States under John Quincy Adams, was 
the Anti-Masonic candidate for the presidency, and at one time Mr. Adams was 
held up for the office of governor of the State by the same party. The late 
Daniel Henshaw of Leicester, and the late Judge Emory Washburn, then young 
lawyers, were employed as editors at dilTcrcnt times. In 1833, the "Yeomau" 
was consolidated with the "iEgis," and both with the "Palladium." 

The "Lancaster Gazette" was published in Lancaster in the years 1828-30, 
about two years. At that time there was a large printing and publishing 
establishment in the oldest town in the county. The proprietors were the 
Messrs. Carters, Ferdinand Andrews, and others who set up the business of 
stereotyping, map-making, steel engraving, printing, and book-binding, and 
employed many hands, both male and female. The name of the editor was 
not f'ivcn, but the paper was conducted with ability and discretion. In some 
respects, the local paper of those days was belter than now, inasmuch as it con- 
tained able political discussions I)y the best writers in the vicinity. It is the 
fashion now to depend on the papers published in the centres of influence for 
the discussion of great principles in politics, finance and foreign affairs, as well 
as for general news and literary intelligence, while the village paper is mainly 
the vehicle of local news and items. It must have good stories, bright jokes, 
and pleasing anecdotes to make it popular. A moderate flavoring of politics 
may be tolerated if the editor is good-natured and accommodating. 

The decease of the "Lancaster Gazette" occurred April 13, 1830. The 
"Worcester County Republican" was born in Worcester the next year. This 
was a Democratic paper, started March 4, 1829, the day on which General 
Jackson was first inaugurated as President of the United States. The name 
of the Democratic party Avas "Republican" from the time of its origin in the 
presidency of John Adams. The Worcester " Republican " was continued 
about ten years, and was merged in the " Palladium " in 1839, about the middle 
of the Presidency of Martin Van Buren. 



188 COUNTY HISTORY. 

The "Fitchburg Gazette" was started iii 1830, and the "Fitchl)ur2 Sentinel" 
eight years later. This latter became a daily, as the town, liy its rai)id growth, 
became a city, and is still published. The Messrs. Garfield were long con- 
nected with the establishment, and were succeeded by Mr. Stratton, the present 
head of the firm. This paper has always aimed to meet a local want, by gath- 
ering up the news of adjacent towns, and by furnishing an advertising medium ; 
yet it has maintained a political character as a vehicle of Republican principles. 
Its tone has been mild and conciliatory, though firm and unwavering. 

The "Reveille" was published and edited by the lute J. J. Piper, Esq., for 
some years register of probate for the county. It was a semi-weekly during 
a part, at least, of its existence. It had its origin at the time when the revo- 
lution in politics in this county, growing out of the Anti-Slavery movement, 
was inaugurated. The "Reveille " was a sharp, spicy paper, and was devoted 
to the interests of its party. In its origin it was opposed to the Abolitionists, 
but became Republican. 

The " Worcester Palladium " was owned, published and edited by the late 
Hon. John S. C. Knowlton from its origin, in 1834, January 1, to his decease, 
June 11, 1871, a period of about thirty-seven years. It was continued by his 
daughters, with much ability, four years longer, when it was bought l)y Charles 
Hamilton, by whom it was sold, in a few months, to the publishers of the " Spy." 
Mr. Kuowltoa was a man of superior natural abilities, which were well 
developed by an academic and collegiate education. He was a graduate of 
Dartmouth College. As an editor he was candid, clear-headed and independent. 
Though mild and considerate in thought and style, ho could not take his cuo 
from others, but uttered his own matured opinions. He was a man of much 
intelligence, of fine reasoning powers, and of high moral principles ; his words 
expressed his thoughts in the most lucid manner, and his constant readers were 
very apt to adopt his views of public affairs. For a whole generation Mr. 
Knowlton, as a citizen, a member of the General Court, and Iho constitutional 
convention of 1853, as sheriff of the county, and specially as an editor, was a 
power in the county and the State. 

The Temperance cause had its organs, which chronicled, and perhaps aided 
its onward movement. The paper or papers which were devoted to the 
temperance reformation, bore various names. Some of them follow. "The 
Waterfall," "The Cataract," "The Washingtonian," "The Standard," "The 
Dew Drop," "The Agitator." At one time most of these titles were con- 
solidated thus: "The Cataract, Waterfall, Standard and Dew Drop." Among 
the able men connected with these papers were the Rev. Phineas Crandall, a 
war-horse in the Anti-Slavery contest, and Jesse W. Goodrich, devoted to 
reforms. He was an "original" in thought, style, and all his ways, but died 
in the midst of his activity, while still meditating his life's career.* 

• A curions anecdote is extant of Mr. Goodrich, which may have some pertinence here. It is 
said that, being disposed for marriage, ho re-sorted to that very cciuivocal nielliod. advertising for 
proposals. A large unmher of responses were received, but ho died before he had uiado any selection. 



LATER PUBLICATIONS. 189 

The " Christian Citizen " deserves notice in any chroniclo of newsjiaper 
enterprise in the count}', both from its character and the fame of its distin- 
guished founder and editor, Elihu Burritt. It was started on the 6th of 
January, 1844, in Worcester, and was continued seven years. For a time, 
and while the editor gave to it his personal attention, it was a success, having 
over four tliousand subscribers in this and foreign lands. But Mr. Burritt 
went to Europe on philanthropic and lecturing tours, and left the paper in the 
hands of others, who, though men of ability, could not fill the founder's pecu- 
liar position. The "Citizen" was zealously opposed to slavery. The editor 
was a Christian Abolitionist, and his efforts were felt in creating a healthy public 
sentiment against the giant wickedness of slavery. The temperance reforma- 
tion found in him a stalwart champion, who would make no compromise. But 
the specialty of the "Citizen" M'as its opposition to war. All wars, defensive 
as well as offensive, were put under the ban, and the most thorough "peace 
principles" were advocated with all the learning and ability which the editor 
and his correspondents could wield. He also published, for a while, a monthly, 
called the "Literary Geminre," one-half French, and the other half English, 
filled with choice extracts from French authors. 

The Liberty party, which cast its first vote for James G. Birney as president 
of the United States in the fall of 1840, had also its organ in Worcester 
County, though not issued till the second of January, 1845. Rodolphns B. 
Hubbard, distinguished as a teacher and principal of the high school, was the 
candidate of the Liberty party for Congress in 1844. The bitterness of the 
old pro-slavery parties was so pronounced that he was obliged to retire from 
the school, and he engaged in editing the "Worcester County Gazette." After 
about two years the paper was discontinued, but the progress of anti-slavery 
sentiment was such that the "Spy" came into line in 1848, as the organ of the 
Free Soil party. 

Other papers and magazines which, however able, had but a temporary 
existence, need not be described at length. The facts about these may l)e 
found in Wall's "Eeminiscences of Worcester." Their names may be recorded 
here, as follows: "The American Herald and Worcester Recorder," 1788. 
"The Independent Gazetteer," 1810. "The Worcester Magazine and Histori- 
cal Journal," 1825-6, two years, very valuable. "The Worcester Magazine," 
six months, in 1843, edited by J. Milton Thayer, since governor of Nebraska, 
and the late William Lincoln, Esq., one of the best writers in the county in 
his day. "The Wasp," 1842, a Democratic campaign paper. "The Worcester 
Talisman," 1828-9, made up of choice selections. "The Heart of the Com- 
monwealth," 1854, and the "Bay State Press," 1869. 

The town of Barre had its local press many years since, perhaps as early as 
Lancaster, though the date of the first issue of the "Gazette" or the "Patriot" 
is not at hand. The first is still pul)lished. Both were able pipers, and their 
editorials evinced talent, and their selections good taste. 



190 COUNTY HISTORY. 



"Le Travailleur" is the survivor of several attempts to sustain a French 
newspaper in Worcester. In 18()9 "L' Idee Nouveile" began its brief lite in 
Burlington, Vt., where the three first pages of each issue was printed, half in 
French and half in English. The wet sheets were sent to Worcester, where 
the fourth page was printed. The "New Idea" expired in three months, when 
" L'Etendard " was given to the popular lu-eeze, and continued to wave until 
1875. It was published in Worcester one year, and afterwards in Montreal, 
though dated at Worcester. It was illustrated, and had a circulation of three 
thousand copies. "Le Foyer Canadieu" began in Worcester in 1873, was 
transferred to Montreal in October, 1874. "Le Travailleur" above mentioned 
was first issued in October, 1834, and is said to bo the "most permanently 
established Franco-Canadian newspaper in the United States." The most 
recent French paper in Worcester is "Lc Dien Pul)lique." 

Besides the above weeklies and monthlies, there are a dozen or more weekly 
papers published in the large and growing towns of the county. Some of these 
have been in the field perhaps a quarter of a century or more, while others are 
of quite recent origin. In this period many have been started and abandoned. 
Some of them are without party bias or connection ; others take a part, more or 
less active, in national or State politics. Following the towns in alphabetical 
order, and omitting those already mentioned, Athol and vicinity have supported 
two papers during several years past — " The Transcript " and the " Worcester 
West Chronicle," both managed with spirit and ability. In Clinton the "Lan- 
caster Courant" was established when Clinton was part of Lancaster. It is 
still continued under the title of "Clinton Courant," and for local news and 
interesting miscellany takes a fair stand in this line of publications. The 
editor is free to speak his mind on all subjects of interest. The "Rellex" was 
formerly printed in Clinton, but had not a long lease of life. The " Clinton 
Record" is only a year or two old, but a lively paper, with Democratic 
sympathies. Gardner has been a very prosperous town the last twenty or 
thirty yesirs, and during the last ten or twelve has had, in the "Gardner 
News," a paper worthy of the place. Moreover, as a business enterprise, the 
paper and the printing I)nsincss has been a success. Grafton has the "Herald," 
Leominster the "Enterprise," and Milford"Tho Journal," to supply the local 
wants of those wealthy and enterprising towns. The "Northborougli Farmer" 
and the "Shrewsbury News" are hemmed into a limited sphere of circulation, 
but satisfy a local demand. Southbridge, Spencer, Uxbridge, Webster and 
W^inehendon are noted for business enterprise and intelligence, and they are 
able to support large and spirited sheets. Spencer is illuminated by "The 
Sun ;" Southbridge is largo enough to be the centre of circulation for two 
spirited papers, the "Journal* and the "Press"; Uxbridge has its " Compen- 
dium"; Wel)ster supi)orts "The Times"; Westborough is regulated in part by 
"The Chronotype," and Winchendon is now served by "The Courier" in place 
of the " Journal " and other papers which preceded it. Formerly " The Times," 



EXTINCT PAPERS. 191 



and "The News," and (as far back as 1852) "The Torchlight," had a brief 
life, or made a passing flash. These village papers which, every week, sin)[)ly 
news, amusement and instruction to a large numljer of readers, in the aggregate 
are the best histories of the times within the sphere of their influence, and will 
bo of inestimable value to the future historian of town or Commonwealth. 

All the above publications were weekly or monthly except the "Daily Spy," 
which began its career in 1845, and still holds on its way, its eye not being 
dim nor its natural force abated. Many other dailies have had a brief exist- 
ence in Worcester. The most transient of all was the "Worcester Daily 
Sun," which shed its light and warmth for eight d:iys only in 18G!). The 
"Evening Budget" went its rounds a few weeks in the summer of 1847. 
The "Worcester Daily Journal" began Sept. 1, 1847, imuI lived till Oct. 2, 
1849. It was independent in politics, but favored temperance and was opposed 
to slavery. This paper was started again in October, and ran about three 
weeks. Another paper bearing the name of "Daily Evening Journal" was begun 
Aug. 30, 1854. Dexter F. Parker, the indefatigable worker, whether as writer, 
editor, orator or soldier, became connected with it, and made it the champion 
of the "Know-Nothing" party for a brief season. The paper was discontinued 
in May, 1855. The "Daily Bay State" had a run of about a year and a half, 
from September, 1856, and opposed the election of John C. Fremont. In 
July, 1860, the Hon. Moses Bates of Plymouth, an able writer, set 
up the " Worcester Daily Times." A weekly paper was issued from the same 
ofSce. Both sustained the Democratic party till the winter of 1861. The 
"Bay State Press" was started about ten years ago, and was conducted with 
much ability by Edward W. Lincoln, Esq., until it was either discontinued, or 
merged in another paper. The "Worcester Daily Press" was first issued April 
1, 1873, by Edward R. Fiske, and was continued till June 30, 1877. It was 
a Democratic paper, and supported its party with spirit and energy. After 
the "Daily" was discontinued, the "Weekly" was published for some time, 
but was finally given up for want of support. 

The "Daily Transcript" has been the title of two distinct daily papers 
published in Worcester. The first "Daily Transcript" was started on the 23d 
of June, 1845, by Hon. Julius L. Clarke, recently State auditor, and now 
occupying another responsible ofiice under the State government. The paper 
was continued, in connection with a weekly, until May 1, 1847, when both 
were bought out by Mr. Earle, of the " Spy," which became a daily about a 
month after the first issue of the "Transcript." 

Four years later, nearly, April 1, 1851, the "Daily Morning Transcript" was 
issued by J. Burrill & Company, with Julius L. Clarke for editor. It was a 
two-cent paper, neutral in politics till May, 1851, or about seven weeks, when 
it was bought by Silas Diusmore, and changed into a one-cent Whig 
paper, still edited by Mr. Clarke, under the title of "Daily Transcript." This 
was the year when the grand " compromise scheme " of Mr. Clay was brewing, 



192 COUNTY inSTORY. 



b}' which the ohl leaders of parties hoped to settle the slavery agitation without 
removing the cause. Gen. Scott was the candidate of the Whigs, instead of 
Mr. Clay or Mr. Webster, and Gen. Pierce was the candidate of the Democrats. 
The compromise was a disastrous failure, but its success would have been still 
more disastrous. The paper went into new hands in 1854, with new editors 
in succession, as William R. Iloopor and Z. K. Pangborn, until, finall}', in 
1804, April 1, the whole establishment was purchased by Caleb A. AVall, who 
published and edited the daily paper and the weekly " iEgis and Transcript " 
over a j^ear and a half, when other parties took it and changed the title of the 
dailv to "The Worcester Evening Gazette." and of the weekly to the "^Egis 
and Gazette." Since May 3, 1800, Charles FI. Doe has been connected with the 
"Evening Gazette" as one of the proprietors and chief editor. Under his 
direction the paper has acquired a fixed character, and it meets the wants of a 
larire number of readers. Everything in the "Gazette" is short. The news is 
condensed; witty remarks are filed down to a sharp point; stories are brief ; 
and the editorials hit the mark l)y the most direct and rapid shot. The paper, 
like its morning contemporary, is Republican in politics, and exerts its share 
of influence in supporting the Republican party. The "Evening Star" is a 
new one-cent daily, first issued April 3, 1879, by F. E. Corbott, as editor and 
proprietor. It is said to have a good circulation. 



CILiPTER XVm. 

MILITARY HISTORY OF THE COUNTY. 

This does not refer to the part taken by the people of this county in the 
various wars in which our country has been involved. The history- of our war- 
like energy will be found in that of the towns, in proportion to their expendi- 
ture of life and property in the Indian, the Spanish, and the French wars 
before the Revolution; and later in the war of 1812, the Mexican war, and 
the war of the Rebellion. That is a wonderful history, and the mai-vel is that 
communities which have suffered such a drain of their material and vital forces 
could have survived and flourished. But the history of the militia, or the mili- 
tary arrangement in time of peace, now solicits attention for a moment. It 
must be brief, because the historic materials are scarce. It is known that, 
from the earliest settlement of the Massachusetts Bay, there has been a mili- 
tary sj'stem. Until within a few years, military service was universal and 
compulsor\-. The volunteer companies of the present day take the place of 
the old infantry, artillery and cavalry of former generations, when every al>le- 
bodied man, between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, w-as enrolled, and 
called out for drill twice a year by company, and ouce a year by regiment. 



MILITARY SYSTEJI. 193 



As there am no data, in town, county or State records, accessible, only an idea 
of the ancient system can be given to the youth of the present time by select- 
ing a piiidd not very remote, and stating the arrangement of the militia of the 
county at that time. For stating so much, the facts arc furnished in the 
"Worcester Magazine," August, 1826. 

At that time, there were in this comity two brigades and eleven reo-imenta 
of militia. These two brigades constituted one division, which was the sixth 
division iu the State. The first brigade, which was a little the largest, con- 
sisted of six regiments, belonging to Worcester and the southern half of the 
county. Several towns were grouped around a "principal town," and these 
together furnished a regiment. The arrangement was as follows for the south- 
ern section of the county : Leicester and three associated towns had six com- 
panies of infantry, and one of light infantry, making seven companies and four 
hundred and thirty-nine men. ilendon and four associated towns had six 
companies of infantry, four of light infantry, one of cavalry, and one of artil- 
lery, or twelve in all, and seven hundred and twenty-three men. Brookfield 
and five associated towns had seven companies of inflmtry, one of light infantry, 
one of riflemen, one of grenadiers, and one of cavalry; in all, eleven, and 
seven hundred and twenty-nine men. Charlton and three associated towns 
had four companies of infantry, two of light infantry, three of riflemen, one of 
cavalry, and one of artillery, making eleven, and five hundred and seventy- 
nine men. Sutton and four associated towns had five companies of infantiy, 
three of light infantry, making eight, with five hundred and fifty-five men. 
Worcester and three associated towns had four companies of infantry, one of 
light infantry, one of riflemen, one of grenadiers, one of cavalry, and one of 
artillery; in all, nine, with five hundred and sixty-nine men. In the list 
of men, the artillery and cavalry are not counted as part of the regiments, but 
separately. The whole number of men in these six regiments was three thou- 
sand five hundred and ninety. The regiment of cavalry was two hundred and 
six. The battalion of artillery contained one hundred and forty-ei"-ht. The 
band and officers were thirty-live. The total number of officers and men, of 
all arms, in the first brigade, was three thousand nine hundred and seventy-nine. 
The second brigade belonged to the northern half of the county, and con- 
sisted of five regiments of infantry, a regiment of cavalry, and a battalion of 
infantry. Lancaster and four associated towns raised six companies of infantry, 
four of light infantry, two of riflemen, one of cavalry, and one of artillery, 
making fourteen companies and eight hundred and twenty men. Shrewsbury 
and five associated towns had six companies of infantry, two of light infantry, 
two of riflemen, two of grenadiers, and one of cavalry; in all, thirteen, and 
seven hundred and thirty-three men. Barre and four associated towns had 
seven companies of infantry, two of light infantry, one of riflemen, one of 
grenadiers, one of cavalry, and one of artillery ; iu all, thirteen companies, 
with six hundred and four men. Fitchburg and four associated towns had. 



194 COUNTY HISTORY. 



six companies of infantry, three of liglit infantry, one of riflemen, one of cav- 
alry, and one of artiilrr\-, making twelve companies, composed of six hundred 
and eleven men. Tcmpletoii and six associated towns had seven companies of 
infantry, one of light infantry, one of riflemen, one of grenadiers, and one of 
cavalry; in all, eleven companies and six hundred and sixty-two men. The 
whole number of companies in these regiments was sixty-two, and the number 
of men was three thousand four hundred and thirty. The regiment of cavalry 
had two hundred and eleven men ; the battalion of artillery one hundred and 
sixty-six men ; the band and oflScers were thirteen men. The total of the 
second brigade was, therefore, three thousand eight hundred and twenty-four. 
In both Ijrigades, were one hundred and twenty companies in eleven regiments, 
also two regiments of cavalry and two of artilkuy, making, with the ofiicers 
and bands, a total for the sixth division, of seven thousand eight hundred and 
three. 

As the population in 182G was about seventy-eight thousand, or a little more 
than one-third of what it is to-day, we can readily estimate the proportion of 
the militia to the whole i)opulatiou at any given time. It is probable that the 
towns were grouped as above, without material change, for a long series of 
years. As population increased, the companies were made larger, rather than 
more numerous. There was very nearly one soldier to every ten of the 
inhaltitauts, and this continued till the old militia sj-stem was superseded by 
the present volunteer force. 

The annual muster, or regimental training, was a great occasion in those old 
days. Then the companies — infantry and light infantry, riflemen and grena- 
diers, cavalry or " troopers," and artillery, with the l)ig guns — came together at 
the central town of the group, and were followed by all the old military oflicers, 
idle men and boys, big and little, belonging to the towns in military associa- 
tion. Horse-jockeys, showmen and peddlers crowded the procession ou all the 
roads, and filled the place of muster with life and din. The military drill and 
evolutions thrilled the boys with wonder, while the veterans, who had "seen 
service," criticised the "awkward squads." The firing especially, when the 
guns went olF with about the precision of corn in a popper over a hot fire, w:is 
sonietliiug grand. The "sham tight" was a fltting climax of the mimic war. 
The great muster-fields at Lancaster, Barre and other central towns witnessed 
many such scenes, so characteristic of a state of things forever gone. But those 
regiments, rude and undisciplined as they might seem, were the right arm of 
public defence, and the bulwark office institutions. 

Worcester County in the Rebellion. 

Ill the war of the Rebellion, the State acted through the towns. There was 

no c(junty action as such. The history of each town, therefore, is the proper 

place to find what part the people of this county took in suppressing that 

wicked assault ou the integrity of our National Government. But it will serve 



WAR CONTRIBUTIONS. 



195 



the conveiiieiico oFmuny to luivo the facts in rcgaiil to the raisin;; of men aiul 
money hrougiit into one view, and there ia no better conneetion in wliicli to 
plaeo tliein than in this chapter. 

In the table below, uiKler the head of "Money," will be placed the amount 
raised by the towns by subscription, and by the aid of the ladies. In some 
towns, nearly all the private subscrii)ti()ns were assumed by the public, and 
paid out of the treasury. The "State Aid" is properly credited to the towns, 
because the money out of which it was refunded was raised by the towns. 

The number of men furnished by all the towns in the county, as given in the 
returns of the selectmen and the mayors in 18()(!, and pulilished in Gen. Sdiou- 
ler's history, was sixteen thousand six hundred and thirty-one. Every city and 
town furnished its contingent upon every call made by the president, and each 
had a surplus over all demands. The surplus aggregated one thousand three 
hundred and ninety-seven men. 
The expense, exclusive of State aid to families, was .... Sl,3-22,G93 45 

The vState aid amounted to 1,038,909 90 

Voluntary subscriptions, and ladies' gifts, 1G5,7.jO 41 

The total, not including many private gifts, was $2,527,353 76 

Here follow the items for each town in the county. 



Ashburnham, 
Athi.l, . 
Auliuin, 
Can'o, . 
Berlin, . 
Blackstone, . 
Bolton,. 
Boylston, 
Brookfickl, . 
Charlton, 
Clinton, 
Dana, . 
Douglas, 
Duflley, 
Fitchburg, . 
Gardnor, . 
Grafton, 
Hard wick, . 
Ilaivaril, 
HoMen, 
HuljljarJston, 
Lancaster, . 
Leicester, 
Leominster, . 
Lunenburg, . 
Mendon, 
Millbrd, 
Millbury, 



2."n 
yio 

97 
319 
i:iO 
7l'()* 
1;")0 

80 
245 
213 
419 

83 
250 
2110 
8.^0 
2S7 
397 
180 
129 
204 
1G8 
181 
272 
404 
120 
132 
1,142 
346 



^30,587 00 
30,301 15 

«,215 00 
24,556 00 
14,013 22 
35,000 00 
19,847 00 
10,057 00 
15,708 72 
22,000 00 
17,043 19 

8,788 18 
30,734 78 
14,421 84 
81,770 61 
36,405 27 
31,350 23 
12,896 76 
18,809 15 

7,963 38 
13,919 54 
20,864 06 
30,275 86 
31,139 38 
15,480 20 
19,695 00 
92,204 00 
35,930 70 



$16,698 96 

18.915 18 

5,2;J3 71 

11,4:55 08 

11,312 79 

21,271 73 

7,430 47 

6,663 45 

14,324 02 

12,2(12 53 

36,664 98 

5,li08 94 

12,652 U 

9,o;i 00 

60,287 99 

17,673 60 

29,068 32 

8,5;!2 03 

5,257 89 

10,450 00 

8,445 53 

9,337 73 

l;i,234 75 

22,607 00 

8,084 03 

9,347 19 

101,637 30 

20,085 50 



Blackstone furnished about two hundred soldiers for Rhode Island regiments, in addition to the above. 



lOG 



COUNTY HISTORY. 



War Expenses — ( Continued ) . 



TOWNS. 


MEN. 


MOKET. 


Statb Aid. 


New Braintree, 


78 


$9,000 55 


$.3,171 94 


Nortliborongli, 














140 


1(),G17 57 


9,367 20 


Nortlibvidge, 














311 


15,407 10 


12,368 42 


North Urookfield, 














247 


1G,9.>9 08 


18,561 53 


Oakham, . 














102 


10,SG7 58 


6,685 78 


Oxfoid, 














293 


22.372 (19 


20,550 48 


Paxton, 














CG 


G.707 37 


2,244 40 


Polcvsham, . 














177 


13,999 76 


6,302 73 


PhiIlip-;ton, • 














70 


.5,1).-; 1 81 


6,106 90 


Princeton, . 














127 


14,4.5G 52 


4,823 15 


Kovalston, . 














148 


IG.OOO <i0 


9,523 90 


Rutland, 














111 


12,870 90 


3,659 65 


Shrewsburv, 














177 


lG.nG3 90 


5,:!08 72 


Southhoioiigh, 














198 


19,18G 21 


11,373 97 


Southbridge, 














400 


23,080 C5 


18,802 25 


SpiMiccr, 














319 


27,101 70 


23,840 51 


Sterlinjr, 














178 


20,472 G9 


10,051 98 


Sturbi'idgc, . 














235 


18,038 00 


1.3,979 72 


Sutton, 














223 


25,180 14 


11,795 43 


Templeton, . 














344 


33,832 52 


21,440 84 


Upton, . 














219 


27, GOO 56 


14,177 20 


Uxbfidge, . 














290 


30,200 16 


15,122 40 


Wanen, 














22.5 


17.173 37 


12,304 75 


Webster, 














331 


28,074 61 


19, .591 30 


Westborough, 














340 


23,9.0 00 


18,138 92 


West Rovlston, 














240 


22,584 90 


19,276 45 


West lirookfield. 














159 


11,277 61 


12,268 41 


Wcslniinster, 














ICG 


in,G94 (10 


7.843 13 


Winohendon, 














294 


23,043 66 


17.791 .35 


Worcester, . 














4,227 


175,892 00 


106,020 88 



Worcester kept open a "Soldiers' Rest" near the railroad station, at which 
more than three thousand soldiers, going to and from the front, were provided 
with rcfreshmenta. 



CHAPTER XIX. 



FOUR CELEBR.\TEI> IXVENTOR.S. 

The county of "Worcester i.s n«tcd for the number and the usefulness of the 
inventions produced by the ingenuity of its people. Especially is this true of 
the towns in which shops for the nianuficture of niachiiiery have been long 
estal)lished. In such ])lace3 there is a constant demand for labor-saving 
machines, and the minds of mechanics are awake to the importance of meeting 
the demand. It is expected that the inventive ingenuity of the various towns 
will be duly honored by their historians, in the various sketches contained iu 



CELEBRATED INVENTORS. 197 



this work. In this placo room c;in ho found for the mention of only four of tho 

inventors of the county, l)ut iheso four are men of world-wide fame, and their 

inventions have added immensely to tho wealth and power of nations, while 

increasini? tho comfort and lij,'htcning tho toil of millions of our race in nearly 

every land on the glohc. 

I. Eli Wiiitnfa'. 

The first of these great iuventors in the order of time was Eli Whitney, a 
native of tho town of Wcsthorough, where he was born in tho year 17()5. lie 
became a pupil of Leicester Academy in 1781 ; thence he went to Yale College, 
where he was graduated in due course. Tho family of Gen. Greene of Revo- 
hitionnry fame was then living in Georgia, and young Whitney became 
an inmate soon after leaving college. Being often in the company of planters, 
and hearing them speak of the importance of some invention by which the seed 
could be rapidly separated from cotton, his mind was turned to the subject, and 
thus was diverted from teaching, and from tho studies of the legal profession. 
The "green seed cotton," which was very productive in Georgia, was peculiar 
in this, that its fibres adhered so closely to the seed as to bo detached with 
difficulty. It was a day's work to free a pound of cotton from the seeds. At 
this rate the raising of cotton was not remunerative. This, then, was the con- 
dition in which Whitney found himself. There was a demand for a machine. 
A vast industry would l>e called into existence if the machine could be made to 
■work. The latent ingenuity of his mind was stimulated to activity in this 
direction, and after pondering the problem a few months, he devised an engine 
which, with tho attendance of a single person, would clean a thousand pounds 
of cotton in a day. This cotton-engine has ever since borne tho abbreviated 
title of "cotton-gin." Tho trials, losses and injustice to which the inventor was 
subjected cannot be recited hero, but it may be said that the chief reward which 
ho derived was undying fame, and tho cousciousness of being the means of 
adding untold wealth to his country, and furnishing countless millions of his 
fellow-men with cheap but valuable clothing. By this one invention the whole 
industry of the Southern States was changed ; slavery became profitable ; cotton 
became "king" in the politics of the nation; the wealth of the country, by 
stimulating manufacturing industry, was vastly augmented, and tho cotton 
spinners and weavers of England and other countries, by hundreds of thou- 
sands, were supplied with tho means of subsistence. Whitney was the bene- 
factor of tho world, though he was deprived of the reward of his inventive 
"■enius by the pirates who made and sold his machines. But he was a man of 
resources. Returning to the North, and settling in New Haven, he made in 
1798 a large contract with the United States for tho manufacture of arms. 
With no experience himself, and no knowledge of the business by his workmen, 
he devised means to maiuifaeture muskets in a way which was novel and 
eminently successful. Ingenious devices and brilliant inventions enabled him 
to establish a large and profitable business, by which ho acquired wealth and 



198 COUNTY HISTORY. 



consideration. Ills death occiiried in 1825. Ills methods were introduced into 
the national armories. It may be said therefore that he gave the nation power 
to defend its rights, while ho added to the comfort and health of all its 
inhabitants. 

II. Thomas Blanciiaiid. 

The town of Sutton has the honor of being the birth-place of Blanchard, 
■who first saw the light, Juno 24, 1788. Ilis f ither was a fanner, living remote 
from any mills or shops that would awaken the spirit of invention. lie was 
of Huguenot descent, and was worthy of sm-h an ancestry. Among the inven- 
tors of all nations, ho seems to have been second to none in that singular qual- 
ity which may perhaps be termed inventive inspiration. In addition, he had 
the indomitabU^ perseverance which overcomes all oljsta-les. The stoi-y of his 
life, if well written, would make a ino'^t valuable book for the j'ouih of oin- 
country. The narrow limits of this sketch will permit nothing more than a 
brief mention of some of Blanchard's most important inventions. When a 
boy he was employed bj'' an older brother to head tacks, one by one, with a 
hand-hammer. The tack was held in a vise. Thinking over the matter a few 
months, he invented a machine, says Col. Asa II. WiUers, from whose notice of 
him in the History of Sutton, these facts arc derived, "which would cut and 
head them at one motion, twice as fast as the ticking of a watch, and better 
finished than those made b}' hand." The next grand stroke of his genius was 
a decided advance. Mr. Asa Waters had a factory in Millbury in which he 
made guns, with machinery constructed by his own inventive genius. But he 
and all his men were baffled in the endeavor to turn the irregular butts of gun- 
barrels. Young Blanchard was sent for, when "glancing his eye over the 
machine," he suggested a "simple, but wholly original cam motion," which 
proved a perfect success. Mr. Waters, delighted, said: "Well, Thomas, I 
don't know what you wont do next. I shoidd not be surprised if you turned 
a gun-stock." Amid the loud laugh of the workmen, Thomas stammered out : 
"We-we-well, I-I'll t-t-try that." And he succeeded in the invention of a 
machine to turn irregular forms of every shape. He declared that he coidd 
make machinery do anything in the power of human fingers. By another 
invention he succeeded in bending knees for ship-Ituilding at any desired angle, 
making the angle permanent, and at.the same time not weakening the timber. 
Thi^ invention has numerous applications. He sold one right for ship-building 
for V 1. "50, 000. The machine for bending slate-frames yielded him an annual 
commission of over $2,000. These were a few of his inventions, and perhaps 
the most important. By these three, his genius has entered into thousands of 
machine-shops, and facilitated the making of tens of thousands of machines, 
by which iisefid products have been midtiplied by millions. By his means 
guns anil gim-sfocks, lasts, tackle-blocks, school-slates, carriage-wheels, plows, 
shovels and other articles, in great number, are made quiiker, cheaper and bet- 
ter than before. The genius of Blanchard has added untold millions to tho 



CELEBRATED INVENTORS. 199 

wealth of iiiilions, while iiugmcntiiig their c>>mfurt in ways thiit are manifold. 
An anecdote must close this iniperfect notice. Among other irregnlar forms 
he applied the machine to turning marhio busts. lie had expended in defend- 
ing his right, $100,00!), when tiie second term of his patent had nearly expired. 
In this situation he applied to Congress for the extension of his fiatent. This 
was unprecedented. In Jiis extremity Blanchard set his machine at work, and 
having ()i)tained plaster easts of Webster, Clay, Calhoun, and others, turned out 
marble busts of these Senators, which astonished the beholders. The patent 
was extended, whereupon Mr. Choate remarked that, "Blanchard turned the 
heads of the Senators, and so carried his point." 

III. Erastus B. Bigelow. 
This world-renowned inventor was born in West Boylston in the year 1814. 
The particulars of his early life and of his first ventures in business, alone, or 
in company with his brother, the late enterprising and excellent Horatio N. 
Bigelow, would form an interesting and useful memoir, l)ut the only object of 
this brief sketch is to present Mr. E. B. Bigelow as a great inventive genius. 
It is said that in the course of his life he has taken out racn-e than fifty 
patents, but many of these are minor devices or contrivances to guard against 
lessening the value of his great invention. There will be only space, in this 
connection, to refer, in a few lines, to the invention for making carpets, which 
has given him an enviai)le fame in all civilized countiics, and will eventually 
carry the productions of his looms into all lands. The weaving of carpets, 
both in this country and in England, had been done by hand until several 
years after the opening of this century. Previous to 1840, however, several 
patents had been taken out for looms to weave carpets, but only tho-e of the 
simplest kinds. The problem of making a power-loom which should auto- 
matically perform the difficult task of weaving a two-ply web so as to produce 
any rerpiircd pattern, had been abandoned as insolulile by English mechanics 
and inventors. This was the grand achievement of Mr. Bigelow. He also 
invented a machine for the manufacture of Brussels carpets. His improved 
loom by which matched figures were produced was patented in 1845. The 
first power-loom factory fen- the production of Jacquard Brussels and AVilton 
carpets was established in Clinton in 1848. Within a few years Mr. Bi'^elow 
has patented a new loom, "which produces a smoother face, a closer texture, 
and cojisequently a more sightly and durable carj^et than any other loom." 
The manufacture of these carpets at Clinton and Lowell has become one of the 
great industries of the country, and the business seems to be increasing. 
Within a few years the works at Clinton have been doubled. By improvin<T 
the article and reducing the price, the elegant products of Mr. Bigelow's looms 
are brought within the means of all families of industry and thrift, and there 
appears to be no assignable limii to the demand for these elegant and durable 
fabrics. The genius of Mr. Bigelow, and the business ability of his brother 



200 COUNTY raSTORY. 



Horatio, have socurod a wi'll-descrvcd competence, ami the respect and honor 
which industry and integrity merit. 

IV. Elias Howe. 
The fourth of tliis illustrious group of inventors, in the order of time, is 
Elius Howe, who was born in Spencer in 1819. His lather was a farmer and 
miller, and he early learned to work for his living. At the ago of nineteen, 
when he was learning the trade of a machinist in Roston, he overheard the 
remark: "Invent a sewing-machine and I will insure 3"ou an independent 
fortune." This was in 1838. By the remark just quoted the uiiiid of IIowc 
was excited to think, and he watched the process of sewing by hand ; hut no 
advance was made. lie married young, and in 1843 was supporting himself, 
his wife and three children as a jjurneyman, working for nine dollars a week. 
He first tried to make a machine that would imitate sewing by hand, and in 
the vain effort tilled many a basket with chips. In 1814, when twenty-five 
years old, the "thought flashed upon him that there might be another stitch. 
The idea of using a needle with the eye near the point and a shuttle carrying a 
second thread soon occurred to him," and he then became confident that h'' had 
"invented a sewing-machine." He spent the fall and winter in comi)leting i 
model, and by May, 1845, ho had completed his first machine. Before this 
time his friends had not encouraged him, but now greater trials tested his spirit. 
No one would buy his machine. Tailors would have nothing to do with it. 
The cost was too great — $300. He constructed another model and a cheaper 
machine. Still failing of encouragement, his invention was taken to London 
and sold to Mr. "William Thom for £2,J0, or about $1,2.50. Mr. Thom derived 
a profit of more than a million of dollars from that invention. Heing employed 
by Mr. Thom in adapting his machine to the making of stays, he invented a 
fourth machine, which, in his poverty, he sold for five pounds. He returned 
to New York with half a crown in his pocket. It was now 1840. The inven- 
tion being a success in England, infringers of the patent sprang up in this 
country, and for several years Howe had to combat those pirates in court, till 
1854, when Judge Peleg Sprague gave a decision in his favor, remarking that 
"there is no evidence in this case that leaves a shadow of doubt that for all the 
benefits conferred by the introduction of the sewing-machine, the public are 
indebted to Elias Howe, Jr." Fame and fortune were thus achieved. An 
arrangement was made by which Mr. Howe received a royalty upon eveiy 
machine manufactured. At the Paris E.xposition in 1876, a gold medal was 
awarded to Mr. Howe, and he was decorated by the Emperor of France with 
the " Cross of the Legion of Honor." 



GENERAL FEATURES. 201 



ASIIBURNHAM. 



BY REV. ABIJAII P. MARVIN. 



CHAPTER I. 



BOUNDARIES AND SITUATION WATER SYSTEM AND CLIMATE EARLY SETTLE- 
MENT INCORPORATION ROADS, VEHICLES, ETC. 

The present bounclarics of this town fire the following : On the north by the 
State lino, <in the cast by Asbby, on the south by Westminster and Gardner, 
and on the west by Winchendon. On the north line, where the corners of New 
Ipsuieh iind Rindge in New Hampshire meet, and also the counties of Cheshire 
and Ilillsliorongh unite, there is a tree about one foot in diameter ; and it is 
so situated that a person passing round it in closest iiroximity, will be in three 
towns, three counties, and two States. The old centre of the town on Meeting- 
house Ilill is in latitude 42° 30', and is fifty-five miles from Boston, and thirty- 
one miles from Worcester, by direct line. 

The surface of the town is much broken by high hills and mountains, with 
deep intervening valleys. There arc no extensive plains, and no intervales of 
much extent. The Great and Little Watatic mountains are north of the 
centre, the first being on the State line. The Great Watatic is one 
thousand eight hundred and forty-seven feet above tide-water, and is a con- 
spicuous ol)jcct in the landscape. Meeting-house Hill, where the first house 
of worship M-as placed, and where the old burying-yard, with its garnered dust, 
remains, is one thousand two hundred and eighty feet high. There are many 
other great elevations, and the average height of the town above the sea-level 
is probably as much as one thousand feet. The railroad station at Ashbnru- 
bam Junction is said to be the highest point ou the railroad line between Boston 
and the Rocky Momitains. The Hoosac Tunnel is at a lower level. The hills 
arc steep, and the valleys between arc narrow, but a large part of the town is 
cultivated or capable of cultivation. This contour of the town affords a great 
variety of scenery, while the distiint views from the summits are extensive 
and grand. At the north, from the top of Watatic, a largo section of New 
nami)shire is under the e3-e, including IMonadnock and the elevations near the 
centre of the State ; on the east, and south, and west, is displayed an immense 



202 TOWN OF ASHBUKNHAM. 



area of cnltivatcd country, diversified wilii hills aixl valleys. Tlic l(jrty dtmie 
of Waclniscft rises at the south, and far ulf iu the west is the long ciiaiu of 
the Green Mountains. 

The town is well watered with springs, brooks, miniature rivers and ponds. 
The water gushes from the hillsides and fills the meadows with verdure. Be- 
sides the ordinary springs to he found in broken country, there arc some in this 
town which are natural curiosities. There is one spring — perhaps others — 
which keeps at the same level in the driest seasons. Rain or shine, summer or 
winter, it seems to be fed fioni a source too deep and perennial to be allectcd. 
There arc also mineral springs, though none of them have become places of 
popular resort. The brooks and little streams abound in every part of the 
town. Three rivers have their sources in the central part. Of the two main 
sources of Miller's River, that in Asliburnham supplies the largest amount of 
water in the year, though not so much in the dry season. The upper Naukeag 
Pond, which empties into the lower Naukeag, is the eastern head-water of Mil- 
ler's River. The Skowhegan River, which flows norlh and east to Manchester, 
N. II., rises a little to the east of the Great Naukeag, and coimecting the out- 
flow of two or three ponds, runs a strong and rapid stream, and furnishes con- 
siderable water-power to the mills and factories on its course. 

Two copious affluents of the northern branch of the Nashua also have their 
source in this town. The first, called Philip's Brook, rises a short distance 
north-east from the Naukeag, and uniting with the waters of the vicinity in a 
reservoir, flows by rapid descent to the village of Ashburnhani, where it is used 
in various industries ; it then bends eastward, and works its way over rocks and 
mill-wheels to West Fitchburg, just below where other streams from the south 
of the town and from Westminster swell the current of the Nashua into a pow- 
erful stream. There are several ponds in the town, of varying size, the largest 
and most iieautiful of which is the Upper Naukeag, on the north side of Meet- 
ing-house Hill, and not far from eleven hundred and fifty feet above the ocean. 
This lake covers an area of about six hundred and eighty acres, and is rarely 
surpassed in its features of natural beauty. The water is sweet and clear, and 
mirrors the sky, the clouds, the hillside and the verdurous margin with magical 
minuteness. The hill which rises to the south, where the "tribes went up to 
worship" in former times, is a water-shed, and the roof of the old meeting- 
house turned the rains of heaven eastward to the Merrimac and westward to 
the Connecticut. Indeed, the whole town is a divider of the waters; so much 
so that Whitney, in his History, says all the water which comes into the town 
could be passed through the leg of a man's boot. This has been repeated as a 
literal fact, but there is a brook flowing in near the north-west corner which 
would fill the boot-leg of a giant. 

The climate of Ashburnhani is favorable to long life. Formerly this was 
eminently true, but it is stated by Rev. J. D. CrosI)y, in a valuable manuscript 
history, that there has been a change in this regard by which the average of life 



ORIGINAL GRANTS. 203 



has been lessened. Still the town stands well in the list of healthy residences. 
Beiiii!: one of the most elevated townshi[)s in the county, the snow is deep in 
the winter, and lingers after it has departed from the valleys below. When 
settled by white men, the whole surface was thickly covered by forests in 
which all kinds of trees common to the region ■weio found. Great quantities of 
lumber, in various shapes, have been cut in the time of former generations. 

The town, in its origin, was proprietary. Its name, before incorporation, was 
Dorchester Canada. In the ill-fated expedition to Canada, in 1G90, under the 
command of Sir William Phipps, a numljer of soldiers went from Dorchester. 
These were paid like the other forces, but soldiers always have claims which 
are paid in the shape of grants or pensions. The descendants and heirs of the 
Dorchester men, in the next generation, applied to the General Court, and 
received, for delayed compensation, a grant of land, six miles square, with 
the title of Dorchester Canada. This was in 1755, Dec. 9; the number 
of acres was twenty-three thousand and forty. Grants were also made to towns 
and individuals, amounting to three thousand eight hundred and fifty acres. 
Lexington and Cambridge had each a grant of one thousand acres located in 
this town. The real size of the township proved to be larger than the grant, 
as was generally the case under the old surveys. The surveyors seemed to 
have made sure that their lines included as much land as the terms of a grant 
warranted, and then to have thrown in a considerable addition. 

EiTcnts were soon made to effect a settlement, as the grantees naturally 
desired to realize something from their titles. Probably not many of them 
ever moved into the town, but their policy induced them to encourage the 
immigration of steady, industrious families. However, it was found almost 
impossiI)le to effect a permanent settlement of any of the territory north and 
west of the Wachusett until the French and Indian wars were ended. It is 
interesting to notice how much the historj' of one little township was mixed up 
with colonial and imperial afl'airs. The old French and Indian war — 1745-1) 
— rendered all the upper half of Worcester County insecure. The same was 
true, though perhaps in less degree during the last French and Indian war, — 
1755-G3, — when the power of France in North America was broken. Wolfe's 
victory at Quebec, in 1759, gave the coup de grace to the French dominion, but 
the treaty of peace was not signed till 17G3, after which the people in the 
lower towns felt safe in planting homes in the hill country. Those few who 
had stayed in the grant during the war, were soon joined by others, and a peti- 
tion was sent to the General Court for an act of incorporation. 

Among those on the ground were several families of Germans. According 
to the manuscript above mentioned, there were ten or a dozen of these families, 
all of whom were worthy people, and contributed their part to the settlement. 
These camo in about the year 1757. They occupied the "Dutch farms" 
which were mostly in the "Lexington grant." The name of one family was 
Kiberlinger, afterwards known as Kibling. The names of all were Anijlicized 



204 TOWN OF ASIIBURNHAM. 

by degrees. They were industrious aud ten)|)oratc people ; generally read the 
Bihle and attended public worship with their neighbors and townsmen ; nearly 
all joined the church, in German fashion, and as a class, gave evidence of sin- 
cere piety. A portion of them became Calvinistic Baptists. They were 
healthy, and many lived to a good old age. 

The act of incorporation was passed, Feb. 22, 17G5, with the name of 
Ashburnham, in honor, it is supposed, of John, third carl of that title. 

That the permanent settlement and incorporation of the town was delayed 
by fear of hostile Indians, there can be no doubt, I)ut there is no evidence that 
the aborigines ever lived in the limits of the town, or had any ancestral asso- 
ciations which made them resent the coming of white men. But the forests of 
Ashburnham were a part of their hunting-grounds, and they visited the ponds 
as they went l)ack and forth. It is related that Indians used to camp in the 
town after its settlement, and when under the influence of strong drink, would 
let out secrets fatal to their own safety. For example, they would visit fami- 
lies, some of whose " members or relatives had been slain or carried away captive 
by ihem, and when excited, would boast of their cruelties." This aroused anger 
and led to retaliation. An Indian had b-en boasting thus at an old tavern called 
the " Bientield house," and after his departure a gun-shot was heard. Soon after 
the dead body of the "Indian was found floating in the Lower Naukeag pond." 

But efforts were made to locate families without delay. In 1730, the sur- 
veyors were on the ground, making the first division of lots, looking for a 
"convenient spot for the meeting-house," and choosing " places for a mill or 
mills." In the first division, "lots were laid out on the east and west sides of 
the Upper Naukeag pond, then extending south" through the present centre 
village, and comprising in all, about three thousand acres. "A plot of land 
forty rods square, or ten acres, was selected as a site for the meeting-house," 
and there the bouse was built, having been raised by sixteen men from out of 
town, and there also is now the old bnrying-ground. This ten-acre centre is 
described by the committee in these words : " It lieth on a hill one hundred and 
eighty rods south of a great pond, and has a very fair prospect." In this and 
following years, work was done in road-making, and in firing the woods. In 
1738, lots were assigned to the first minister, to the ministry, and to schools. 
The saw and grist mill was built in 1752, and a road straight to the site of the 
meeting-house, which was erected the next year, and was forty-fivo feet long, 
thirty-five feet wide, with twenty-one feet corner posts. But neither doors 
nor windows were put in for some years. In 1743 an offer of £120, old tenor, 
was made to any one who should erect "a good and sufllcient house, three 
rooms on the floor, with chimneys in each room, fit for a house of entertain- 
ment, with a barn, and provision fit to entertain men and horses." A mini by 
the name of Mosman built the house, and in the spring of 1744 was in it with 
his family. But the hostility of the Indians caused his removal. A fortified 
house was put up, but was not long occupied. 



EAELY SETTLERS. 205 



Peace being restored, there were, in 1750-51, as many as thirty men in the 
grant, clearing land and preparing for the coming of families. But the jiros- 
pcct of war put an end to all efforts of this kind for u few years, until 1757, 
when the lii'st permanent settlement of what is now Ashburnham was made by 
Jeremiah Foster, great grandfather of the late Jerome W. Foster, Esq. In 
this year came John Kibcrlingcr or Kibling, already mentioned. By 17G0, 
seven or eight German families wei'c on the ground. Kibling's wife had a good 
education and brought from the banks of the Rhine her diphjma as a graduate 
of the high school. She was a good singer, and a Avoman of religious senti- 
ment. At the great age of ninety or more she was present at a meeting, and 
there being no one prepared to take the lead, she conducted it with propriety. 
By this time, according to Mr. Crosby, there were from twenty to thirty fami- 
lies in the settlement. From thence the population inci'eased steadily, and 
in 1765 the town was incorporated by the General Court. The first town- 
meeting was held INIarch 25, 1765, when Dea. Samuel Fellows was chosen 
moderator, and William Whitcome, town clerk. 

The town being thus organized, the remainder of its history, in this sketch, 
will be mainly in the mode of topics rather than that of annals. Roads, edu- 
cation, business, military service, the religious societies, and the general growth 
of the town, will find a brief space. 

Facilities of travel are among the first necessities of man, and especially of 
civilized man. In some localities traveling on foot, ou horseback, or in 
wagons and sleighs, is comparatively easy. The land is nearly level, or gently 
rolling, the soil is good for vehicles, or snow makes a gliding surface. In 
other sections there is no snow, the land is broken into hills, mountains, 
valleys, gorges, and high-banked, swift-running streams. Ashburnham comes 
under this head, with the exception of an abundance of snow in tlie season. 
But even this is sometimes so deep and drifted as to impede locomotion. The 
first thing done, after rearing a log-house, was to make a passage-way through 
the woods. The ways from house to house and from town to town were up 
hill and down. Not till the third generation did the people learn to follow 
water-courses and avoid high hills when laying out roads. The first vehicles 
were a cart iu the summer, and a pung in winter. By degrees wagons and 
sleighs came into use, but the wagons had no springs. Men rode on horse- 
back, taking a child iu front, with wife or daughter on the pillion behind. Dr. 
Abraham Lowe states that he " saw the first four-wheeled passenger vehicle 
owned in town in 1812. This was called a pleasure or family wagon, and was 
allowed to stand on the wayside in the village, on exhibition. It attracted 
great attention." lie says that it " was rather rudely constructed and imperfectly 
finished." There was no stage-coach nearer than Leominster previous to 1811. 
People wishing to go to Boston had to go thither with their own team, or drive 
to Leon)inster, thirteen miles, and then take the stage. In 1811 a two-horse 
coach ran fro;n Boston through Ashburnham to Wincheudon once a week — up 



20G TOWN OF ASriBURNHA:M. 



oil Saturday aiul down on Monday. Tins Wiis :i great event, a regular mail 
once a week ! There were only two specimens of tlie two-wheeled carriage or 
chaise in the town in the early part of the century. One belonged to the 
minister, \lcv. Dr. Cu^shing, and the other to Joshua .Smith, Esq. From that time 
onward improvement in roads and vehicles has been gradual, but the change 
is almost incredible to those l)ora since 1840. These last opened their eyes 
upon elegant teams, good roads, railways and palace cars, and they can form 
no adequate conception of the slowness and hardship of travel in former 
irenerations. The Vermont and Massachusetts Railroad reached the junction 
about 184u-7, and the Cheshire Kailroad started from the same point about a 
year or two later. This opened communication with all the world. Recently 
the branch road to the central village was made, and it affords all needed 
means of travel and freight. 



CHAPTER II. 



BUSINESS — AGKICULTURE — SAW-MILLS AND LUMBKRTNO — CHAIR MANUFACTURE 
EARLY POTASH WORKS WOODEN WARE AND COOPERAGE RELICIOtlS HIS- 
TORY, EDUCATION, SCHOOLS, ACADEJIY AND MILITARY MATTERS STATISTICS. 

The business of a country town is, first and last, agricultural. The farming 
interest is always prominent, and often controlling, though other forms of 
industry may arise. This was the case in Ashburnham for two or three 
venerations after the first mill was built. There were no mechanics except 
such as were necessary to supply the wants of a farming commui;ity. A mill 
is indispensable in a frontier town, and one of the first buildings was a saw 
and grist mill. But the mill-owner was generally a farmer, running his saws 
and stones when there was water, and attending to his land in the summer. 
The carpenter, blacksmith and shoemaktr are in pressing demand, although 
these will own land, and when their business is dull will attend to their cattle 
and crops. The great thing before the settlers was to subdue the land and 
cause it to yield its increase. The hard toil by which the asperities of nature 
have been overcome, in felling trees, making fences of wood or stone, plough- 
ing, planting, reaping, and clearing out stones and stumps, has tasked the 
strength of successive generations of men and women ; for the work of the 
woman has been as exhausting as that of her husband, though in a difFcrcnt 
form. It is supposed that the first mill was near the outlet of the NauUcag. 
By 1790 there were four grist-mills and five saw-mills in different parts of the 
town. The first were needed for grinding the wheat, rye, corn, and perhaps 
barley, raised by the people, for their own use. Very little, if any grain, was 
sold to go out of town, as other towns had their own mills. At first the saw- 



FIRST INDUSTRIES. 207 



mills cut only enough of lumber for homo consumption. But the abunclance of 
timber in the town became, in time, a source of wealth. It was sold in the 
shape of boards, planks, joists and other forms, for building, or was cut up 
into manufactured articles. Wooden chairs of different patterns began to i)o 
made quite early, and the great chair business has grown out of this rude 
beginning. These chairs were all wood, without cane, or straw, or rushes, or 
other and more modern material for the seats and backs. The demand for 
chairs increased as the population of the county multiplied, and led to the 
contrivance of new forms and shapes, and also to the invention of new and 
ingenious machinery, by which chairs are now made in great variety and immense 
quantity. Wo have not room to trace this branch of manufacture down to the 
time when Charles Winchester and his brother George entered upon it, 
some thirty or more years since, when it had become a peculiarity in the 
husiness of the town. From that time the business took a new start, and 
became not only the leading branch of business in the town, but their cstai)- 
lishmen't became gradually one of the largest and best managed in the country. 
The brothers sc[)aratcd their business some years since, and the younger has 
continued the manufacture till the present time. The ditferent patterns, taking 
into the account the various kinds of wood and other material, the shape, the 
size, the design, and the painting of the chairs, ate numbered by hundreds, 
and even by thousands. These are sold in all parts of our country, and are 
sent to South America, Africa and Australia. 

Potash works were set up quite earlj'. Moses Frobisher proposed to begin 
the making of potash in 1754, on conditions. If anything was done, the war 
soon hindered the work. Col. Caleb Wilder of Lancaster — who, with his 
brother, the second Judge Joseph Wilder, was the first in this county to make 
p:;t and pearl ashes on a large scale — had an establishment here, as well as 
in Leominster and Lancaster. It is claimed thit the first complete ton of 
potash which went to market in Boston was made in Ashburnham. The 
business was continued by different parties till 1830. 

The town had, as a matter of course, its clothiers' shops and fulling-mills, 
but the first mill for making cotton cloth was operated in 1814. The business 
increased, and under different proprietors, was continued till recentl}', when a 
fire destroyed the factcny. This mill, with another, had six thousand spindles. 

In South Ashburnham, which is supplied with power from a reservoir south- 
west of the Junction, there are several mills and shops where a large quantity 
of chairs and wooden-ware is manufactured. In the north-west part of the 
town, the abundant timber has led to a great variety of business, though none 
of the establishments, at present or in the past, have been large. Lucifer 
matches, bobbins, spools, and numerous articles, small in size but great in the 
aggregate, have rewarded labor. A national bank and a savings bank are of 
recent origin. 

Here follow some of the statistics of industry. There were in the town 



208 TOWN OF ASHBURXHA^I. 



ill IST."). two hundred !ind twentj-'two farms luid over four thousand acres 
of woodland, from which timber, clapboards, lath and shingles were jirc- 
jiarcd for market, besides what went into the chair-shop. The value of goods 
made and work done was $.3"i8,674. Chairs were the principal articles made, 
the value of chairs and clothes-driers being $343,742. ^lorocco was valued at 
$65,000 ; cotton cloth and yarn at about $00,000 ; split and finished calfskins 
at $12,000 ; tubs and pails at nearly $12,000 ; and meal, graham and rye flour at 
$21, GOO. The value of farm property, including land, buildings, fruit-trees and 
vines, domestic animals and agricultural implements in use. Avas $474,991. 
The value of agricultural products for sale and use, including hay, was $112,- 
249. The number of houses was 444, and the number of families was 539 ; the 
population amounted to 1,049 males, and 1,092 females ; total 2,141. Xcarly 
all the people are native born. 

The settlers of our towns carried their religion with them ; the proprietors 
assisted the settlers in building a house of worship and sustaining the ministry ; 
and the General Court did not grant an enabling act except on condition that 
the worship of Almighty God should be supported. As soon as the settlers 
were sheltered, and had a mill to saw the boards and shingles, they built a 
meeting-house. The first inhabitants of Ashburnham followed in this worthy 
line of action. We have seen that they raised and enclosed a house of worship 
in 1739. Though not used for several years, owing to the delay in settlement, 
yet it was ready for use when the people should come. The house was moved 
from its foundation by a terrible gale in 17Gl), and was nearly demolished, but 
was soon put in good repair. By this time it had been furnished with doors and 
windows, and made, in some measure, suitable for a sanctuary. The Rev. 
Jonathan AVinchester, son of Henry and Frances Winchester, born April 21, 
1717, and graduated at Harvard in 1737, was the first minister of the town and 
pastor of the church. He was ordained April 23, 17G0, and the church was 
organized on the same day. Two years before the Rev. Elisha Harding 
preached here a few times. In 1759 it was voted that "Mr. Elisha Coolidge 
be appointed to board up the window-places in the meeting-house with rough 
boards to keep out the wet, and to make window-sheets for two of the windows 
that are most convenient to let in the light when there shall be preaching." 
This was before the hurricane above mentioned. ISIr. Winchester was on the 
ground in 1759, and after hearing him the people invited him to settle with 
them. They ofi'crcd him £60, or $200, annual salary, and a settlement of 
similar aiuouut. He had also one right in the township of about three hundred 
and fifty acres of land. At that time an active man hud half u dollar fur a day's 
work. 

The church, when organized, consisted of thirteen men, includiug the minis- 
ter. Six of them were Germans. No female names are on the original list of 
subscribers to the covenant; but doulitless some were admitted by vote, then 
or soon after. If there were any records, they have been lost. Moses Foster 



MINISTERS. 209 



and Samuel Fellows were the first two deacons. Mr. Winchester continued in 
the saerecl ofiice about ciglit years, and died, after a short sicUncss, in Novem- 
ber, 17(i7. He was kindly treated and greatly respected by his people, which 
included the whole town ; and also by the non-resident projjrietors. This they 
showed, not only by a handsome gravestone and an appreciative epitaph, but 
by word and deed while he lived. All his desires as to the choice of a lot of 
land were granted without hesitation. They paid his salary, and they made 
him gratuities in "consideration of his extraordinary hardships and expenses." 
His services were acceptable to his people. His death was a great loss to his 
parish and his family. The sou born after his death was named "Ichabod, — 
the glory is departed," — as expressive of the feelings of the widowed mother. 
"The gentleman, the scholar, and the Christian were in him conspicuous." 

The second minister was the Rev. John Gushing, a graduate of Harvard 
College, who, after six months' trial, was called and settled at the age of twenty- 
four years. He was ordained on the second day of November, 17lJS, and his 
half-century sermon was preached, Nov. 3, 1818. At his settlement, he was 
offered £123, and an annual salaiy of £G0 for seven years ; after which it was 
to be £G0 13s. 4(Z. , or $222 and thirty cords of wood. Besides, ho received 
a few small parcels of land. Here he lived and labored fifty-five years, 
until 1823. He was honored and loved by his people as a faithful pastor. 
He was " kind in spirit, gentle in address, and social in his manners." 
Says Dr. Abraham Lowe, in a printed address: "He was a learned as well 
as a good man, and his Alma JSIaler recognized his desert, and most 
worthily conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Divinity." In addition, it 
is said that he "was highly esteemed by his clerical brethren as an amiable, 
excellent man and scholar, and they gave him the cognomen of the living 
library of history and geography." The church and parish had peace and 
stability during his long ministry. A new and handsome meeting-house was 
built in 1791. His successor was the Rev. George Perkins. Many other 
faithful and worthy men came after, among whom were the Revs. George 
Goodyear, Edwin Jcnnison, Elnathan Davis, J. D. Crosby, F. A. Fiske, 
E. G. Little, Thomas Boutelle, George E. Fisher, Moody A. Stevens, Leonard 
S. Parker, and the present acting pastor. Rev. Daniel E. Adams. Some of 
these have been installed, and others have been stated supplies or acting 
pastors. After the death of Dr. Gushing, the old meeting-house and common 
were aliandoned, and a new and spacious house was erected in the central 
village in 1834. A few years since, this sanctuary was raised, u chapel and 
other rooms were furnished iu the high basement, and the audience-room 
was modeled after the elegant style of a modern church. 

A Union Church was organized iu North Ashburnham some twenty-five or 
thirty years ago, the members of which favored the type of Perfectionism 
advocated by Pres. Mahan, then of Oberlin College. About 18G0, this was 
reorganized as a Congregational Church, and the Rev. Daniel Wight was the 



J 10 TOWN OF ASriBURXHA^I. 



pastor. Ill all stages of its brief history, it lias been a blessing to the ueigh- 
borhootl. 

Methodist preaching was heard here as early as the beginning of the cen- 
tury. That eccentric genins, Lorenzo Dow, was in Ashburnhatn in 1796. 
A society was formed in duo time. Many years ago, a house of worship was 
put up in the village, which building passed into the hands of the Catholics 
a few years since, when the present elegant Methodist Church was erected 
at an expense of thirty thousand dollars. It was at a time when prices were 
high, before the financial panic of 1873. 

District schools were started, according to the requirements of the law, soon 
after the town was fairly established. At the close of the last century, there 
were school-houses in different sections to the number of six or seven. In 
1825, there were nine districts. There were two terms of about six weeks 
each in the year in the smaller districts. Terms were eight or ten weeks in 
the more populous sections. "Webster's Spelling-13ook," a "model of its 
kind"; the "American Preceptor," a delightful l)0()k, as some can remember; 
and the "Columbian Orator," full of interesting pieces, were used in the early 
part of this century. The arithmetic of Daniel Adams is remembered by 
the a<ied. The "Understanding Reader," "Webster's Third Part," "Scott's 
Lessons," the "Young Ladies' Accidence," and "Alexander's Grammar" were 
also in use, according to the recollection of Dr. Lowe, who states that "most 
of the pupils made good proficiency in their primary lessons, in arithmetic, 
and in English grammar." From these small beginnings, the cause of edu- 
cation had a steady growth in accordance with the increase of population 
and the advance of public sentiment. The number of schools supported by 
the town in 1878 was thirteen ; the number of scholars was four hundred and 
sixty-four; the schools were open six months and twelve days on the average; 
the money raised for education was $3,000, besides the expense for superin- 
tendence, printing, &c. ; the sum appropriated for each child between five 
and fifteen years of age was $9.0G. 

As the town avails itself of the opportunity to send scholars to the academy, 
on the high-school plan, it is proper to take special notice of this institution 
as a local school. It was founded by the generous will of Thomas Parkman 
Gushing, son of Rev. Dr. Gushing. The founder died in 1854. The fund left 
by him accumulated by judicious investments until 1873-4, when it amounted 
to $100,000, besides a sum set apart for building the academy, which, with its 
furniture and apparatus, cost about $93,000. The academy was dedicated, 
Sept. 7, 1875, and the term began the next day. The first president of 
the board of trustees. Rev. Francis Wayiand, D. D., died before the open- 
ing of the school. The Hon. A. II. Bullock w.as the second president, and 
delivered the address at the dedication. Upon his resigualion, Al)rahaiu T. 
Lowe, M. D., of Boston, was chosen. The vice-president is Hon. Amasa 
Norcross. Rev. Josiah D. Crosby was secretary several years, and was sue- 



MILITARY SPIRIT. 211 



ccodetl by Col. Goorgo II. Ban-ctt. Hon. El)onczcr Torroy and Hon. Oliio 
AVliitnoy have held the olliee of treasurer, wliieh is now tilled by Mr. CJeorge 
F. Stevens. The eoinniittee on finanee are George C. Winehester, Kl)enezer 
Toirey and George II. Barrett. Tiie exeeutive eoininittee have been Rev. 
Abijah r. jNIarvin, Prof. Eli A. IIu1)l)ard, Prof. Charles O. Tiionii)son, Rev. 
Leonard S. Parker, Mr. Geoi-gc C. Winehester, Hon. Ohio Whitney and 
Col. George II. Barrett. This committee has had charge of the arrangement 
of the phui of instruction, the course of study, the selection of teachers, and 
the purchase of books and apparatus. The building is one of the best in the 
county in cost, style, finish and adaptation. Mr. Winchester took the lead in 
forming the architectural design, and Mr. Whitney superintended the work. 
The instructors have been Edwin Pierce, A.M., principal; James E. Vose, 
vice-principal ; IMiss Mary P. Jcfts, preceptress ; and several competent assist- 
ants in various branches in music, both vocal and instrumental, and in drawing 
and calisthenics. The town has paid $1,000 per annum for the privilege of 
sending high-school pupils to the academy. Quite a number of students from 
other towns have attended. A few graduates have entered colleges, where 
they sustain a good reputation. This new academy has a solid tinancial foun- 
dation, and bids fair to attain in time to the first raidc of academical insti- 
tutions. 

The town has evinced a military spirit from the beginning, and now stands 
well in this regard, when but few towns maintain a military organization. In 
the opening of the Revolution, the town voted to bu}^ powder, ball and carti'idges 
for the soldiers. In 1774, officers were chosen and the militia put on a war 
footing. Thirty-six cartridge-boxes' wei"e bought, indicating that there were 
thirt3--six minute-men in the town. The company started for Concord and 
Lexington, but were met on the way by messengers stating that the fight was 
over, and they returned. Some were in the battle of Bunker Hill. There 
were others in nearl}' eveiy liattle of the Revolution in the Middle and 
Korthern States. The number of men who went into the service is not 
known ; Init doubtless nearly every able-bodied man was in the field at one 
time or another. The Ashburnham Light Infantry was formed early in this 
century, and always took high rank, occupying the right in regimental reviews. 
In the summer of 1814, it was hastily summoned to Boston by the State 
authorities, and M-as rjuickly on the ground, where its soldierly appearance 
called out rounds of applause. In the late Rebellion, the whole military spirit 
ot the town was aroused, and furnished men and means to maintain the gov- 
ernment and establish universal freedom, without stint or grudging. Her 
gallant soldiers fought and fell on many fields. The number of soldiers who 
represented the town was two hundred. and thirty, and the amount of money 
raised, including voluntary gifts, was $30,587, besides $10,330 as State aid. 

Ashburnham has raised her proportion of able and enterprising men, who 
have honored her either at home or abroad. Besides Mr. Cushiui; and Dr. 



212 TOWN OF ASIIBUKNHAM. 

Lowe, already mentioned, the late Milton Whitney, Esq., of Baltimore, was a 
distinguished lawyer. Mrs. Julia Houston West is celebrated as cue of the 
liiicst singers of Boston. The late Ohio Whitney had the singular honor of 
being chosen moderator of town meetings twenty-nine yeai's in succession. 
The late Jerome Foster and Reuben Townsend, Esqrs., the Rev. Asa Rand, a 
learned divine, and the senior Col. Barrett, belong on the roll of honor. 
Want of space prevents reference to others perhaps equally worthy. But it 
may be added that the town fin-nishcd thirteen commissioned officers in the 
war to put down the Rebellion. Of these, George II. Barrett was lieutenant- 
colonel in the fifty-third regiment, Addison A. Walker was captain in the 
twenty-first regiment, and Lieut. -Col. Joseph P. Rice, who was killed at 
the battle of Chantilly, crowned with the reputation of an able and heroic 
officer. 

Mr. Samuel Fitts, of this town, is credited with the invention of a number 
of very ingenious machines for chair works. 

There is no history of Ashburuham, in print, but the manuscript history by 
Rev. J. D. Crosl)y, which has been drawn from in writing these pages, is a 
very thorough work, as far as it is completed, and it is worthy of publication at 
the public expense. 



ORIGINAL PROCEEDINGS. 213 



ATH O L 



BY GEORGE W. HORR, LL. B. 



CHAPTER I. 



FIRST LAYING OUT OF THE TOVn^ — EARLY SETTLEMENTS — INDIAN HISTORY — 

INCORPORATION PROCEEDINGS IN THE REVOLUTION CHURCH HISTORY 

EVANGELICAL DOCTRINE LATE SOCIETIES AND CHURCHES. 

In July, 1732, a vote was passed by both houses of the General Assembly 
of Massachusetts, "that there be four towus opened of the contents of six 
miles square, each"; the first of the four names mentioned in the above vote, 
as recorded in the State Records, was Paquoag on Miller's River; this was 
surveyed and laid out as a township in October and November of that year, 
and was designated by the Indian name of Pequoiag, from the river which 
flowed through the township. When the grant of the town was made cannot 
be definitely ascertained, but it must have been previous to June, 1734, for on 
the 26th day of that month the proprietors met at Concord, and, in presence 
of a committee of the Great and General Court, the following persons drew 
their house lots in the township ; viz., Edward Goddard, Daniel Epps, Sr., 
Daniel Epps, Jr., Ebenezer Goddard, Zechariah Field, Nehemiah AVright, 
Richard AVheeler, Richard Morton, Samuel Morton, Ephraim Smith, Nathan 
Waite, John Wood, Benj. Townsend, Jonathan Morton, Joseph Smith, Wil- 
liam Oliver, Moses Dickinson, Joshua Dickinson, James Kellogg, Richard 
Crouch, Ezckicl AVallingford, James Jones, Charles Duharthy, Gad Waite, 
Joseph Lord, Bcnoni Twichel, John Wallis, Samuel Willard, John Smeed, 
William Chandler, Jonathan Marble, William Higgins, James Kenney, Abncr 
Lee, Abraham Nutt, John Ileadly, Isaac Fisk, Daniel Fisk, Thomas Hapgood, 
Richard Ward, Samuel Tenney, John Grout, Daniel Adams, John Cutting, 
Samuel Kendall, Jonathan Page, John Longley, Joseph Brown, John Child, 
Nathaniel Graves, George Dauforth, James Fay, Capt. Jos. Bowman, Fran- 
cis Bowman, Stephen Fay, Israel Hamond, Benjamin Bancroft, Joseph Har- 
rington, James Holden. 

On the 17th of September, 1735, might have been seen five of these 
proprietors, Richard Morton, Ephraim Smith, Samuel Morton, John Smeed 



211 TOWN OF ATHOL. 



and Joseph Lord, with llicir families, as amid the solitudes of the then 
iinhrokcu forest, they kindled theii' camp fires and laid themselves down to 
rest after the wearisome journey through the wilderness from Hatfield. They 
had left the l)eautiful valley of the Connecticut, with its meadows of the most 
fertile soil in New England, and had come to make their homes upon unim- 
proved hills, the favorite haunt of the red man, and ahouuding with the wild 
animals of the forest, miles away from any settlement. A vast amount of 
labor and hardships were before them ; the virgin forest must he felled, their 
houses erected, and the soil prepared for cuUivaliou. Meanwhile, the greater 
part of their provisions, for a year at least, must he transported from Hatfield, 
thirty miles away, to the settlement, on their shoulders, with only niarkid trees 
to guide their steps for most of the way. They I)uilt their cahii.s and spent 
the first winter together about a mile south of the present site of the upper 
village, on what is now called "The Street." Richard Morton is said to have 
erected the first dwelling, which was a log but; Dr. Joseph Lord also settled 
near by, and if there were other houses built during the winter, they were 
undoubtedly in close proximity. In the spring of 173() ihcy were joined by 
other settlers, but how many is not known. Among those who arrived this year 
were Aaron Smith, Samuel Dexter, Noah Morion, Robert Young, Nathaniel 
Graves, Eloazcr Graves, Robert Marble, William Oliver, John Oliver, James 
Oliver and Robert Oliver. The Olivers, who are represented as stout and reso- 
lute men, were direct from Ireland, and Robert Young was from the North of 
Scotland, from whence he removed to Cork, in Ireland, and afterwards to this 
country. He was a weaver by profession and came to Pequoiagfrom Holliston. 
It is sui)poscd that most of these settlers belonged to the original comi)any 
formed at Hatfield. Very soon after the first settlement, clearings were com- 
menced in various parts of the town. Among the localities first improved by 
the settlers alter that of "The Street" were "West Hill" in the north-westerly 
part of the town and Lyons Hill in the east part. The first man that came on 
to Chestnut Hill to settle was John Haven, who came from Framingham about 
the year 1701. 

The first white child born in town was Abraham Morton, son of Richard 
Morton, who was born the first winter after the arrival of the first settlers. 
Tradition also says that two others were born the same winter, Abner Morton, 
son of Samuel Morton and Thomas Lord, son of Joseph Lord. Margery Mor- 
ton was the first white female born in town, which event occurred in 1738. 

" Tlicrc was a time when rod men cliniljed these hills, 
And wandered o'er these iilains and by these rills; 
Or rowed the liprlit eanoe alon>; yon river, 
Or rushed to conllict annid with l)ow and (juivcr." 

This was a favorite seat of the Indians. Here they pitched their wigwams ; on 
these meadows they planted their corn ; over these forest-covered hills they 
pursued tho deer and other game, while from the waters of the Pequoiag they 



TOWN AFFAIRS. 21; 



drew the trout, salmon ami pickerel. Driven from llic fertile valleys of the 
larjre rivers, they lingered along the valleys of the Pequoiag, loathe to leave 
this almost the last of the river valleys of which they now had control. Tradition 
savs that here lived a portion of the Nipncts and that here lived and died Ilnncns, 
the last of that tribe. The settlement of the place was obstructed by the break- 
ing out of the French and Indian wai', in 1744, and the settlers experienced much 
annoyance from the Indians. To guard themselves against the attacks of the 
Indians, the settlers built several forts. The principal one of these was located 
on "The Street" south of the upper village ; another was built in the north-west 
part of the town, on what was called " AVcst Hill" ; a third is supposed to have 
been buMt on the spot upon which the Pequoiag House, in the lower village, now 
stands. In these forts they slept and spent much of their time, and on the sig- 
nal of danger all the families in the vicinity would gather for protection. All 
lived in constant fear, and were obliged to carry their fire-arms with them at all 
times, whether at work cultivating their farms, or gathered in their humble 
meeting-house for worship ; for around them were the thick forests, and their 
wily foe might at any moment be lurking in the shade, ready to send the deadly 
ball. "We can imagine them gathered at their worship, each man with his trusty 
gun, while stationed at the doors are the sentinels to guard against surprise, as 
the pastor dispenses the truths of the Gospel, his musket leaning against the 
rough pulpit within easy reach. "For three successive years," says Clarke in 
his Centennial discourse, "did the first minister of Pequoiag carry his weapons 
of defense into his pulpit." 

Although thus exposed, yet Barber in his "Historical Sketches of Massa- 
chusetts," says : "It is believed but one person was ever killed by the Indians 
in this town"; this was Mr. Ezekiel Wallingford, who lived on " West Hill," 
and resided at that time in the fort. Mr. Clarke, in his discourse, says in 
speaking of the affair : " Supposing that he heard bears in his corn-field one 
evening, Mr. Wallingford went out to watch, but he soon discovered that the 
Indians had deceived him by imitating the noise of bears in the corn and were 
surrounding him. He immediately turned and attempted to regain the fort, about 
one hundred rods distant, but in passing a fence he was struck by a muskct- 
ball, which fractured his thigh. The tomahawk and scalping-knife put an 
instant eud to his life, Aug. 17, 174G." 

This was the cause of general alarm ; guns were immediately fired from this 
fort, and answered by the garrison on "The Street," which was responded to 
by the fort in Nichewaug, now Petersham, and the next morning, the inhabi- 
tants of both towns joined and went in pursuit of the enemy, but without suc- 
cess. The following spring, Mr. Jason Babcock, while looking for his cows, 
on the meadows near the junction of Tully Brook and Miller's River, was sud- 
denly surprised and wounded by the enemy, taken prisoner and carried to 
Canada ; in about four months he was redeemed, and returned to his former 
home. 



216 TOWN OF ATHOL. 



About tlic time of Mr. "Wnllingford's death, so alarming were the dangers, 
that several of the families left the town and sought safely in "Fort Massa- 
chusetts," wliich stood on the bank of Hoosac River in the town of "Hoosac," 
now North Adams. For several years after these transactions this region 
continued to be infested by Indians, so that the settlers were obliged to carry 
their fire-arms with them continually, but we hear of no more ravages com- 
mitted l)y them, and soon the I'cd man disappears forever from these hills and 
valleys. 

The township was incorporated as a town, INIarch G, 17(32, with the name of 
Athol, and was probably named from James Murray, the second Duke of Athol, 
Lord Privy Seal of Scotland. The corporate act creating the new town is 
recorded in chapter XX. of "Acts and laws passed by the Great and General 
Court or Assembly of His Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay in 
New England," and reads as follows : — 

"Anno Ecgiii Regis, Georgii III., Sccuiulo, 17G2. 

•'CHAPTER XX. 

"An Act for crcctiug the now Plantation called Payqiiagc in the County of Worces- 
ter into a Town by the Name of Athol. Wliereas it halh been represented to this 
Court that the inhabitants of the Plantation of Payquage in the County of Worcester, 
labour under groat Diflicnltics liy reason of their not being incorporated into a Town, 
and are desirous of being so incorporated : Be it therefore enacted by the Governor, 
Council and House of liej^reseyitatives. Tliat the said Plantation bo and hereby is 
erected into a Town by the Name of Athol, bounded as follows, viz. Northcily on the 
Plantations of Royashire and Mount-grace, westerly on Ervingshire and New Salem, 
Southerly on Petersham and the Plantation called Number-Six, and Easterly on said 
Number-Six : and that the Inhabitants thereof be and hereby are invested with all the 
Powers, Privileges and Immunities that the Inhabitants of the Towns within this Prov- 
ince are by Law vested with. And be it farther enacted, that John Murray, Esquire, 
be and hereby is directed and empowered to issue his Warrant directed to some of the 
principal Inhabitants within said Town requiring them to warn the Inhabitants of said 
Town qualified to vote in Town Affairs, to assemble at some suitable Time and Place 
in said Town to choose such Officers as are necessary to manage the Affairs of said 
Town : Provided nevertheless the Inhabitants of said Town shall pay their proportion- 
able part of such County and Province Charges as are alread}' assessed in like Manner 
as tho' this Act had not been made." 

The first town meeting was called by John Murray of Rutland, and was held 
March 20, 17()2, when tlic following town officers were elected: — 

Selectmen and assessors, William Oliver, Aaron Smith, John Haven ; 
town treasurer, Nathan Goddard ; wardens, Robert Young, Nathan Goddanl ; 
constable for south Avard, Richard Morton ; constable for north ward, Ephraim 
Smith ; surveyors of highways, Nathan Goddard, John Oliver, Seth Kendall ; 
tythingmcn, Jesse Kendall and Jotham Death. The first town clerk was John 
Haven, who was chosen at a town meeting held March 7, 17(13. 



REVOLUTIONARY DOINGS. 217 



Several territorial diangcs have l)ecn nuitle since the incorporation of the 
town ; a portion of Athol being annexed to Ruyalston, Feb. 2G, 1799, and also 
j\Iarch 7, 1803 ; a part of Athol was taken to form Gerry, in 1786, and a por- 
tion of the north-west corner was set off to form Orange. The annexations 
have l)cen : A part of Gerry annexed to Athol, Feb. 26, 1806; a part of 
Orange, Feb. 7, 1816, and parts of New Salem, Feb. 5, 1830, and March 16, 
1837. The bonndaries of the town now are : Royalston and Orange on the 
north, R(^yaIston and Phillipston on the east, Petersham on the south-east, and 
New Salem and Orange on the west. 

As the signs of approaching conflict between the Colonies and the mother 
conntry increased, wc find the inhabitants of Athol thoronghly aroused to the 
dangers which were threatening their liberties, and taking active measures to do 
their part in resisting the encroachments made upon their rights by the king 
and i)arliament. On July 7, 1774, a town meeting of momentous importance 
to the citizens of the town was held, when, on a motion made, the town entered 
into the consideration of an article in the warrant : "To Consider and determine 
on what measures are jiropcr for this Town to take upon the present Exigencies 
of our Publick aflairs, more especially relative to the Late Edict of the Crilisli 
Parliament for blocking up the Port or Harbor of Boston." The town records 
show the following action: "After very close and serious Debates on what 
measures were most likely to afi'ecta deliverance from the burdens and oppres- 
sions that America in General and this Province in particular are lal)oring 
under, it was unanimously agreed to enter into a League or Covenant binding 
ourselves to Renounce the use and consumption of all goods that shall arrive in 
America from Great Britain from and after the last day of August next ensu- 
ing, until the act for blocking up the Harbor of Boston shall be repealed and 
we returned to the free use and enjoyment of our National and Charter Rights, 
or until other measures shall be adopted by the body of the people or the Gen- 
eral Congress of the Colonies that arc soon to meet, that shall be thougiit more 
likely to aflect a Deliverance." Also, at the same meeting, it was voted that a 
committee of correspondence be chosen, and that an attested copy of the transac- 
tions of this meeting bo scut to the Committee of Correspondence at Boston. 
Deacon Aaron Smith, William Bigelow, Josiah Goddard, Capt. John Haven, 
Ephraim Stockwell, James Oliver, Abner Graves, James Stratton, Jr., and 
Daniel Lampson were chosen as that committee. Again we find them assem- 
bled in town meeting, Aug. 25, 1774, and, without a dissenting vote, passing 
a long list of resolutions, denouncing, in the strongest language, the oppres- 
sions of Britain ; but the passing of resolutions alone, they think, is not 
enough, and September 29, only a little more than a month later, at a town meet- 
ing, they vote "to enlist thirty men, exclusive of the Officers, to send, in case 
of an alarm," and also to have two companies of militia in the town, and that 
the division of the aforesaid companies be made by the river. William Bige- 
low is also chosen a delegate to attend and represent the town " in the Pro- 



218 TOWN OF ATIIOL. 



vincial Congress to be holclen at Concord on the second Tuesday r)f October 
ensuing." Jan. 11, 1775, it was voted ''that we do approve of and will adopt 
the non-importation agreement rccommeiidod by the Continental Congress." 
At this meeting, a committee of inspection was chosen. The last town meet- 
ing warned in his ^lajcst^-'s name was held March 6, 177.5. 

Athol responded promptly to the call for minute-men, and at a meeting held 
June 15, 1775, it was voted to raise a minute compau}', consisting of twenty- 
five men, commissioned oiBccrs included. From a statement on the town 
records of 1777, we find that Athol had furnished soldiers to go to Cambridge, 
Eoxbury, Dorchester, York, Nantastick, Trenton, Ticonderoga, the Jerseys, 
Khode Island, Bennington, Saratoga, Fort Edward and other places. April 
29, 1777 : "Voted to pay twcnt^'-fonr pounds to each man who should enlist 
timsolf into the Continental Army for three years or during the war." July 15, 
1778 :" Voted to raise 1,583/. 3.s. Scl. to pay those men that have done service 
in the war for the Town of Athol." Capt. Ephraim Stockweli commanded a 
company which was sent to Bennington, and was in the battle at that place. 
"This compan}' afterwards captured in New Jersey, a British detachment, one 
less in number, without firing a shot." In the terrible conflict of White 
Plains, two of its men were killed, who bore the Athol names of Moore and 
Goddard. And thus we find, through the records of those eventful years as 
the war progressed, the sons of Athol on many a hard-fought battle-field, con- 
tending for rights held dearer than life, while from the farms at home were 
furnished quantities of food and clothing for the suffering armies of freedom. 

One of the first public acts of the early settlers of Pequoiag was to build a 
meeting-house. In what year this was built cannot be definitely ascertained, 
in consequence of the loss of the early records ; but it was not, probably, [irior 
to the year 1741, for at a meeting of the proprietors, September 2d of that 
year, a tract of eight acres, on Mill Brook, was set apart "to Lye in common, 
for a Burying Place and a Meeting House, if the Proprietors shall think proper 
to put them too." On this lot, about sixty rods south-east of the present rail- 
road station, the first meeting-house was built. This was supposed to have been 
burned by the Indians, but a second was soon after built on "East Pequoiag 
Hill," or "The Street," now called. In this house, which contained but one 
pew, the few inhabitants of the place met each Sunday for worship. As yet, 
no church had l)ccn organized, and they were without the services of any regu- 
lar minister; but, for several years. Dr. Joseph Lord, who was probably the 
best educated man among the early settlers, officiated as preacher. He w.is 
the first doctor, magistrate, treasurer, tax gatherer, surveyor, and also the first 
proprietors' clerk. Trouble arising Iietwcen him and the proprietors, he 
absconded from the Province, taking the books and records, which have never 
been recovered. The fiist record found whore jirovision is made for preaching 
is Oct. 18, 1749, when it was "Voted that Mr. Brown be allowed for one days 
Preaching, five Pounds, Old Tenor." At a legal meeting of the proprietors, 



CHURCH ORGANIZATION. 210 

luld on the third "Wednesday of Miiy, 1750, it was "Voted tliat we choose an 
Ortliodox minister to settle in this Phiee ; Voted tliat Mr. James IliimtVies, 
our present Preacher, be the Orthodox minister in this place." It seems that 
JMr. Humphrey had been supplyinij the [julpit at Pequoiai^ for several months; 
for at a subsequent meeting, held .June 27, 1 7.'30, it was voted " That IMr. James 
HumlVies be allowed Eighteen Pounds lawful money for Preaching in this 
Place from the 10th of December 1749 to tiie Kith of May, 17")0, being 
Eighteen Sabbaths." The terms of settlement and salary having been agreed 
upon, Mr. Humphrey accepts the call. The 29lh of Augnst, 1750, O. S., is a 
day memorable in the annals of the church history of Athol, for on that day 
was formed the tirst church organization in town, when the newly elected pas- 
tor, with Richard Morton, Nathaniel Graves, Abraham Nntt, Robert Marl)le, 
Sanuiel Morton, Nathan Wait, Eleazer Graves, Ephraim Smith and Aaron 
Smith attix their signatures to the church covenant. The ordination took place 
Nov. 7, 1750. Rev. James Humphrey, the tirst minister of Pcqnoiag, was 
born in Dorchester, March 20, 1722, and was graduated at Harvard University 
in 1744. He was married Oct. 9, 1751, to Miss Esther Wiswell of Dorches- 
ter. For more than twenty years the pastor and people lived together in 
peace and harmony ; then dissentions began to creep in, church meetings are 
called "to see if the church will desire the Rev. James Ilnmphrey to ask a 
Dismission from his Pastoral Care of the Church of Christ in Athol." Town 
meetings are also called for the same purpose, no less than nine being called in 
regard to the matter, and, for a period of more than live years, discord and 
contentions reigned in this hitherto peaccfnl church and town, until the very 
existence of the town itself was threatened ; and so strong was the feeling that 
efforts were made at town meetings to have a portion of the town set olT, and a 
petition was sent to the General Court, praying that a part of the territory 
might be incorporated into a separate town. 

At length, terms of settlement were mutually agreed upon by the pastor, 
town and church ; and at a council of churches, held Feb. 13, 1782, the Rev. 
James Humphrey was dismissed from his pastoral relation to the church. 
After his dismission, he continued to reside in town until his death, which 
occurred May 8, 179(3, in the seventy-fifth year of his age. His descendants 
have always been among the leading citizens of the town. For nearly six 
years the church was without a pastor, and, divided as the town now w'as, it 
became no easy task to unite the discordant elements in the choice of a new 
minister; meetings are held, both town and church, connnitteos are appointed, 
rejected and reappointed ; votes arc passed, calling certain ones to the pastor- 
ate, and the next meeting makes them void ; but fortunately a man is found 
who i)ossesses the qualities and character necessary for the restoration of peace 
and harmony. At a meeting held July 25, 1787, the church vote "unani- 
mously to invite Mr. Joseph Eslabrook to take the pastoral care of them in 
the Lord, and to settle in this town in the work of the gospel ministry." The 



220 TOWN OF ATHOL. 



town ill a few days concur with the church in extending the invitation to Mr. 
Estahrook ; ho accepted the call, and was ordained Nov. 21, 1787, seven 
churciies assisting in the ordination. 

Rev. Joseph Estai)rook, the second minister of Athol, was born at Lexing- 
ton, INIarch 4, 17.'i9 ; and although but sixteen 3'ears old at the time of the 
cver-memorablc battle of Lexington, yet he was present with that immortal 
company of Americans, and saw his comrades fall i)eforc tiie British fire. He 
assisted his father in removing his mother to a place of safet}-, and was one of 
those who pressed npon the rear of the enemy as they retreated in disorder 
from Concord, loading and firing his gun from behind a large rock. Ho 
graduated at Harvard University in 1782, and, after graduating, taught school 
at Kingston, Plymouth County, about four years, and then resumed his theo- 
logical studies with Kev. Jonas Clarke, the minister of his native town. He 
was then ordained as minister of the church in Athol, where for nearly forty- 
three years he ministered to a united and happy people, loved and respected 
by the entire community ; and we may safely assert that few, if any, parishes 
in New England ever lived with their pastor more harmoniously' for so 
long a period as did the town of Athol with their pastor. Rev. Joseph 
Estabrook. During his life, a large proportion of the litigation of the town 
was referred by common consent to his arbitration, and he was commonly 
called the " Peace-maker," an appellation which ho was justly entitled to. 
"While most of the communities of New England were rent by the great 
religious controversy between Unitarians and Trinitarians, which was in full 
blast for several j'ears before his death, yet we are informed that in such high 
respect was his character held, that not a proposal was ever made by anybody 
for his dismissal ; but, when he died, " the parish flew apart like one of those 
flowers called ' Touch-me-not,' and have remained so until this day." He 
closed his life on the morning of Sunday, April 18, 1830, in the seventy- 
second year of his age. 

The settlement of a successor to i\Ir. Estabrook was an event of no small 
importance, and, when the subject came before the parish and town, it was 
found that they were divided npon the doctrines to be preached. At a town 
meeting held in 1830, we find the following vote recorded: "Voted that the 
Town will settle no man in the ministry, in the Congregational Society, unless 
he will obligate himself, that so long as he shall be the minister in said Society 
he will exchange ministerial labours with all the Congregational Ministers in the 
neighborhood, who arc in regular standing, and who will exchange with him, 
and that the Committee chosen for the purpose of procuring a candidate, ascer- 
tain this fact of a candidate before they engage him as such." At a subsequent 
meeting, an article to reconsider this was passed over by a vote of 108 to 42. 
A division now took place, in which those who believed in the Evangelical 
doctrines withdrew from the church and parish. 

Tho next minister of the old church, which retained the name of the First 



BAPTIST SOCIETY. 221 



C()iijj;iTu;:iti()n!il Cluircli, was Rev. Josiali Moore, who was orilainccl Doc. 8, 
1830, aiul continued as pastor until August, 1833. He was succeeded by 
Rev. Linus II. Shaw, ordained Nov. 12, 1834, and dismissed August 20, 
1836. From that time, tlic society had no settled pastor until the ordination 
of Rev. Samuel F. Clarke, April 19, 1848, who continued until 185G. Since 
then, the church has had the following ministers : — 

Rev. D. C. O'Daniels, 1857-59; Rev. Ira Bailey, 18G1-GG ; Rev. 
Crawford Nightingale; Rev. W. S. Burton, 18G8-73 ; Rev. S. R. Priest, 
1874_7(;. The present pastor is Rev. E. P. Gibbs, who commenced his 
pastorate iu May, 1877. 

The meeting-house built on the "Street" was occupied until 1773, when the 
third one in town was built on the "Common," and opened for public worship 
in July, 1773. This house was burned on the night of July 2, 1827, supposed 
to have been by an incendiary. The present church editice of this society was 
built in 1828, at an expense of upwards of $5,000. In the fall of 1847, the 
house was remodeled and fitted up in its present form. 

In October, 1830, as a result of the theological discussions of that day, those 
who believed in the Evangelical doctrines left the old church, and formed the 
"Evangelical Society of Athol." In March, 1831, articles of faith were 
adopted, and an Evangelical Church formed. At first, the new church held 
their meetings in the town house, but, iu the year 1833, their piesent house of 
worship was built. This was repaired and enlarged iu 1859, and a spire was 
built. The first pastor of this church was Rev. B. B. Beckwith, who was 
ordained June 8, 1831, and dismissed Nov. 11, 1834. Other pastors have 
been Rev. James F. Warner, 1835-37 ; Rev. R. M. Chipnian, 1839-51 ; 
Rev. John F. Norton, 1852-G7 ; Rev. Temple Cutler, 18G8-7G. The pres- 
ent pastor is Rev. Henry A. Blake, ordained Sept. 13, 187G. Since 1840, 
the church has contributed for benevolent objeects about $17,000, the largest 
amount in any one year being $1,G53.G6 in 1871. In 1840, the membership 
of the church was 220, and Jan. I, 1878, it numbered 282, having jirobably 
the largest membership of any church in town. 

We find in the town records of 1774 and '75 certificates signed by certain 
persons belonging to a society called " Anti-pedobaptists." The certificates 
state that they met together "for religious worship on the Lord's day iu 
Royalston and Athol." AI)out this time a minister of the Baptist denomination, 
Elder Whitman Jacobs, commenced preaching in town and gathered quite a 
company of adherents, including those from the Old Congregational Church, 
who had become disaffected at the innovation made about that time in the 
custom of singing; those believing in the doctrines of the Baptist Church first 
held prayer-meetings in their own houses, then became members of the Baptist 
Church in Templeton, and iu 1810 were constituted a branch of that church; 
in 1813 there were organized as an independent church. For several years 
they had no pastors, but their meetings were led by the deacons. One of 



222 TOWN OF ATHOL. 



(heir deacons was ordained and settled as pastor of the church, which position 
he held from 1820 to 1833, being the longest pastorate in the histor}' of the 
church. The pastors since then have been : — Rev. Andrew Daj-, Kev. J. 
Glazier, Rev. Asajjh Mcrriam, llev. O. Tracy, Rev. Charles Farrar, Rev. J. 
D. Reid, Rev. Charles Aycr, Rev. George L. Hunt, Rev. D. II. Stoddard, Rev. 
J. C. Emer}' ; the present minister is Rev. Edwin M. Rartlctt, who commenced 
his duties the first Sunday of Jul}', 1876. The church has had two houses of 
worship, the first being located in the upper village ; it is now owned by the 
Catholics. Their present church edifice was dedicated Feb. 14, 1849. The 
church has been generously remembered by some of its wealthy members, 
the late Moses Briggs having bequeathed it $1,000. It has sent out seven 
ministers, and has a present membership of about one hundred and eighty- 
five. 

The first class in the Methodist Episcopal Church in this town was formed 
Nov. 30, 1851, by William A. Clapp, (hen pastor of the Phillipston charge 
and consisted of seventeen members, with Mr. (Jeorge Gerry as leader. For 
some time all their meetings were held at private houses. The first place where 
they held pul)lic meetings was in (he hall of (he large building owned by John 
C. Hill, near the school-house in the lower village. They soon removed to the 
hall in Houghton's Block, where they remained until their present church 
edifice was erected, at the corner of River and Main streets, in 18G1. This was 
dedicated November G, of that year. The first minister was a Mr. Hayward, a 
local preacher, and the first one appointed by Conference was Rev. John 
Goodwin. This li(tle class, formed in 1851, has grown into a large and 
flourishing church organization, now numbering one hundred and seventy- 
three members. The present pastor is the Rev. L. A. Bosworth. 

There is also a Me(hodist Society at South Athol, which was the first 
organized in town. They have a meeting-house, and have had regular preaching 
since the formation of (be socie(y. 

The Roman Ca(holic Church has a represen(ation here. The church of St. 
Catharine is a part of the Otter River (Templetim) parish ; they have services 
two Sundays out of three, (he same priest. Rev. Joseph Coyne, Jr., also being 
appointed for. the churches at Otter River and Bane. Aiiout 1856 they pur- 
chased the old Baptist meeting-house at the corner of Main and Summer 
stre( ts, in the upper village, which they now occupy. 

The Second Advent Society has a permanent organization, and a chapel on 
Main Street, opposite the town hall, which was built in the summer of 1873 ; 
Eldci-s Miles Grant of Boston and James Ilemenway of Athol ofliciated at the 
dedication. The society has no regular preacher now. 

The youngest of the religious societies of the town is the Second Unitarian 
Church, which was formed largely of members of the First Congregational 
Parish residing in the lower village. Public services were first held Sunday, 
Feb. 11, 1877, and Rev. James C. Parsons was installed as pastor June 12, 



EDUCATIONAL AFFAIRS. 223 

1877. The pavisli iniiiil)crs one huudretl members, and the society over three 
hnndred ; services are held in Starr Hull; the society has a fund of $1,200 
aud proposes to erect a church at the earliest practicable date. 



CHAPTER II. 

EDUCATION AND SCHOOLS — TOWN ACTION IN THE WAR OF 1812 — EXTREME 

POLITICAL FEELING MOVEMENTS DURING THE REBELLION TOPOGRAPHY 

AND SCENERY LAKES AND STREAMS GEOLOGY AND FLORA ORGANIZA- 
TIONS — BUSINESS INTERESTS. 

The first provision made by the town for the support of schools was at a 
meeting hold March 7, 1763, when it was "voted to raise thirteen pounds, six 
shillintrs and eight-pence to provide a school, aud chose Nathan Goddard, 
Jesse Kendall and John Oliver a committee to hire a school-master," &c. ; also 
"voted to divide the school money by the river, and those that live on the 
south i-ide to have what they pay towards the sum raised, aud those that live 
on the north side to have what they pay towards the sum." March 3, 17GG, 
it was "voted to build two school-houses, one ou the 'West Hill,' between 
Deacon Aaron Smith's and Ichabod Dexter's, the other on 'East Hill,' at the 
head of Capt. Field's lane, so called, 'and the above houses are to be built IG 
feet wide, and 18 feet long, and G^ feet stud.'" March 2, 17G7, voted to sell 
the school right of land ; May 18, 1774, the town was tirst divided into school 
districts or "squadrons," as they were called, six in number. 

All through the Revolution we find the town making liberal appropriations 
for the support of the schools. Among the early school-masters and school- 
mistresses wc find the names of Nathaniel Babbitt, who was paid fifteen 
shillings and twopence for keeping school in 1777, also to I'aul Church one 
pound four shillings for his wife keeping school, and to the wife of Capt. John 
Oliver five shillings and tcnpence. Evidently it must have been a great work 
to provide school-masters; for several years we find a committee of thirty 
chosen for that purpose. At a town meeting, held Oct. 15, 1783, it was 
"Voted to choose a committee to procure a Grammer School master, also to 
provide stocks for the town as the law directs," from which it would seem that 
the early fathers considered the slocJcs and birch as being closely associated. 
Not only was it considered necessary for the young of those days to be taught 
in reading, writing, &c., but much importance was attached to singing. At a 
town meeting, held May 7, 17[)2, eighty pounds was granted for the use of 
schooling, to be laid out in the following manner : "70 pounds for the use of 
keeping a reading and writing school, the other ten pounds for the use of a 



224 TOWN OF ATHOL. 



singing-school." From 1819 for a period of ton years $5')0 a year was raised 
for schools ; this increased j-ear by year nntil in 1875-() $S,72G.92 was expended 
in the schools of Athol. In 1829 we find the first mention of a general school 
committee, Rev. Joseph Estabrook, Horatio Willard, and Aljel Swcetser being 
chosen for that pnrpose. 

In the iNIarch meeting of 18oG occurs an article "to see what actioli the 
town will take relative to the establishment of a high school in said town." 
And now occurs that memorable struggle between the two villages regarding 
the site of a high school house ; meeting after meeting Avas held and the 
excitement upon the subject was intense. To such an extent was the feeling 
carried, that even the ties of church membership were endangered in consequence 
thereof. Finally the building was located. It is very creditable to the citizens 
of the town that no village controversies have ever interfered with the interests 
of the schools. The first high school was held in 1857, with Mr. George A. 
Wheeler of Topsham, Me., as the teacher. In 1873 a graded system of 
schools was perfected, and a three years' course of study established for the 
high school, the school committee at that time being. Rev. W. S. Burton, 
George W. Horr, and Henry A. Stearns. The hist school report gives 
the number of schools as nineteen, with twenty teachers, and attended during 
the year by seven hundred and three scholars. The present committee arc Rev. 
Edwin jNI. Bartlctt, Henry M. Humphrey, and Fred. Allen. Among those of 
I'ecent years who have been longest connected with the schools of Athol 
ofBcialU', are Dr. James P. Lynde and Rev. John F. Norton. 

The proceedings of the town as to the war of 1812 are of much interest. At 
a town meeting held Aug. 31, 1808, a petition to the President of the United 
States was drafted, read and accepted. It reads as follows: "To the Presi- 
dent of the United States : The inhabitants of the Town of Athol, in the County 
of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in legal town meeting 
assembled, beg leave, respectfully and unanimously, to represent that, although 
the evils resulting from the embargo laws may not be so immediately and 
sensibly felt liy individual towns as by our seaports, and although the farmer 
may not, at present, so much as the merchant, feci their deleterious eirccts, yet 
they are considered of snfScient magnitude to create a general alarm and 
distress in the interior part of the country, and that the ruin of the husband- 
man will soon follow that of the merchant, unless said evils can bo speedily 
removed. AVe therefore pra}' that said laws may be suspended as soon as 
consistent with the nature and fitness of things, and as in duty bound will ever 
pray." This petition, no doubt, embodied the opinions of a large majority of 
the citizens of New England at that time, and the war, known in history as the 
struggle " f"or Free Trade and Sailors' Rights," was unpopular in the eastern 
section of our country. 

At a town meeting held Jan. 31, 1814, the important article of the warrant 
read: "To sec if the town will petition the Legislature of this Commonwealth 



POLITICAL FEELING. 22r. 

to take such ineasures as they shall think tit and proper to relieve their con- 
stituents from the burdens they now suller by reason of the present disgraceful 
war and the late embargo, or act anything relative thereto." A petition was 
adopted by the meeting wherein they resolved "that every encroachment upon 
the State Sovereignty, etc., should, at the call of our state government, be 
resisted to the last extremity." An era of good feeling soon after occurred 
under the Presidency of James Monroe, and all sectional feeling seemed to be 
buried, in which the citizens of Athol rejoiced with their countrymen. 

As an incident of the state of feeling at this period existing among the 
people, the following extract from a letter kindly written to the author by Rev. 
Lucius R. Paige of Cambridgeport, is inserted. It has reference to our Rev. 
Joseph Estabrook: "According to the best of ray recollection. Rev. Mr. 
Estabrook exchanged with Rev. Mr. "Wesson of Ilardwick at some time daring 
the war of 1812. I think it was on a Fast-day, when political discussions were 
expected. In his prayer he invoked the choicest blessings upon the heads of 
our State officers, — naming the governor, lieutenant-governor, councillors, sen- 
ators and representatives separately (as was then customary), and then, after 
a moment's pause, continued thus : ' O, Lord, thou hast commanded us to 
pray also for our enemies ; we therefore beseech Thee to bless the President 
of these United States, and the two houses in Congress assembled,' and then, 
in his impressive manner, specified the particular blessings sought, such 
as that they might see the error of their ways, aI)andon their evil courses, 
and adopt such measures as should secure the peace and [)rosperity of the 
country." 

It may be a matter of interest to know how the vote of Athol has stood from 
time to time for State and national officers. Want of space forbids full sta- 
tistics under this head. In 1824 the memorable contest for President occurred, 
when John Quincy Adams was elected Ijy the House of Representatives. The 
vote of Athol stood : Adams, 109 ; Jackson, 2. So it seems that the Demo- 
cratic party in 1824 had but one more vote than has happened once since, 
although it was at the State election of 18G5 that the party polled but one 
vote, which was cast by a citizen who has since been a consistent Democrat. 

The first vote for governor at a meeting held Sept. 4, 1780, is recorded as 
39 for John Hancock. In 1789 the vote stood for governor : John Hancock, 
29 ; James Dowdoin, 13. But one set of presidential electors were voted for 
in 1792, 179i; and 1800. lu 1804 the vote for President was divided 95 to 28. 
But during all those years there was a division of votes for Federal 
representatives. 

Before the plurality rule prevailed in elections, and a majority of all the 
votes polled was required to elect, great interest was often manifested, partic- 
ularly in the choice of representatives -to the legislature. These scenes are well 
remembered by the older citizens ; and, although a contest for governor, which 
brings out in the town a vote of upwards of four hundred for each candidate. 



226 TOWN OF ATHOL. 



must necessarily be exciting, yet for the choice of ihc people's representative, 
under the old l;i\v, almost, if not equal zeal was manifested by the voters to 
elect by a majority vote their favorite candidate. 

Athol has always sustained a good position at the State House. The first 
mention of a representative we find recorded was in 1775, when Capt. John 
Haven was chosen representative to the Great and General Court. Since then 
the town has sent (he following : — 

Senators. — Benjamin Estabrook, 1843; Charles Field, 18.58, *59 ; Alphens 
Harding, 1879. 

Hepresentatives.—Jos'vdh Goddnrd, 1792, '9.'), '90, '98, '99, 1800; Lieut. 
Elcazer Graves, 1802, '04, '05, '17 ; .lames Humphrey, 180G, '09, '10, '11, '12, 
'13, 'IG, '21, '23, '25 ; Samuel Young, 1808 ; James Oliver, 1814, '15 ; Joseph 
Proctor, 1819 ; Dr. Ebenczer Chaplin, 1827, '29 ; Col. Samuel Swcelzer, 1830, 
'44, '46; Eliphalct Thorpe, 1832; Col. Nathan Nickerson, 1833; Benjamin 
Estabrook, 1835, '3G, '52 ; in 1837 two representatives were sent, Benjamin 
Estal)rook and James Young ; in 1838 Benjamin Estabrook and Aljncr Young ; 
Theodore Jones, 1840, '43, '45 ; John W. Humphrey, 1841, '42; Nathaniel 
Richardson, 1847, '60; Lysander Fay, 1848; Stillman Simonds, 1850; 
Nehemiah Ward, 1851; Josiah Haven, 1854; Labau Morse, 1855; James I. 
Goulding, 1856; Charles Field, 1857; Isaac Stevens, 1858; Farwell F. Fay, 
1862; Alphens Harding, 1863, '67; Calvin Kelton, 1865; T. H. Goodspeed, 
1869; Ozi Kendall, USTI ; George H. Hoyt, 1872, '73 ; Edwin Ellis, 1875; 
William W. Fish, 1870 ; J. Sumner Parmenter, 1878 ; Leander B. Morse, 1879. 

Constitutional Convention. — Lyman W. Hapgood, 1853. 

When the great crisis in our national history came, and the hour arrived 
when blows must be struck for the maintenance of the institutions which the 
fathers had planted, and which the founders of Athol had been so active and 
persistent in hcl[)ing to estal)lish, it found the sons equally as [)atriotic in the 
preservation and the peri)otuity of those institutions ; there was no hcsit.ition, 
no faltering, from the time when the news of Fort Sumter's fall, borne on 
lightning wings, reached the homes of Athol, until the last battle had been 
fought, and her returning heroes had again donned the garb of peaceful 
citizens. On the evening of April 19, only seven days after the bombardment 
of Fort Sumter, a public meeting was held at the town hall, when forty or 
more were found who were ready to leave at once to defend the national 
capital. At a large town meeting, held April 30, 1861, it was voted "that 
five thousand dollars be appropriated" for the purpose of encouraging men to 
enlist," and ''that ten dollars per month be given to each unmarried volunteer, 
and twenty dollars to each married volunteer, in addition to the pay insured 
them by the laws of the United States." And, "if more be necessary to 
support the families of the married volunteers, the committee is to make up 
the deficiency." 

The first man who enlisted and was mustered into the United States service 



THE CIVIL WAR. 227 



was Leaiulor W. Phelps, and lie was one of the sixteen who marched with tho 
second rejriment of Massachusetts volunteers when it left for the Upper 
Potomac, July 8, 18G1. The names of the others were David E. Billings, J. 
B, Billings, Delevan Richardson, Hubbard V. Smith, Edward L. Townsend, 
Charles H. Hill, Charles S. Green, Columbus Fox, 'William L. Clnlterbuck, 
Horace Hunt, William Nutc, Frederick Cummings, John D. Emerson, Thomas 
Johnson and Aurin B. French. In the tenth regiment, which went to the scat 
of war very soon after tiic second, were John F. JNIerrill and James L. Merrill. 
July 10, 18()1, money was appropriated for the support of the families of the 
soldiers. Twenty-three next left for the war, Aug. 22, 18(51, in the twenty-first 
regiment; most of these men belonged to company A, which was called the 
"Adams Guards," commanded by Captain, afterwards Col. George P. liawkes 
of Templcton. Soon after this, another and successfid effort was made to 
recruit a company in Athol and vicinity, and in the short space of ten days 
the requisite number of men was obtained ; these ccmstituted company B of 
tho twenty-seventh regiment, Adin W. Caswdl, captain. During 1861 
Athol men also enlisted in the thirtieth and thirty-first regiments, and also 
in the first battalion of infantry. The first Athol man killed in action was 
William Hill, company B, twenty-seventh regiment, who fell at the capture 
of Roanoke Island; Patrick Leonard, of company A, twenty-first regiment, 
■was also mortally wounded in tho same conflict. July 4, 1SG2, the President 
issued an order for thiec hundred thousand volunteers to serve for three years, 
or until the end of the war. The number assigned to Athol under this call 
was forty-eight. Aug. 2, 18G2, a town meeting was held to encourage enlist- 
ments, when it was "Voted, that the selectmen of Athol be authorized, iu 
behalf of the town, to pay a bounty of $100 to every inhabitant of the town 
who shall have enlisted since July 7, 1802, or who shall hereafter, on or before 
the sixteenth day of August, 18G2, enlist into said service, until the number 
equal to said quota shall l)e fully made up." In a few days forty-one men 
enlisted from Athol, and were assigned to the ditferent regiments of Massachu- 
setts volunteers. 

Great enthusiasm was manifested by the people of Athol, while the men 
were enlisting for nine months' service, and many offered themselves as soldiers 
who could not be accepted because of some physical disability; the number 
mustered info service under this call was fifty-two. The nine months men, 
with those from neighboring towns, formed company E of the fifty-third 
regiment, of which Farwell F. Fay, Esq., was chosen captain. 

The number of men furnished by Athol to aid in suppressing the Rebellion 
was three hundred and thirty-five, of whom fifteen were commissioned officers, 
and the whole number furnished to fill quotas, including re-enlistments, was 
three hundred and eighty-seven ; of these, more than fifty died iu the service 
or from diseases contracted in it, of which number fourteen were killed, or 
died from wounds received iu action ; twenty-eight men from Athol were iu 



228 TOWN OF ATHOL. 



rebel prisons, of whom four died while prisoners at Andersonville, and one 
died soon after leaving that place. James L. Merrill furnished five sons for 
the armj'; of these, three were very severely wounded, and the fourth nearly 
sacrificed his life to save that of a wounded brother. The family of Leander 
Phelps furnished four to fill the quotas from Athol, while Franklin Oliver and 
Isaac King each sent four sons. 

Soldiers' aid societies were in active operation in both villages, and through 
the efforts of the ladies composing them sent money and supplies to the 
soldiers, amounting to $2,381.90. The amount of indelitcduess incurred by 
the town of Athol on acc(nnit of the war was $18,880.94, while the total 
expenses, including bounties, contributed by the citizens, etc., amounted to 
$39,5(55.02. 

The history of the gallant volunteers who went from Athol, and the action of 
the town during those thrilling days, have been carefully preserved in a volume 
entitled "Atliol in the Suppression of the Rebellion," to which we are indebted 
for much of the information regarding those eventful days. 

Athol is diversified with hills and valleys, and abounds with beautiful and 
picturesque scenery. The principal elevations are Chestnut Hill, in the nortli ; 
Ilio'h Knob, near the centre ; Eound Top, Ward's and Pierce's hills, in the 
east. Especially worthy of mention is the view from the summit of Round 
Top; to the north, the Grand Monadnock lifts its rocky form, seeming but a 
few miles away ; to the cast are the rounded tops of Wacinisctt and Watatic, 
and scattered on the hill-tops the villages of Templeton, Gardner, Westminster, 
"Winchendon and other places ; to the west may bo seen the Green Mountains of 
Vermont and Berkshire County, while old Greylock peers above in the dim 
distance ; the villages of Koyalston, North Orauge, New Salem, and others are 
also seen in the north and west. The cultivated farms, the snowy white 
villages scattered on every side, the verdure-covered hills and forest-clad 
nKUMitains, all unite in forming a scene of rare l)canty. 

Miller's River, rol)bed of its more beautiful and afjpropriate Indian name of 
Piquoiag because a man by the name of Miller was so uufortunatc as to have 
])cen drowned while attempting to cross it more than one hundred and fifty 
years ago, flows through the town in a south-westerly direction, furnishing a 
valuable motive-power for various manufiieturing establishments. TuUy 
Brook, the next largest stream, enters ]\Iiller's River from the north, forming, 
for some distance, the boundary between Athol and Orange. Mill Brook, 
rising among the hills of Phillipston, flows through the upper village, .and has 
numerous mills along its course. Silver Lake, formerly known as Babcock's 
Pond, is a beautiful sheet of water, situated in a hollow among the hills near 
the lower village ; it contains about twenty acres, and its waters are clear 
and cool, the shores are bordered by woods, and although within a few rods of 
the busy village, it presents a secluded and romantic retreat. 

South-west Pond, in the westerly part of the town, is a large sheet of water. 



GEOLOGY AND FLORA. 229 

It liarf been leased hy the lish cuiiiinissioners to a company for the cullivtitiou 
of llsh, and has been stocked with several varieties. 

Lake Ellis, situated near the upper village, and bordered I)y the Worcester 
North-west Fair Grounds on the east, is a favorite resort for picnics and 
lishing parties; there are several islands which add to the beauty of the 
scenery, and are becoming quite popular as camping-places during the summer 
months. A sinall ste.imcr called the "Escort" plies upon the lake. 

The geological structure of Athol is calcareous gneiss. lu this formative 
rock occur specimens of allanite, ci)idotc, fil)rolitc and babingtonite. Another 
mineral is frequently found in the form of pebbles among the diluvium of 
Athol and Royalston, which Prof. Hitchcock did not pretend to name ; its color 
is usually white, sometimes brown, its hardness equal to that of quartz, and its 
toughness much greater. Prof. Hitchcock mentions a fine example of a 
moraine in Athol, a little north of the village, where the two branches of 
Miller's River unite. He also mentions a peat-bed two miles long and eighty 
rods wide, and containing about three hundred acres, the peat being two to 
three feet in thickness. This is now mostly covered by Lake Ellis and Ellen- 
wood's Pond. There is also a well-defined train of bowlders near the central 
part of the town. 

The flora of Athol is varied, possessing most of the varieties common to this 
section of the country, and some which are rare in many localities. There are 
few places in the State where the trailing arbutus or Mayflower is found so 
extensively as here, large tracts being covered with this most lovely of New 
England flowers, the air being fragrant in spring with its sweet perfume. The 
Twin Flower (Linncea borealisj, .a delicate little plant, witli fragrant, nodding 
flowers, growing in moist, mossy woods and cold bogs, is found here abun- 
dantly, although quite rare in many parts of Massachusetts ; it was dedicated to 
the great botanist, Linniuus, w^ith whom this humlilc but charming plant was 
au especial favorite. Along the river banks and brooks may be seen the 
Virgin's Bower (Clematis Vii-ffiiiiana), climbing over the shrubs and trees, 
blossoming in .July and August ; its flowers are succeeded by the long, silken 
fringes of the fruit, which remain on the vines during the whole of the autumnal 
months, forming a graceful and pretty sight. The Fringed Gentian (Gentlana 
criuila) is common here, which Bryant so beautifully describes in oue of his 
poems : — 

" Thou lilossom, bright with autumn clew, 
And colored with the heaven's own blue, 
That openest when the quiet light 
Succeeds the keen and frosty night; 

Thou waitcst late, and com'st alone, 
When woods are bare and birds are flomi. 
And frosts and shortening days portend 
The aged Year is near his end. 

Then doth thy sweet and quiet eye 
Look through its fringes to the sky, 
Blue — bine — as if that sky let fall 
A flower from its cerulean wall." 



230 TOWN OF ATHOL. 



Among other plants fountl here are the goUlthread (Cqptis (ri/olia), the 
Indian pipe (Monofrnpa niii flora), &c. 

The first lodge of Freemasons in Athol was Harris Lodge, the officers of 
which were installed by W. M. Isaiah Thomas, Oct. 13, 1803. Previous to 
this, the names of a few hrellircn from this town appear on the rolls of two or 
three of the older lodges of the county, and some joined the Republican Lodge 
of Greenfield. Harris Lodge Avas removed to Gerry in 1811, and afterwards 
to Tetnplcton. Athol is now one of the strongholds of Masonry, having tlie 
following organizations: — Star Lodge, instituted in 1804, has 87 members; 
Athol Lodge, chartered Sept. 12, 1872, has 75 members; Union Royal Arch 
Chapter, instituted in 18GG; and the Athol Commandery of Knights Templars. 
The two oldest Masons in town arc Maj. Warren Ilorr and Nathaniel Richard- 
son, Esq., both of whom have been members of tlie order for more than filty years. 

The organizations engaged in the cause of temperance are Watercure Lodge 
of Good Templars, Athol Reform Clul), Holdeu Total Al)slincnce Society, and 
the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. 

The Massachusetts Mutual Relief Association was organized in 187G for the 
purpose of aiding the families of deceased members; Acme Lodge, Kuigiits of 
Honor, was instituted in March, 1877, has a good meml)ersiiip, and is fast 
increasing in numbers. Parker Post No. 123, Grand Army of the Republic, 
■was chartered June 1, 1870. It has done much in lurnisliing aid to the poor 
and imfortunate of its members and the families of deceased comrades. Eight 
comrades have died since its organization. The post occupies a lino hall in 
Cook's Block, in the upper village. The following have been commanders: 
F. F. Fay, George H. Iloyt, II. M. Burleigh, Charles Grey and Henry T. 
Morse. The present commander is George R. Hanson. 

The ladies have recently organized Hoyt Post, Matrons of the Republic. 

The Athol Library Association was organized in December, 1S78, with Hon. 
Charles Field as president. It has received valuable donations from former 
residents of Athol, and now contains upwards of 700 volumes. It meets a 
want long felt in the town, and is being liberally patronized by the citizens. 

The Worcester North-west Agricultural and Mechanical Society was incor- 
porated April 2, 1867, and established in the town of Athol. Its fairs are 
among the best of the agricultural societies of the State, and are largely 
atter.ded. It has finely located fair grounds, and all tlie necessary buildings, 
including hall, stables, &c., with a good half-mile track. Its membership 
embraces many of the leading farmers, mechanics and manufacturers of this 
and surrounding towns. 

The Enunct Literary Society, composed of young men of Irish parentage, 
holds uicelings for debates and literary exercises, and is in a flomishing con- 
dition. 

Athol has two brass bands, — the Athol Band at the upper village, and the 
Citizens' Band of the lower villase. 



BANKS AND MANUFACTURES. 231 

The town hiis an uiliniralile lire department, consisting of three hose com- 
panies, two steamers and ti liook-and-ladder company, all well officered and 
manned. Water is supplied for tire purposes from tifty hydrants. The engin- 
eers of the department are J. F. Whitcomh, chief engineer; R. S. Horton, 
first assistant ; Adoiphus Bangs, second assistant ; W. H. Frost, clerk and 
treasurer. 

We take a little space for considering the i)usiiicss interests of Athol. In 
1854, Charles C. Bassett, Isaac Stevens, Lewis Thorpe, their associates and 
successors, were made a corporation by the name of the Miller's River Bank, 
to 1)0 established in Athol and located in the Depot Village. 

It commenced business in 1854, September 12, with a capital of $100,000. 
The first i)rcsident was John Boynton ; cashier, INIerrick H. Ainsworth. In 
185(5, Scth Hapgood succeeded Mr. Boynton as president, and Alpheus Hard- 
ing, Jr., was apixiintcd cashier in August of the siune year. Upon the death 
of ]\Ir. Hapgood, Isaac Stevens was chosen president. In August, 1857, the 
cajiital was increased to $150,000. March 1, 18G5, it was changed to the 
Miller's River National Bank, with same president and cashier. Capital, 
$150,000 ; surplus, $20,000. In January, 18GG, Alpheus Harding succeeded 
Isaac Stevens as president, and Albert L. Newman was appointed eashici-, 
which positions they still hold. Surplus at present time, $100,000. The suc- 
cessful establishment of this bank was largely due to the zealous efforts of 
Charles C. Bassett in its favor. 

The Athol Savings Bank was chartered Feb. 12, 18G7, and commenced 
business in March of that year. Charles C. Bassett is president ; J. S. Par- 
nienter, vice-president. Trustees, J. C. Hill, George T. Johnson, Lewis 
Thorpe, N. Richardson, C. C. Bassett, J. S. Parmenter, A. Harding, Ozi 
Kendall, W. H. Amsden, Athol; J. G. Mudge, Petersham; Rodney limit. 
Orange ; and J. W. Goodman, North Dana. Clerk and treasurer, Alpheus 
Harding. This bank has been admirably managed, has the entire confidence 
of its dcpo::itors and the community, and is an institution in which the citizens 
of Athol take commendable pride. 

The Athol National Bank was incorporated in 1874, and commenced business 
in the fall of that year with a paid-up capital stock of $100,000. Thonjas H. 
Goodspeed, president, and Charles A. Chapman, cashier. The president 
says : "Its business has been steady, and its establishment has, I think, without 
doubt, been a benefit to the town and an additional means of accommodation 
to the community. It owns a good banking-house, and its future prospects 
are promising for a good business and fair dividends." 

To the diversity of its manufactures Athol largely owes the thrift, enterprise 
and business prosperity which characterize the town. The settlers of the town 
early availed themselves of the abundant water-power furnished by Miller's 
River and Mill Brook. Whitney, in his "History of Worcester County," pub- 
lished in 1793, says : "There are in the town four grist-mills, six saw-mills, one 



232 TOWN OF ATHOL. 



rulliii^-iiiill iiiid one tiii)-li;iiiiin(M-." Aijoiit tliis tiiiu- scytlio winks were pstali- 
li.-hed l>y Lilly' & Stockwi.!!. The business w:is piirclmsecl about the year 1799, 
by Mr. Pciiey Sibley, who <'arriecl it on for many years. A cottou-factorv, one 
of the first built iu this part of the country, was erected as early as 1814. 
Al)i)ut the year 1813, Mr. Eliphalet Thorpe came to town and engaged in mak- 
ing paper, which business ho carried on for nearly forty years, employing a 
large number of hands for those days. He was succeeded in the business by his 
sons, Albert and Fcnno, who continued the business for about sixteen years. 
Stephen Ilarwood engaged in ihe manufacture of nails and afterwards in the 
scythe business. Among those who early contributed to the building up of the 
town were Timothy Htn-r !ind Paul Morse, who utilized the waters of Mill 
Brook, and built several mills and houses in what is now the upper village. 
Barber, iu his " Historical Collections of Massachusetts," says that in 1837 
there were 310,000 yards of cotton goods manufactured, and boots and shoes to 
the value of $58,741. 

The leading industry of the town, that in which the largest amount of cap- 
ital is invested, and which gives employment to the largest number of hands, 
is the manufacture of l)oots and shoes. There are five cst.ablishmcnts engaged 
in this business, producing goods to the value of nearly half a million dollars 
annually. Foremost in this Immch of industry is Mr. Charles M. Lee, who 
commenced the manufacture of shoes iu 1850, with a capital of about $100, 
Coinu; on foot to Boston to purchase his stock and returning to his father's firm, 
where he made his (irst shoes, making a few dozen pairs and selling them to 
the merchants of this and ailjoiuing towns. His brothers were connected with 
him in the manufacture of both boots and shoes for several years, but in 18fi9 
ho withdrew from partnership, and has since confined his attention solely to the 
manufacturing of shoes. He at once enlarged his factory, located on Main 
Street, in the lower village, and put in steam-power, the first that was used iu 
town. During the last ton years he has increased the dimensions of his factory 
seven times, and now gives employment to upwards of two hundred i)crsons, 
turning out, annually, shoes to the value of more than $200,000, forming the 
most important industry of the town, being one of the largest, if not the 
largest establishment of the kind in the world that is controlled by one man. 
M. L. Lee & Co. are engaged in the mmufacturo of men's, boys' and youth's 
kip boots. Their factory is located iu the upper village, and their salesroom 
in Boston. They employ from sevent3'-five to one hundred and twenty-five 
hands, and their annual sales amount to $100,000. Solon W. Lee commenced 
his present business in 1877, and occupies a largo shop on Central Street, 
Avhere he gives employment to seventy-five hands, and his annual sales amount 
to ab-)ut $100,000. Less than seventy years ago the father of the Lees was 
making four or five pairs of boots and shoes a daj' ; now the sons are manufac- 
turing more than fifteen hundred pairs a day, and the annual business of the 
four Ijrothers amounts to nearly a million of dollars, including the products of 



MILLS AND FACTORIES. 233 



tlicir f-utorics in Athol niul sulesrooms in Boston. Mr. Ozi Kcnrlall may be 
considered as the pioneer boot manufacturer of the town, commencing busi- 
ness alone in 1834 on a small scale ; in January, 1856, his son George N. Ken- 
dall went in company with him, under the tirra-uame of O. Kendall & Son. 
]\Ir. Georijc N. Kendall dissolved his connection with the firm in 1875. The 
present firm consists of Mv. Ozi Kendall, Ira Y. Kendall and George S. Pond. 
Their business outgrew the buildings wiiere they first commenced, and a fine 
brick factory was erected on Exchange Street, in 1874, at a cost of $10,000. 
They manufacture calf boots to the value of $70,000 a year. The manufacture 
(jf furnitui-e in its various branches is a prominent business of the place. The 
census report of 1875 returns seven establishments that manufactured $172,000 
worth of goods. Among those engaged in this business are the South Athol 
IMannfacturing Company and the Eagle Furniture Company, located at South 
Athol, Lucien Fierce, Calvin Miller, and the Athol Furniture Company. In 
1851, Mr. Laban Morse commenced the wood-working business, and in 1SG9, 
wilh his sons, built their present factory. In 1871, they commenced the man- 
ufacture of Morse's Patent Folding Settees, invented by Henry T. ISIorse, and 
assigned, which have proved a great success, and arc now used in many of the 
large halls of the country. They are also engaged in the manufacture of cot- 
beds, cribs, cradles, &c., employing thirty hands and turning out about $40,000 
worth of goods yearly. Edwin Ellis established the door, sash and blind busi- 
ness in 1847 ; since the first ten years ho has made only sash and blinds. 
During the thirty-two years he has been in business he has never had a partner, 
and during that time has probably used from twelve to fifteen million feet of 
lumber. Mr. W. II. Amsden wms also extensively engaged in this business, in 
which he secured a handsome fortune, and has retired from active business, 
being succeeded by his son, Otho Amsden. Arthur F. Tyler does a good busi- 
ness in sash and blinds, and George S. Brewer, a young man who seems to have 
excellent business enterprise, has established a flourishing business in wood- 
turning. Messrs. Hapgood & Smith are extensively engaged in the manufact- 
ure of match splints, succeeding the late Lyman W. Ilapgood, who was engaged 
in the business fiom 1842 to 1874. Herbert L. Hapgood is also an inventor. 

The Miller's River Manufacturing Company was incorporated Dec. 1, 1863, 
wilh a capital of $40,000. It does an extensive business in the manufacture 
of horse-blanket cloth and satinet, the monthly production being 10,000 
yards of blanket-cloth and 10,000 yards of satinet ; fifty hands are employed. 
The company had its mill destroyed by fire in 1875, and a new one which 
was built in that year partially destroyed. In 1874, Messrs. C. C. Bassett and 
George T. Johnson bought out all of the stockholders, and continue the busi- 
ness at the present time. ]Mr. E. E. Partridge is also engaged in the manu- 
facture of satinet and horse-blanket cloth. 

The Athol Machine Company was established in 1868, with a capital stock 
of $25,000, for the purpose of manufacturing a meat and vegetable chopping 



234 TOWN OF ATHOL. 



machine and other articles invented and patented by L. S. Sturrett of Newbury- 
port, now of Athol. The company was composed of some of the most enterprising 
business men of the town. In 18G9, the capital stodc was increased to $50,000. 
Thcv have also added to their list of manufactured articles a full line of vises, 
which has become one of the leading vises in the market. Mr. D. W. Hough- 
ton commenced the foundry business in 1803, with Mr. A. Pierce ; in a few 
years he bought out i\Ir. Pierce's interest, and since then has done a flourishing 
business in the manufacture of the Novelty Printing-Prcss, and other iron 
work. Messrs. C. F. Richardson and G. M. Gerry are also engaged in the 
manufacture of various kinds of machinery. 

The manufacture of cotton duck is carried on i)y W. A. Fisher & Co. on 
the same spot where the cotton-factory of 1814 was built. Mr. Fisher took 
the business in 1805, and now employs seventy-fivo hands, who turn out five 
thousand yards of cloth per day, besides a large quantity of satinet and blanket 
warp. 

The bakery business established in 1856 by :\Ir. Theodore Locke, is now 
carried on by Mr. Cephas L. Sawyer, whose annual sales amount to froQi $30,000 
to $40,000. Twenty-five barrels of flour per week are used, and pedlars 
carry the products of the shop among the towns of Vermont, New ILunii.^liire 
and Western Massachusetts. 

A large business in the manufacture of wallets was established in 1871, by 
Palmer, Bates & Co., which for several years was ouc of the leading industries 
of the town, employing at one time one hundred and twenty-live persons. 
The firm has recently suspended, and the business has been started anew by 
Mr. James P. Bates. 

The woolen-waste business has been very largely carried on by the late 
David Smith, who accumulated a large fortune in the business, Abner Smith, 
and J. W. Sloan. It is now carried on by J. M. King, R. D. Leonard, W. 
D. Smith and others. 

The building of the Vermont and Massachusetts Railroad caused the town to 
rapidly develop. The new depot, erected in 1873, at a cost of more than $30,000, 
is an ornament to the town, and one of the finest between Boston and Albany. 
The constriKlion of the Athol and Enfield Railroad in 1871, which was later 
extended to Springfield, and is now called the Springfield and North-eastern 
Railroad, opened a new outlet, and has proved of great advantage to the busi- 
ness of the town. The town voted to take $!)0,(;o6 of stock, half of which 
was afterwards exchanged for first mortgage bonds, which saved the town 
much loss. The bonds have recently been sold. 

Music Hall, one of the finest public halls in the county, was destroyed by 
fire in the spring of 1875, and was an irreparable loss to the upper village. 

Dec. 18, 1845, a destructive freshet was caused by the breaking away of 
the dam at Ellis' Pond, which swept away many dams and buildings on Mill 
Brook. 



POST-OFFICES. 235 



The town has recently received a novel gift of $9,000 from Lyman Jennings 
of Erving, on certain conditions which the town has accepted. 

Few towns are as well provided with water, both for fire and domestic pur- 
poses, as is Athol. The Athol Water Company, a stock company with a ca[)ital 
of $80,000, was organized in 1876. AVorUs constructed and water introduced 
in November of that year. The water, which is pure and cool, is sup[)]ied liy 
springs and brooks in the western part of Phillipston, where the main 
reservoir, occupying about twenty acres, is located, five hundred feet above 
the lower village, and more than two hundred feet above the upper village. 
There are two distril)uting reservoirs, one situated a short distance east of the 
upper village, and the other south on Pleasant Street. From eight to ten 
miles of pipe are laid, which distributes the water through all parts of the 
villages. The company supplies the town with water for fire purposes from 
fifty hydrants, for which the towns pay $2,500 per annum, and the water is very 
largely used for domestic purposes, fountains, &c. Robert Wiley, president; 
Solon S. Wiley, treasurer; Joseph B. Cardany, superintendent. 

Gas was iutroduced into Athol in 1874, when the Athol Gas Light Company 
was organized with a capital of $40,000. Their works were constructed and 
pipes laid during the summer of that year. Adin H. Smith is president, and 
Solon L. Wiley, clerk and treasurer. 

Probiil)ly no town in the State, of the size, has as many miles of sidewalks 
as Athol. They are well constructed of brick and concrete. There is a 
continuous walk of about two miles, uniting the two villages through School 
Street. 

In the spring of 1871 the citizens had a controversy upon the subject of fire- 
steamers, and an unusual degree of feeling was manifested. Several town 
meetings were held, and at one meeting, immediately after the choice of 
moderator, an adjournmeut sine die was moved and ctirried. The majority of 
the voters of the town were with the citizens of the upper village (for the two 
villages were in opposition similar to that which existed upon the subject of 
the high school house), and their wishes were triumphant. But among the 
firemen there was always a zealous, hearty and cordial co-operatiou in case of 
an alarm. The introduction of the pure, cool spring water from Philiipstcm, 
has removed forever any sectional feeling upon the subject referred to above. 

The sulijcct which aroused the deepest intensity of feeling of any local 
matter which has agitated the town of late years was that in regard to the 
change of the nanies of the post-offices, Athol and Athol Depot, in the two 
villages. Space forbids giving a detailed history of the controversy. The 
first order changing the name was revoked, but, finally, on the fifteenth day of 
April, 187G, an order was issued by the postmaster-general that the change of 
names, Athol to Athol Centre, and Athol Depot to Athol, would go into effect 
upon the first day of July succeeding. It was fortunate for the town that the 
two postmasters, Thomas H. Goodspeed and Lucieu Lord, who still hold 



230 TOWN OF ATHOL. 



thfir offices, were men of uiKiuestioned iiitogrity, and possessed the confidence 
;iiid respect of their fellow-citizens. 

There are live principal localities where the people of Athol have buried 
their dead. The most ancient of these is what is known as the "Old Unrying 
Ground," situated on Mill Brook, about sixt}' rods south-east of the railroad 
slation; this was set apart for a burying-gronnd in 1741. This was used for 
nearly forty years, and here were laid to rest the first settlers of Athol. 
Nearly a century passed away, and the place where " the rude forefathers of 
the hamlet sleep" became almost unknown by their descendants. This was 
rescued from the oblivion to which it was fast hastening, by the town, and was 
reconsecrated July 4, 1859, when a granite monument was erected and 
appropriate exercises held. The second cemetery in point of antiquity, is the 
one near the covered bridge on the Orange Road, where rest the remtiins of 
the unfortunate Wallingford. This was probably used as early as 1746, and 
M'as given as a burying-gronnd by Samuel IMortou, one of the first five settlers. 
The old burying-gronnd in the upper village Is sacred as the burial-place of the 
venerable pastors of the First Church in Athol ; the earliest date engraven in 
that yard is Nov. 29, 1773. The first interments in the cemetery now used iu 
the upper village were made May 25, 1843 ; it contains several fine monu- 
ments. The Catholics also have a consecrated cemetery located in the upper 
village. Silver Lake Cemetery, the latest and largest of the cemeteries, was 
purchased by the town in 1873. It contains twenty-nine acres, is laid out iu 
tiie landscape-gardening style, and is beautifully situated, bordering on the 
lake from which it derives its name ; diversified with shady dells and elevations, 
and intersected with avenues and winding paths, it forms one of the most 
beautiful sleeping-places of the dead to be found in tlie county. It was 
dedicated May 10, 1877. 

According to the census of 187.'), the population of the town was 4,134 ; 
consisting of 1,0G2 families, living in 809 dwelling-houses. There were 936 
persons employed in 70 manufacturing establishments ; the products of manu- 
factured goods amounting to $1,387,955. There were 85 farms, valued at 
$308,380, the productions of which amounted to $103,885. The population of 
the town: 1776; 848; 1790, 848; 1800, 993; 1810, 1,041; 1820, 1,211; 
1830, 1,325; 1840, 1,591; 1850, 2,034; 1855, 2,395; 1860, 2,604; 1865, 
2,814; 1870,3,517; 1875,4,134. The valuation of the town, as returned 
by the assessors for 1879, is $2,200,090. Real estate, $1,941,860; personal 
estate, $528,301; polls, 1,163; dwellings, 846; horses, 439; cows, 455; 
sheep, 50. 

It is conceded that Athol has tlie best roads and bridges in this part of the 
State, and expends large sums of money annually to keep them in repair. 
There is one fine iron bridge spanning Miller's River. 

In the year 1857 Mrs. Sally Fish generously conveyed a tract of land 
containing about four acres to school district No. 7, for a public common, on 



NEWSPAPERS. 237 



condition tiiat tho district fit it up and take care of it. Tlio condition bus 
been complied witb. It is surrounded by a fence with stone posts, and orna- 
mented by numerous shade-trees. Mrs. Fish lives to see her broad acres, 
which, not many years ago, were divided into meadow, tillage and woodland, 
now covered with dwelling-houses, shops and stores, and crossed by streets 
and avenues. 

On the eighteenth day of December, 1827, the first newspaper was printed in 
this town by Alonzo llawson, on a sheet 18 by 2(5, twenty columns, subscription 
price $2 per year, $1.50 in advance. It was called "Freedom's Sentinel," and 
continued in existence for two years. On the seventh day of September, 1850, 
" The AVhite Flag," a 24-column weekly paper, printed on a sheet 23 by 30, was 
flung to the breeze, D. J. Mandell, editor and proprietor. "The White Flag" 
was soon furled, as Mr. jNIandcll states it had accomplished its mission. The 
Worcester AVest "Chronicle" was the next paper published in this town, the 
first numl)er beiug issued on the twenty-eighth day of November, ISGG, 
R. William Waterman, publisher and proprietor. It is now a paper of forty- 
eight columns, having been enlarged twice. Its motto is, "Open to all, influ- 
enced b}' none." No change hiis ever taken place in its ownership or manage- 
ment. The proprietor, a practical printer, has, by his persistency and great 
industry, achieved success in all the departments of his business. The Athol 
"Transcript," Republican in politics, was first published on the thirty-first day of 
January, 1871, by E. F. Jones & Co. ; Dr. V. O. Taylor, editor. Afterwards 
Col. George II. Iloyt became part owner, and chitf editor. The present 
proprietors are Smith, Hill & Co. Its editorials often attract the attention of 
the leading journals of New England, and extracts are frequently rcpuljlished 
from its columns. Wells L. Hill, editor. 

George II. Iloyt, a native of Athol, was born Nov. 25, 1837, a son of Dr. 
George Hoyt. He was one of old John Brown's counsel in Virginia in 1859. 
Early in 18(;i he enlisted in John Brown, Jr.'s company of sharpshooters, in 
Oliio ; afterward in the seventh Kansas cavalry, of which he was second 
lieutenant and captain. Subsequently he assisted in raising the fifteenth 
Kansas cavalry, of which he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel. After the 
war he was appointed brigadier-general by brevet, by President Andrew 
Johnson, for bravery at the battle of Newtonia. In 18G8 he was attorney- 
general of Kansas, residing at Topeka. He returned to his native town in 
1870 to reside permanently, and resumed the practice of law; took a very 
active and aggressive part in politics, and represented his district two 
consecutive years in the legislature ; possessed personal courage, and had many 
warm friends. He died Feb. 2, 1877. 

Charles H. Sweetser was born in Athol, Aug. 25, 1841 ; grandson of 
Samuel Sweetser, brother-in-law of Ex-Gov. Washburn ; a graduate of 
Amherst College; an able editor, of fine culture and brilliant intellect; author 
of " The History of Amherst College " ; founder of the "Round Table" in New 



238 TOWN OF ATHOL. 



York, one of the host niontlilics of the times; sttutcd tbc "Daily Mail"; in 
fact, (lid an immense amount of literary work during his short life, and died 
in Pilatka, Fla., January, 1871. 

lion. Benjamin Estabrook was born Nov. 23, 1803 ; died on the old Esta- 
brook place, Oct. 19, 1872, aged sixty-eight years ten months and twcnty-si.x 
davs. lie was the youngest son of Rev. Joseph Estabrook, who had seven 
children, — four boys and three girls. All the boys, excepting Benjamin, the 
youngest child, had a college education, and all the girls married : Lucy Gush- 
ing Estabrook to Col. Aimer Young, a near neighbor of the family; Marcia 
Estabrook married Theodore Jones, Esq., and she still lives, the proud and 
happy mother of a large fiimily, the youngest of whom is Jerome Jones, Esq., 
of Brookliiie ; and Fidelia Estabrook, who married Rev. Preserved Smith, 
who, although nearly ninety 5-ear3 old, still survives. The boys were named 
Turner Estabrook, E-iq., who went South, and died early ; Gen. Nathaniel C. 
Estabrook, who died at a good old age at Leominster; Joseph IL Estabrook, 
M. D., now living in Rieklaiid, Me., upwards of eigiity years of age; and 
Benjamin. He was the worthy son of so distinguished a father. In all the 
ofBies he held, there never was a question raised as to his faithfulness, honesty 
and capability. His advice and counsel were constantly sought by his fellow- 
citizens, as was his father's before him. He loved his town, his state, and his 
country, and was true as steel to his friends. His father us; d to be somewhat 
proud of his English origin entire, and the son was a good representative of 
the best New England type of the old school. In politics, he was a Democrat. 
A beautiful monument of Scotch granite has been erected over his grave. 
liequiescai in jxice. 

Calvin Kelton was born in .\th()l in ISOG, and died Nov. 21, 18G8, aged 
sixty-two years. He was honored and beloved by his fellow-townsmen. His 
executive ability as a town ofHccr was remarkable. He was chairman of the 
board of selectmen many years, and represented his town in the legislature. 
His character was unspotted, his influence for good extensive, and, when he 
died, the whole town was in mourning for the great loss. 

Capt. Francis Twichell, always overflowing with wit and good nature, was the 
founder of a distinguished family. Sylvanus E. and Simeon F. deceased, and 
the Hon. Ginery Twichell of Brookline, distinguished as mail-carrier, pro- 
jector of lines of staging, manager of railroads, agriculturist and member of 
Congress, belong to his family. 

Rev. Geo. F. Humphrey is a lineal descendant of the first pastor of Athol. 

Space forbids us to continue our biographies. Athol has within its limits 
the descendants of nearly all the old families, and each limb is connected to the 
original trunk by fibres of historic interest. 

The following physicians are found among us :— James P. Lynde, senior 
physician, who holds the office of medical examiner; Hemy A. Deanc, 
appointed examining surgeon for United States pensions; James Oliver, Jr., 



EMINENT MEN. 239 



bfig.'ulo surgeon in the war of the Rebellion ; and Ilervey O. Dunbar (allo- 
pathists) ; S. H. Colburn (homoeopatliist). William F. Whitman, who has a 
medical institute, is widely known throughout all this section of country as 
a clairvoyant. 

Among those born in Athol who have graduated from college are Jesse 
Stratton (1814, Williams), died, 1870, aged seventy-six; William La Roy 
Haven (1804, Williams); Joel Drury Miller (18G4, Williams); Frederic 
Eugene Stratton (1871, Williams); Henry II. Spragne (1864, Harvard); 
George A. Black (1879, Harvard) ; John Wiswell Humphrey (1823, Williams), 
died 1845, aged 44; John Drury, Jr., (Williams). 

Town Officers for 1879. — William W. Fish, Gilbert Southard and Wilson 
D. Smith, selectmen; Enoch T. Lewis, treasurer; J. Sumner Parmenter, 
clerk. 

Trial Justices, Samuel M. Osgood and Enoch T. Lewis. 

Deputy/ Sheriff, Gardiner Lord. 

Athol is constantly receiving, from (he surrounding towns, business men in 
the prime of life, with capital, who ccmtribute to the growth and prosperity of 
the town. The public buildings are not as costly as in many towns. Pitts 
C. Tyler has lately constructed a fine hall, opposite the depot. The dwellings 
are good, and several new and elegant residences have been built within the 
few years last past. Lee's Block and Masonic Block are substantially con- 
structed of brick. Among those who have been constant, in season and out 
of season, to promote the growth of Athol are: John C. Hill, manufacturer; 
Ethan Lord, large land-holder and miller; Addison M. Sawyer, inventor; 
Albert G. Moulton, railroad director; Jonathan Drury, lumber dealer, who 
has built many dwelling-houses between the villages ; Charles M. Lee, manu- 
facturer ; James M. Lee, livery ; Charles W. Woodward, builder; Charles W. 
Davenport, Joseph B. Cardany, and numerous other residents and many unn- 
residents. Athol has three hotels, one bearing the historic name of Pcquoig. 

The author is indebted to the Centennial address of Rev. S. F. Clark for 
many facts of historic interest. He also thanks Mr. Waterman for his kind- 
ness in permitting him to make extracts from the Centennial history written 
by the author for the columns of the "Chronicle." L. B. Caswell has also 
rendered very valuable aid in the collection of facts and preparation of manu- 
script. And to all who have taken an interest in the history of Athol, and 
furnished information, the author extends cordial thanks. 



240 TOWN OF AUBURX. 



AUBURN. 



Br GEORGE A. STOCKWELL, A. M-. 



CHAPTER I. 



LOCATION AND PHYSICAL FEATUriES POLL-PAEISU AND TOWN THE WAPv OF 

THE i:evolutiox. 

The town of Auburn lies hard l)y the heart of the Commonwealth. The 
northern point of its territorial figure — a hexagon — is within a mile of the 
densely populated parts of the southern ward of Worcester. The town of 
Leicester, high among the hills, with its sentinel church-spire, is on the west; 
Oxford embraces the southern angle ; and the eastern boundary is the western 
limit of the town of j\Iilll)ury. The distance from Worcester is six miles, 
and from l>oston, fifty-one. The land surface is varied and picturesque ; hill 
succeeds hill, here abrupt and there gradual in descent, wood-capfied, pastmed 
or tilled, with valleys between, broad, brook-fed and fertile. On the north, 
extending into Worcester, is Pakachoag Hill ; the most extensive as well as 
the most fertile elevation in the township ; known to eaily history as the resi- 
dence of Sagamore John, and as the place of one of the larger settlements of 
the Xipmucks. The inhabitants of this Indian village, incited by King Philip, 
who visited Pakachoag in 1()75, and led by Sagamore John, participated in the 
attack on Quaboag, now Brooklield, in 1G75. On this hill, also, near its 
northern limit, in a house now standing, lived Peter Slater, "one of ye loyal 
men," who took an active part in the destruction of the tea in Bostou hiubor. 
Tiic plain on the summit of Pakachoag, and its northern and southern bIo[)Cs, aiu 
well adapted to the prosecution of agriculture, but its south-western descent 
is less productive and less tilled. 

In the western part of the town, now without an inhabitant, is Crowl Hill, 
so called from Capt. John Crowl, an early, and perhaps the original settler 
on that site; who reared, it is said, a family of giants. Farther south, tilling 
the south-eastern angle, and swelling the territory of Oxford is Prospect Hill, 
from the summit of which the view of the surrounding country is extensive and 
interesting. On this hill, on the farm formerly owned by Jesse Eddy, was a 
wind grist-mill, in operation previous to 1812, on which the farmers in that 



LOCATION AND SURFACE. 241 

neighborhood tlcpciidod tor the grinding of their grain. Tho stones used in 
this mill v.'orc brought from Capo Cod, and in 1812 were taken by Joseph Stone 
for his grist-mill on the Mannexit [FrcnchJ River in North Oxford. 

(lood farming land is found on Prospect Hill, and to its cultivation and im- 
l)rovi'nient, the dwellers thereon are chiefly devoted. The eastern and southern 
parts of the town, where are prominent landmarks and elevations not specially 
named, differ little from tho rest of tho township in respect to irregularity of 
surface and beauty of natural scenery. 

The water supply is abundant. The outlets of the various ponds, either 
alone or by contluence, furnish more power than is improved. The Blackstone 
River, rising in West Millbury on the east, flows northerly through Auburn and 
here begins its great work as a motor. Eddy Pond, in the southern territory, 
in the flush of spring sends a brook to the south that joins the French River in 
Oxford ; also a perennial stream to the north, called Dark Brook, that unites 
with tl:e Blackstone in Drury's Pond near the railway station. Dark Brook, 
although formerly supplying power for a card-mill, a scythe-mill, and a bat- 
tinsi-mill, now runs idly away, playing with broken dikes and dilapidated 
sluiceways, and with the exception of toying with a puny grist-mill, escapes 
the town unmolested. Kettle Brook, fed by a stream rising in the western part 
of the town, and by another that has its rise in Leicester, flows southerly 
through Stoneville — a village in the west — and joins the Blackstone in the 
valley below. The French River does not touch the territory of Auburn. 
Besides Smith's Reservoir, a storage basin on the west, there are several natural 
ponds, and, although small, yet the aggregate gives the town its full comple- 
ment of water surface. 

This " most excellent tract of land," as a certain writer terms tho township of 
Auburn, belonged, previous to 1773, to the towns of Worcester, Leicester, 
Oxford and Sutton, respectively; and the part taken from Worcester was in 
the limits of Leicester until Juno 2, 1758. On June 23, 1773, what is now 
Auburn was "erected into" a poll-parish, and was called the South Parish of 
Worcester. This precinct, measured from the site chosen for the new mecting- 
Ijonse — the present common — and '"along the roads then traveled, extended 
three miles into Worcester, three into Leicester, three into Oxford, and one 
and a half into Sutton." 

The warrant for the first parish meeting was addressed to David Bancroft, 
Benjamin Carter, John Hart, Samuel Eddy, and Thomas Drury ; and was 
signed by John Chandler, a justice of the peace under George III. The meet- 
ing called by this warrant was held at the house of Thomas Drury, innholder, 
(where all parish meetings were held until the house of worship was built,) on 
July G, 1773. Jacob Stevens was chosen precinct clerk: Comfort Rice, Alex- 
ander Nichols, Benjamin Carter, John Hart, precinct committee and assessors ; 
Jonathan Stone, treasurer, and Thomas Baird, collector. The first warrant 
issued by the parish committee reads thus : — 



242 TOWN OF AUBURN. 



" July 27 1773 Worcester s.s. to Mr. Jacob Stevens Parish Clark You are hearby re- 
quired to notifi and warn tlic Inhabitence of a Parish lally Set of from Worcester Sut- 
ton oxford Icstor qualified by law to vot in Parish Affairs to meat atthe hous of tbomas 
Drury gunyour inliolder in Worcestor in said Parish tuesday ye 27 Day of August to 
Act on the following articals 1 to chucs A moderator for said raeeling. 2 to See what 
niathod Said Parish will com into to proviile prcching for the present. 3 to See what 
said Parish will towards bulding a meting hous or to act there on as said Parish se fit. 
Hear of fcail not and make due retarn of your doings here in t.) us the subscribers on 
or before the said 27 Day of August witness our hands and seals this 27 Day of July 
1773_ Comfort Rice, 

Alexander Nichols, 
Bekjamin Cauter, 
John IIaut, 

Parish Committee. 

Worcfister s.s. August the 27 1773 in obedience to the within Worent I have notified 
and warnd the votcbcl inhabitence of said parish to meat at time and plais to act on 
said articals per nie Jacob Stevens, Parish Clark." 

Of the first parissh niccliii<r after the election of ofEccrs the following is the 
record : — 

" August ye 27 at a legal meting 1 chose 5Ir. David Baincroft moderator for said 
meting. 2 voted to begin Preaching as soon as may be. 3 voted to chues a comraitty 
to provide prcching. 4 voted to chucs fife chos Mr Jonathan Stone, alexander 
Nichols, Benjamin Cartor, Andrew Croul, David Beancroft artical 3 voted to buld A 
meting house, voted to chues A comuiitty to draw a plan, voted to chucs Seven, chos 
mr. Charles Richardson Oliver Curtis Jonathan Stone timothy Cartor John Cronl 
Samuel Eddy Petor Hardy, voted agourn this meting to the last day of this month, 
upon Agournment voted to except the report of the committy for Bulding A meting 
house 50 by 40 and 24 feat posts, voted to chues a committy to lot out the tirabor and 
See the same to the spot, voted to chues fife, furst chose mr. Charles Richardson John 
Croul Jonathan Stone Samuel Eddy Petor Boyden A Committy. The foregoing vots 
pased at said meting. Atest David Bancroft moderator." 

In March of the following year it was voted " to byeld one Porch to the 
Parish Meting hous"; in March of the nc.\t year— 1775 — the lot immedi- 
ately south of the church was chosen for a " buring yard." 

On March 29, 1777, it was voted in parish meeting "to petition the General 
Cort to be Sett off as a Town," and a coinmittee consisting of David Hancroft, 
Benjamin Carter, Captain John Crowl, Charles Richardson and John Crowl, 
Jr., was chosen to present the petition to the General Court and to appear in 
its behalf. It was also voted, probably on account of the expense, that only 
three of the committee should "wait upon the Court at a time." 

The petition was granted and the South Parish of Worcester, having the 
requisite number of families — thirty or more — was incorporated as a town, 
April 10, 1778, and named Wakh, in honor of Artemas Ward, the "first 
in;ijor general of the army of the Revolution." 



EARLY PROCEEDINGS. 243 



The incorporation of the town, as well as the erection of (lie precinct, met 
■u'itli mucli apposition, especially on the Worcester side, and the separation 
was cflcctcd only l)y persistent and continued cliort. 'J lie boundaries of tho 
new town were nearly coincident with those of the parish ; htit in the survey 
for the township several families were included in the former that were not ia 
the latter, and vice verm. The act of iiicorponition provided that those fami- 
lies might retain their relations to the towns of tlicir original settlement until 
they petitioned in writing to be joined to the new town. The families, or per- 
sons thus provided for were : Samuel Curtis, David Bigclow, William Elder, 
Benjamin Carter, Levi Chapin, John Elder, Joseph Clark, Moses Bancroft, 
John Savory, Lewis Stone, Abel Ilolman, Samuel Traft, Jal)ez Stockwell, 
Joseph Pratt, the widow Mary Bigelow, Stoplicn H.ilmau, and the widow of 
Johnson Watson. In 1820, ten persons living in the northern part petitioned 
the General Court to be re-annoxed to Worcester. The petitioners were given 
leave to withdraw, and until 1850 (although, by virtue of this provision in the 
act of incorporiition they were citizens of AYorcester, and exorcised rights 
there) were subject to duties in this towni; and at the present time, by the 
same provision, persons living in the limits of Oxford, vote and pay taxes in 
Auburn. 

When the town of AVard M'as vested with tiie powers, privileges, and immu- 
nities of other municipalities, the American Colonies were contending with the 
English foe ; the contest for liberty had only begun ; independence had been 
declared, but it had yet to be made good and to be maintained. Five years 
of fighting followed ; and, during this time the town of Ward, as will be seen, 
endured to the utmost, and was not lacking in patriotism and more substantial 
tokens of its sympathy in and with the common cause. The names, or num- 
ber of all, either of parish or town, who served in the war, cannot bo ascer- 
tained. Jonathan Stone was a member of Timothy Bigolow's cf)mpany of 
minnto-mon that marched from Worcester on April 19, 1775; and his son, 
Jonathan Stone, Jr., afterwards made lioutonaut, marched at tlie same time 
with Benjamin Flagg's company. 

Tho iirst call for a town meeting was addressed to Edward Davis, justice of 
the peace, who was empowered to issue his warrant directed to "some 
principal inhabitant," who should warn those qualified to vote to assemble and 
choose officers. Thomas Drury, "yeoman," was, it appears, a "principal 
inhabitant," and from his warning the first meeting was held on May 4, 1778, 
and the following officers elected : jModerator, Edward Davis ; Selectmen, 
Charles Richardson, Samuel Edd}^ Nathan Patch, John Ilart, Jonathan Cutler; 
Assessors, Nathaniel Scott, Daniel Griffith, Comfort Rice; Clerk, John 
Prentice ; Treasurer, Jonathan Stone ; Highway Surveyors, Jonas Nichols, 
Israel Phillips, Thomas Scott, Timothy Carter : Tything-men, Peter Hardy, 
John Prentice ; Committee of Correspondence, Inspection and Safety, David 
Bancroft, William Phipps, Thomas Baird ; Ilog-recves, Daniel Fitts, Jacob 



244 TOWN OF AUBURN. 



Stevens ; Fence-viewers, Jonas Bancroft, Darius Boyilcn ; Field-drivers, 
Oliver Curtis, Jonathan Stone, Jr. 

At this time the swine ran at lari!:e, sometimes yoked and ringed, and hence 
the necessit}' of reeves, drivers and fence-viewers. The common red deer, ( Cer- 
vus Virginianus,) abounded to such an extent that deer-reeves were appointed, 
and, althouirh such officers were not chosen at the first meeting, they were 
elected at different times subsequently. The duties of the committee of 
inspection and safety were the same as those of similar committees appointed 
in other towns at the beginning of the war ; namely, to keep the town informed 
of the doings of Congress, State government and of other towns; also, to keep 
a strict watch of suspected Tories, and to report their names to a "Vigilance 
Committee" of the State, that they might be proceeded against if their conduct 
was worthy of notice " ; also, after the passage of the Bill of Rights, to sec that 
no British goods, especially tea and molasses, were used by the inhabitants ; 
and, again, to take or devise any measures necessary for the safety of the 
town. 

At the first meeting of the town the only business transacted was the election 
of officers. At the second, held on ilay 21, 1778, the warrant contained this 
article : "To sec what sums of money the Town will grant to support preaching 
in .s'd Town. For reparation of highwaj's. And defra3-ing other Town 
charges for the Coui'ant j'car. Also what moncj' the Town will raise to apply 
to the purpose of luring men to serve in the armj' in behalf of s'd Town." It 
"was voted to raise £12.5 to support preaching; also £100 for repairing high- 
waj's, and £500 for hiring men " into the army." Thus it will bo seen that at 
the first meeting the first grant was to provide for the standing order, and 
that the largest grant was in behalf of the Revolution. 

On Aug. 26, 1779, Capt. Samuel Eddy was chosen a delegate to the 
Cambridge Convention to assist in framing a Bill of Rights and Constitution. 

In October, 1779, Captain John Crowl, of the committee for hiring men 
into the public service, "exhibited an account for Expenditures in s'd Trust, 
namely: For 2 men to Rhode Island, £120; for 3 men for 9 months, at 90 
bush, of corn each, £972 ; for 2 men to Rhode Island, £90." At the same 
meeting it was voted to raise £1,064 for hiring soldiers. 

At a meeting held on May 1, 1780, a committee "appointed by the town of 
Ward to set forth and exhibit j'e sentiments of s'd town respecting a proposed 
Constitution and form of government for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts," 
reported thus : 

" Voted, That we cordially approve of s'd Constitution as to the substance thereof as 
■what appears to us to be Salutarj- and well adapted. 

" 2ud. We beg leave however (with due deforence to the Convention) to Suggest 
that we look upon ye great disproportion proposed in the matter of representation 
between greater and lesser Towns inercl}' on ^'c account of numbers to be pregnant 
with dangerous Cousequenccs with respect to some very important matters therefore 



PATRIOTIC ACTION. 245 



we could heartily wish that iv|)rt'SPiitatioii niitiht be weighed by ye innnber of polls, 
whieh would be similar to ye proceedings ot'yc llon'ble Cougress and some ueighboring 
well regulated States that have been attended with very wholesome ctfects, and that 
■wo arc grcatl^v dissatisfied with the long terra of 15 years proposed for the run of a 
constitution previous to any revision, aracndmcnt, or alteration for that we conceive 
the most wise and wholesome Sistem of Gov't supposable must be likely to need some 
alteration, or amendment, at least as to certain appendages in less than half yc No. 
of 15 j-cars ; and wc pray the matter may bo duly Considered and we hope to be 
pardoned in thus freely opening our tbots in these affairs. Rosppctfully submitting 
these matters therefore to the wisdom and candor of that veneralile bod}' we .shall 
rejoice to sec the happifying Establishment of Gov't completed as soon as may be." 

At the first election of state officers in 1780 the town gave thirty-four votes 
for John Hancock for governor, and twenty-nine for Artcmas Ward for 
lieutenant-governor. 

On October 12, 1780, the town voted to "raise the sum of £4,215 to be 
assessed and collected forthwith to purchase the Quantity of Beef for ye 
army"; and in December following £8,094 was appropriated for the same 
purpose. In August, 1781, the committee on hiring soldiers reported having 
" Engaged one man for Rhode Island for five months for fifty Bush, of Rie 
and three men elsewhere for three months at 45 dollars specie." 

In the spring of 1781, when the town, like many or all others, was strug- 
gling with an inflated currency and a depleted treasury, and when, apparently, 
the last farthing of public money had been demanded and obtained by tlie State, 
the General Court called upon the town to furnish five men for the public ser- 
vice ; and in this strait, sore pressed as they were, the inhabitants grumbled 
not, but renewed their exertions with "willing minds," as the following will 
show : The committee for furnishing recruits reported that, "Considering the 
importance of the present requisition from Authority for recruiting the Con- 
tinental Army which we desire ever to Keep in Vieio as an Object of the Most 
interesting of any Affair that respects things of Temporary Consideration" it 
was expedient to ofl'er to "any man to the number of five £100 hard money, or 
18 calves of middling value, and those calves keep free of charge to them during 
the term of three yeai's service, and 50 silver dollars to each man on his march 
to supply him with pocket money, and that at the expiration of such term of 
sei'vice to deliver those calves at what age they may have arrived." Phincas 
Parsons and Timothy Buxton immediately accepted the cash offer, and John 
Todd that of the calves ; later two other men were secured, and the quota 
was full again. 

In the same year the town passed the following resolutions "respecting the 
non-admittance of those persons Commonly Called Absentees, or Refugees, 
alias Tories into these American States," in consequence of similar resolves 
passed by the town of Boston and sent to the town of Ward : "And therefore 
resolved that the town doth highly approve of the sentiments contained in those 



246 TOWN OF AUBURN. 



Resolves aud do expect and enjoin it upon the committee of correspondence 
inspection and safety of this town and their successors to use their utmost vig- 
ilance to detect any of those miscreants who may presume to re-enter this land 
of freedom and mingle with the children of Liberty contrary to the laws thereof. 
Resolved that on every principle, moral, natural, civil, and social, the prohibition 
of their becoming Denizens of these states must and ought to he absolute and 
perpetual. And even the softer passions of pity and compassion forbid their 
return to this country since should they be found thereon we have the greatest 
reason to expect many of the citizens would feel themselves impelled from a 
remembrance of the wanton cruelty and barbarity which thoy have experienced 
immediately at their hands, or by their chicanery and instigation, to retaliate 
even to tiie Death of the object of their resentment, so that on the one hand 
our Land thereby might again become the theatre of bloodshed and on the 
other, those miserable wretches would make their sudden exit to the world of 
spirits for which we have reason to fear, they are but illy prepared ; therefore 
avaunt ; ye ingrates, we say ! Begone, and abide the consequences of your own 
choosing. Resolved the town clerk be and hereby is directed to enroll a fair 
copy of these resolutions with the records of the town, there to abide a standing 
remembrance of the Sentiments of this town on the subject." 

In the insurrection of 1787 Capt. Jonah Goulding, afterwards colonel in the 
State mililia, led his company to Worcester, surrounded the court house and 
prevented Judge Artemas Ward opening court. For this he was imprisoned 
according to his own account, "forty days and forty nights," and in addition, 
was threatened with hanging. 

In 1837 the name of the town, owing to its similarity to "Ware "and the 
consequent confusion in the transmission of letters, was changed to Auburn. 



CHAPTER II. 

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY SCHOOLS AND LIBRARY — MANUFACTURING INTER- 
ESTS THE CIVIL WAR EMINENT MEN. 

J^s alread}' given, the first act of the incorporate town was to grant money 
for religions purposes. The church edifice was l)egun in 1773, and, although 
oci ti|)ied in 177G, was not completed as late as 1786 ; owing, doubtless, to the 
"unliirnishcd condition" of the treasury. Many of the town warrants con- 
tained articles in regard to the completion of the house, and that for March 2, 
1779, this: "To see if the town will give order to have the meeting-house 
fully finished with convenient speed, or forthwith." 

The original house of worship had neither belfry nor steeple ; these have 




C. W. Jt J. K. SMITH S .MILL, AUBUKX M 




MAMFACTORY OF C. W. & J. l',. SMITH, BAHKi:, MA 



CHURCH HISTORY. 247 



been added, and the edifice now is of the prcviuling Congregational type. It 
stands, Aicing tlie common, a low rods west of its first site. The church was 
organized on January 25, 1776, and a committee appointed to secure a gospel 
minister. Mr. Josiah Allen declined the call of the town and society, and Mr. 
James Reed also, although the latter was offered one thousand bushels of corn 
and thirty cords of wood, annually, for his support during his continuance in 
the pastoral ofHcc. On December 30, 17S2, it was voted "to have a Weekly 
Contribution on each Lord's Day we shall have public AVorship, for the pur- 
pose of supplying the pulpit ; and that said committee collect and a])ply the 
same accordingly. And that such money as may be enclosed in paper and 
marked with yo sum and Contributor's name to bo allowed and discounted to 
the amount thereof on the Ministerial tax of Such Contributor." This was the 
first step in this town tow.ards the separation of Church and State. 

There was no settled pastor till 1784, when, on October 11, the town con- 
curred with the church in ordaining Mr. Isaac Bailey, on November 3. Mr. 
Bailey was given "£G0 in settlement and £G0 annually, including twenty-five 
cords of wood," which was "put up at vendue," at town meeting. Mr. Bailey 
remained until his death in 1S14. Ilis successors were : Enoch Pond, 1815 to 
1828; Minor G. Pratt, 1828 to 1848; Charles Chambcrlin, 1851 to 1853; 
L. I. Hoadlcy, 1854 to 1858 ; Darwin Adams, 1858 to 18G0 ; Charles Kendall, 
18G0 to 18GG; D. W. Richardson, 18G6 to 18G8 ; George French, 18G8 to 
18G9 ; Elnathan Davis, 18G0 to 1879. The hundredth anniversary of the for- 
mation of the Congregational Church was celebrated on Jan. 26, 1876. 

In 1815, on February 9, a Baptist Church was organized in the western part 
of the town, at a place called Warrenville. The letters-missive, inviting the 
churches in Thompson, Conn., Sturbridge, Charlton, Worcester and Sutton 
to meet at the house of Jonah Goulding to fellowship a number of their faith 
and order in Ward anil Oxford, were issued by the church in Sutton. Jonah 
Goulding and Samuel Warren were leaders in this movement, gave the com- 
munion service and the land for the house of worship, which they built. At 
the death of the former, the church received a legacy of $158.47. Dr. Jona- 
than Going of Worcester often supplied the pulpit, either in person or by young 
men then preparing for the ministry under his tuition. The pastors of this 
church were : Elders Isaac Dwinell, Elias McGregory and John Paine. The 
latter served the society for ten years till 1837, when it was disbanded, the 
majority of the members uniting with others to form the North Oxford Baptist 
Church. The house of worship, which stood where the burial-yard now is, 
was removed, used for a tannery, and afterwards burnt. 

In 1870, a Catholic mission was established, and a chapel built at Stoneville, 
by the St. John's Society of Worcester. 

The educational interests of the town received early attention. On JIarch 
29, 1779, £200 was appropriated for school purposes, and, in the same year, 
the town was divided into five school squadrons or districts. Later, there was 



248 TOWN OF AUBURX. 



iin article in the town warrant "to see if the town will hold a school about the 
centre, specially and particularly for instruction of ye youth in writing, ciphcr- 
ering and spelling orthograi)hioally." The first school conunittee was a|)pointcd 
on May 4, 1780, and consisted of Jonathan Stone, Darius Bo^'dcn, Jesse Stone, 
John Prentice and Andrew Crowl. The town is now divided into six districts ; 
the number of pupils is about one hundred ; the school buildings and property 
tire valued at six thousand five hundred dollars, and the last appropriation for 
schools was one thousand five hundred dollars. 

A public library was founded in 1872 by William Craig, who bequeathed to 
the town one thousand dollars for a library, on condition that a like amount, 
for the same purpose, was appropriated by tiie town. The library contains 
about eight hundred volumes, and is supported by the increase of the fund, 
and l)y town grants. 

At the settlement of the town, and indeed for many years thereafter, the 
only cluster of houses was near the church and connnon, on the summit of a 
hill near the centre of the township; and, with respect to the number of dwell- 
ings and inhabitants at this centre, there has been little change in a hundred 
years. It is, however, a neat and trim, well-shaded village, and its appearance 
betokens thrift and comfort. Fifty years ago, there were two classes in town ; 
namely, the aristocrac}' and the yeomanry. Oidy the farmer class exists at 
the present time. 

From the centre radiate four roads, — north, cast, south and west; and on 
these and their branches, despite the frequent cropping out of iMeriimac 
schist and gneiss, are the farms and tilled lands that make Auburn what it 
claims to be, — a producing, agricultural district. The adjacent hills were 
occupied at the incorporation of the town, and to-day some are held by the 
lineal male descendants of the first settlers. The soil is a dark, strong loam, 
jzrowing lighter in the soulhcrn part of the town, and produces abundantly. 

North of the centre, distant two miles, on the eastern slope of the highlands, 
is Stoueville, a neat manufacturing village on Kettle Brook. Here, for many 
years previous to 1835, was a fulling-mill, built and operated by Samuel Clark, 
where cloth, made on hand-looms, was dressed. In 1835, or thereabouts, 
Jeremy Stone built, a few rods below the old mill on Kettle Brook, the present 
stone structure, now used for a cotton-mill. This was intended for a woolen- 
mill, but contained at first only fulling machinery. After the death of Jeremy 
Stone, the property was sold to Loring F. Perry, on Sept. 14, 1839. 
Rufns Hastings was the next owner, and on Feb. 2, 1842, the Stoneville 
Manufacturing Company, of which Rufus Hastings was president and A. L. 
Ackley agent, bought the mill and village. John C. Farnum & Co. were in 
possession in 1857, and then failed. On June 4, 1851), John Smith of Barro 
bought the entire property, and his sons, C. W. & J. E. Smith of Wor<;es- 
tor, are now owners and operators. Cotton sheeting is made here, and one 
hundred and twenty thousand yards arc produced per month, with the aid of 



WAR OF EEBELLION. 249 

four thousand eiglit liuiulrc-d spiiullcs and seventy-five operatives. In the 
same village, owned by the same liiiu and operated hy II. INI. Witter & Co., 
is a, worsted-mill, employing two thousand five hundred warps, seventy-five 
operatives, and making one hundred and fifty thousand yards of tape and 
trimmings a day. 

In the eastern part of the town, on the Blackstone, is Larnedville, built and 
owned i)y 1). F. Larned, a resident of Auburn. This privilege was occupied, 
a iiundred or more years ago, by Charles Richardson, who had a saw and grist 
mill here. He was succeeded by his son, Joseph Richardson, of whom Leon- 
ard Rice bought the property on Dec. 29, 18137. Anson S:inl)orn was 
afterward in possession, and sold to John Densmore, who rebuilt, improved 
and enlarged both dam and buildings. Otis N. Pond was the next owner, and 
was succeeded by Philander Pond. Afterward the firm-name was Pond & 
Larned ; then Baker & Rhodes, W. Baker & Co., and Baker & Larned. B. F. 
Larned is now sole proprietor of mill and village, sind manufactures satinets 
and union cassimeres, of which thirty-five thousand yards a month are pro- 
duced by means of sixty operatives, and four sets of machinery. 

At Drury's Pond one mile north of the centre of the town was formerly a 
flour and grist mill, and, later, a shoddy and sav/ mill. This is not now im- 
l)rovcd. Near this place is the station of the Norwich and Worcester branch 
of the Hartford and Erie Railroad, opened March 14, 1838. The track enters 
the town on the north, at the foot of Pakachoag Hill and skirts it to the south. 
The Boston and Albany Railroad enters the western territory of the town, but 
has no station within it. 

In the western part of the town, at Warrenville, is a tannery, established 
over a hundred years ago, now operated by John Warren, a descendant of the 
original founder. 

Auburn was a post-town in 1825, and at that time the post-office was at the 
centre, in the store of Zebulon Cary, who was postmaster. lie was followed 
in this office by Lyman Gale, Minor G. Pratt, E. M. Knowles, AVilliam Bunce 
and Alvin Howe, the present postmaster. In 1842, the office was removed 
to the railroad station, and is now near it in a dwelling-house. 

In the war of the Rebellion, Auburn contributed ninety-seven men ; five 
more than required by the State. The first town meeting held to consider war 
measures, was called on May G, 18G1, when one thousand dollars was voted 
on behalf of the war. On June G, of the same year, the town voted to send 
five dollars to each volunteer then in service. On July 26, 1862, a bounty of 
one hundred and fifty dollars was offered by the town, and increased l)y private 
subscription to one hundred and seventy-five dollars. At the same meeting a 
committee of six, one in each school district, was chosen to " encourage en- 
listments." On Aug. 23, 1862, the town offered one hundred dollars to 
those who entered the service for nine months, and to this amount was added 
five dollars from private purses. In 1864, the bounty voted was one hundred 



250 TOWN OF AUBURN. 



ami tweiity-fivc dollars, and so remained till the close of the war. The total 
war expenses amounted to four thousand live hundred and thirty-five dollars, 
besides three thousand six hundred and eighty dollars raised by private sub- 
scription. A granite shaft was erected in 1870, in the lower cemetery, 
to the memory of those who lost their lives in the service of the United States. 
It bears these names: B. B. Jennison, Rhodes Stafford, William Hart, Wd- 
liam II. Legg, E. D. Stowell, Daniel L. Ilewett, Edward B. Stowell, George 

F. Newton, George S. Williams, George D. Rice, Henry G. Newton, James 
Dolligan, Joseph Delany, John G. Bean, i\I. M. Loveriug. 

Auburn has been represented in the General Court by Capt. Samuel Eddy, 
in 1787 ; Joseph Stone, 1788, 1806 ; Jonah Goulding, 1810, 1811 ; Recompense 
Gary, 1814, 1816; Samuel Boyden, 1829; Daniel Green, 1832, 1833; Minor 

G. Pratt, 1834; Edward Rice, 1835; Isaac Stone, 1836; Israel Stone, 1837; 
Samuel Eddy and Lewis Eddy, 1838 ; William Emerson, 1841 ; Ilervey Ban- 
croft, 1842; Thoaias Merriam, 1843; William Craig, Nathaniel Stone; A. L. 
Ackley, 1850, 1851; John Warren, 1853; Emory Stone, 1854; Marcus Bar- 
rett, i858; Elbridge G. Warren, 18G2; Ezra Rice, 1868; Warren Sibley, 
1873. 

Jacob Whitman Bailey, son of the first pastor, was an eminent naturalist, 
inventor of Bailey's Indicator, and of improvements in the microscope. He 
was graduated at West Point in 1838, and, later in life, w-as president of the 
American Association for the Advancement of Science. He was called the 
" father of microscopical science." He died at West Point, where he was pro- 
fessor, on Feb. 6, 1857. 

Enoch Pond, D. D., the second pastor of the Auburn Congregational church, 
was the founder of Bangor (Maine) Theological Seminary, and for many years 
its senior professor. He is now living. 

Thomas Green, brother of Daniel Green, physician to the town i'ov fifty 
years, was a surgeon in the Revolutionary array. He attained eminence in his 
profession, and died March 12, 1812. 

Jonah Goulding Warren, was born in Auburn on Sept. 11, 1812; was 
graduated at Brown University in 1835, and at Newton Theological Seminary 
in 1838; was pastor of the Central Baptist Church in Chicago, 111., until 
1849, and pastor of the Fifth Street Baptist Church of Troy, N. Y., until 
1855, when he became corresponding secretary of the American Baptist Union, 
and held that position until 1872. In 1857, the honorary degree of D. D. was 
conferred upon him by the University of Rochester, N. Y. He is still living, 
and resides in Newton, Mass. 

A few of the more important statistics of the place, derived from the census and 
other sources arc given in conclusion : Area, 8,997 acres ; dwellings, 198 ; fami- 
lies, 254; polls, 290; voters, 219; farms, 78; acreage of same, 6,545 acres; 
do. of cultivated lands, 2,084 acres ; horses, 139 ; cows, 372. Value farm 
property, $494,634; do. farm products, $120,689. 



STATISTICS. 



251 



Cnpital invested in manufactures, $115,000. Value of products, $253,000; 
number i)ersons employed, 256. 



Total value of all products, 
Value person.al estate, 
" real estate, 

Total, . 
Rate of taxation, 814 per 
Population, 1784, 

" 1810, . 
1820, . 
" 1830, . 
" 1840, . 
1850, . 
" 18G0, . 
" 1875, . 



$1,000. 



5120,584 00 
434,175 00 



$373,089 00 



$554,759 00 



473 (90 families). 
540 
603 
G90 
G49 
859 
914 
1,233 



252 TOWN OF BARRE. 



B A R R E. 



BY FREDERICK CLIFTON PIERCE. 



CHAPTER I. 

ORIGINAL CONNECTIOX OF THE TOWN — INDI.iX PURCHASE — EARLY VOTES — 
PETITION FOR INCOUPORATION CHANGE OF CORPORATE NAME FIRST SET- 
TLERS ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY — EARLY AND LATER DENOMINATIONS — 

EDUCATIONAL MATTERS STATISTICS TEACHERS OF LIBERAL EDUCATION. 

This town was originally a part of Rutland, and as such was known as the 
"North-west Quarter." This tract of land was included in llic purchase made 
on the twenty-second of Decemhor, 168(5, by Henry Willard, Joseph Rowland- 
son, Joseph Foster, Benjamin Willard and Cyprian Stevens, of Joseph Trask, 
alias Paagushen, of Pcnnicooke; and Job, alias Pompomamy, of Natick; and 
Simon Pittcum, alias Wanauacouiponi, of "Wamisick ; and Sosowannow of 
Natick; and James Wiser, alias Qualapunit, of Natick ; — these five Indians 
dwelling in Ilis Majesty's territory in America — for "twenty- three pounds in 
hand paid," the said "Indians for themselves and all their heirs, executors, 
administrators, and assigns, did freely, fully, and absolutel}', give, grant, bar- 
gain, sell, alien, eufeofiee, make over, and confirm unto the above-named Wil- 
lard, Rowlandson, Foster, Benjamin Willard, and Stevens, their heirs, execu- 
tors, administrators, and assigns, a certain tract of land, containing twelve 
miles square, according to the butts and bounds as described in the indenture." 
This instrument is dated "Anno Tleijni liegis Jacob. Secund. 1G8G," and is 
duly signed and acknowledged March 15, 1G86. Nearly thirty years elapsed 
after this date before any further action was taken regarding the ownership or 
the settlement of this territory. But not far from the end of that interval, to 
wit, Feb. 23, 1713, an act was obtained from the Great and General Court con- 
firujing to the heirs of the Willards the Indian title of 1686, "provided that 
within seven years sixty families be settled in the territory." In order to cficct 
such a settlement, the owners who were of small means, associated with them 
several gentlemen of substance, who together constituted a Proprietors' Com- 
pany. Their associates were: Hon. William Taylor, Esq., of Dorchester ; 
Penn Townsend, Paul Dudley, Addington Davenport, Adam Winthrop, Thomas 
Hutchinson, Esquires ; Thomas Fitch, merchant ; John White, gentleman, all of 



ORIGINAL CONNECTION. 253 

Boston ; Tlioniiis How, Esq., of Marlborough ; John Chandler, Esq., of Wood- 
stock ; William Dudley, Esq., of Roxbury ; John Farnsvvorlh of Groton, 
yeoman ; the children and heirs of Peter Biilkely, late of Concord, dece:ised, 
and in right of said Peter; Rloses Parker of Chelmsford, yeoman ; and Jacob 
Stevens of Stow, yeoman. When the seven years were completed it was 
fonnd that the condition had been fulfillod. Several of the sixty families of 
Rutland had their residence in this part of the town, and others were added to 
them from time to time till the proprietors, at a meeting held Nov. 7, 1733, 
passed several votes having reference to the formation here of a new town. 
They voted : — 

First. Tliat some spot as near the centre of the North-west Quarter as con- 
venience allows, be found and pitched upon for setting the meeting-house, in 
the midst of some considerable quantity of good land fit for settlement. 

Second. That one lot for the minister ordained there, and another lot for the 
school forever, each of fifty acres of good land, be laid out in a convenient 
place near said spot pitched upon for the meeting-house. 

Third. That sixty-six other lots of good laud, of fifty acres each, as near as 
may be to the said spot for the meeting-house, be laid out for homesteads ; and 
when any of the said sixty-six lots fiill short in quality, to be made up in quan- 
tity. 

The other articles acted upon at this meeting assessed a tax, laid out 
highways, appointed collectors and a treasurer. The next thing necessary 
was to have the whole tract surveyed into lots and farms. When the survey 
was completed, its plans bore the signature of Samuel Willard, contractor, and 
Henry Lee, surveyor. The proprietors held a meeting at the Light House 
Tavern in Boston, Dec. 5, 1748, at which a large number were present. In 
])ursuauce of votes passed at this meeting the proprietors' committee presented 
a petition "to set off & Erect the sd North-Western Quarter wiih all the 
Inhabitants into a Town or otherwise into a separate District with all theprivi- 
lidges & powers of a Town." 

To His Excellency, Wm. Shirk;/, Esq. Capt. General & Governour in Chccfe in & over Eis 
Maj^ty^ Province of Massachusells Bay in New Engla7ul and Vice Admiral of the same & 
to the Honorable His Majitv Council and Iljuse of Ecpresentalives in General Cotirl assem- 
bled. 

" The petition of the committee of the Proprietors of the Townshi|) of Rutland (the 
original settlers part excepted) in the County of Worcester in sd Province in behalf of 
themselves & sd Proprietors & according to their votes & Directions, ITumhl}- sheweth. 
That the sd Proprietors have been for above these fifteen Years at great & Constant 
Pains & Expense of time and man3' hundred Pounds in Running the Bounds, survey- 
ing Dividing & Laying Out Lots, fuuling out & clearing Roads, Building of Bridges, 
selling Inhabitants & paying for Preaching in the North Western Quarter of the Town 
ship of Rutland. That the sd North Westerly- Quarter is a bonte the Quantity of six 
miles Square more or less according to the plan here"'"' exhibited bounded East North 



2.54 TOWN OF BARRE. 



Easterly about six miles on llie North Easterly Quarter of said Township, South South 
Easterly aboule six miles, partly on the original settlers Quarters & partly on the West 
wing of s(l Township. West South Westerly about six miles partly on Hrantree Grant 
& partly on Ilardwick, North North Westerly on Nichaway so called. That there are 
now Settled ou sd Quarter near Tiiirty f.imillys consisting of above one hundred souls 
who stand in need of a Settled Gospel Ministry & Ordinances and the Adult are Earn- 
estly Desirous of them, but cannot obtain them without a pro[)er Encouragement by 
your excellency & Honours. That the sd proprietors in view of sd Quarter being 
erected into a Town have given Laid out & set apart a fifty acre lot of Choice Good 
Land & anotlier Farm of Two Hundred Forty Seven Aa-es for the first Orthordox Min- 
ister that shall be ordained there, and a fifty acre Lot for the use of a School there 
forever And therefore your petitioners Earnestly Desire That yr Excell""^ and 
Honours would in your Great Wisdom Sett off & Erect the sd North Western Quarter 
with all the Inhabitants into a Town or otherwise into a Separate District with all the 
priviledges & Powers of a Town so far as to Cluise All Sorts of Town Olllcers among 
themselves & make all kinds of Rules on the Inhabitants of sd District for building 
houses for Publick worship settling & maintaining ministers Living out & making roads 
and f . r all other Services of a Public Nature which any Towns in the Province are by 
Law Enabled to do. Only reserving to themselves the Liberty allowed by Charter and 
the Laws of joining in Common with the otiier freeholders of sd Township in chusing 
and being Chosen Representatives t') Serve iu the Gonl Assembly as also Desiring the 
Power of assessing Leveling & Raising a Tax of Sixpence Old Tenor upon every 
Standard acre in .sd District for the first five Years next Ensuing annually f-ir the pur- 
poses above sd Excepting only sd land granted to sd ministers and school wh. sd Tax 
in their present Infant & feeble Slate of less than Thirty Families is of absolute ncces- 
sitv for them. And your Petitioners might humbly offer the following among other 
AVeighty Reasons 1 — The sd Quarter is nearly a Square body of generally good Land 
suitable & snflicient for such a Town or District. 2 — The Center of sd Quarter is 
aboutc Ten miles Distant from the (ilace of worship of the Original settlers and some 
parts of sd Quarter about fourteen miles oflT. A very heavy Inconvenience either to 
be warned to their common Town Meetings or to attend them or to serve as Town 
Olficers for so great an Extent. &3 — The Inhabitants of the Original Settlers part 
are so seni-ible of this hardship as they have expressed their Willingness above four 
years and nine months ago of the sd North Westerly Quarter being deteeshed from 
them, as appears by their attested vote liercwith offered. 4 & Lastly. Upon your 
Excellency & Honors now granting the sd District there are so many people straight- 
ened in other places ready to move into this as afford a most rational prospect that iu 
case of anotlier war the sd Quarter will grow so full of people as, instead of needing 
soldiers stationed among theui at the Publick charge for their Defense, they will not 
only be sufficiently able with the Devine help to Defend themselves but also have num- 
bers to spare for the Defense of other places above them. And your Petitioners shall 
ever pray as Bound, &c. Thomas Phikce, 

Jonas Clark, 
Thomas IIui!Uard, 
Cornelius Waldo, 

Proprils Committee." 

This petition was sipicd 1)y the proprietors' committee and twenty-eight 
inhul>itants, and duly presented to the governor and council. In the follow- 



INCORPORATION OF TOWN. 255 

in!j Jtinc, 1749, the north-west quarter was incorporated l)y the name of 
Riithuid District. The inhabitants acquired a legal corporate existence, with 
all the rights belonging to a town, save onl}' that of being represented in the 
General Court. The grave questions which agitated the Colony prior to the 
Revolution made it important to the district to be represented in the General 
Court. Its population had been more than doubled since its ineorponition, 
and it was, therefore, entitled to all the rights of a town. Accordingly, in a 
warrant issued March 15, 1773, the article numbered eight reads : "To see 
if tlie District will petition the Great and General Court to be set off as a town, 
or to act anything relative thereto." The meeting was held in April, when the 
proposition was adopted unanimously, and a committee chosen to present the 
petition. Between the action of the legislature in February and that in -Tune, 
Gov. Hutchinson had been succeeded in office by Gage, who, it is believed, 
caused the name of his predecessor to be inserted in the bill instead of Barre, 
as petitioned. Thus it will be seen that Hutchinson came into existence as a 
town amid the birth-throes of the Revolution, in the last days of the existence 
of a House of Representatives under the Provincial Charter. The District did 
uot assume the functions of a town until the January following its incorpora- 
tion. But in August previous it voted to "pay the town's proportion for sup- 
port of the Congress to be holden at Philadelphia," and also chose a "Committee 
of Safety." And on the 12th of September, eight days before the assembling 
of Congress, a movement was made for the reorganization of the militia. The 
first legal town meeting of Hutchinson was held Jan. 10, 1778, when it 
was voted to " accept the Continental Congress Resolves in full," and Deacon 
John Mason was chosen delegate to the Provincial Congress at Cambridge. 
This town bore, since its full incorporation, June 17, 1774, the name of 
Hutchinson. The public course of Gov. Hutchinson had made it an 
odious name to all earnest patriots. The people of this town could not 
patiently endure to date their letters, or subscribe their names, or anywhere 
report themselves as belonging to Hutchinson ; after bearing the reproach as 
long as they could, they resolved to take the necessary steps to have it 
chansfed, and for this purpose a town meeting was called, and a petition to the 
legislature was adopted. The phraseology of the petition was sufficiently 
eniphatic to express the feeling of the people. The petition took the usual 
course; and on the 7th of November — four months and three days after the 
Declaration of Independence — an act was passed, entitled, "An Act for 
discontinuing the name of a Town in the County of Worcester, lately incor- 
porated by the name of Hutchinson, and calling the same Barre." The 
petitioners suggested the name of Wilkes. At whoso instance the name of 
Barre* was given to the town is not known. In October, 1770, the town 

* Tliis name was given in lionor of Col. Isaac Bari<^, a (listingiiished member of Parliament and 
friend of the Colonies. He vras born in Dublin abont 1726, the son of Peter Earri?, a refugee from 
France. IIo entered Trinity College, Dublin, at the age of fourteen, and shortly afterwards 



256 TOWN OF BARRE. 



Voted "to aiilliorize the present House of Representatives to frame a Constitution 
of Government for the State." But when the Constitution had been framed, 
and the vote was taken on its acceptance eighteen months later, April 27, 
1778, the town, acting with a great majority of the people of the State, rejected 
it. Not long after a Constitution had been adopted, to wit. May 1, 1781, 
arose the famous " Barrc Slave Case," a detailed account of which, from the 
learned and accurate pen of Professor Eniory Washi)urn, was pubiisbcd a few 
years ago in the "Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society." 

Of the first settlers, Henry Lee of Worcester was an earnest and efBcient pro- 
moter of the prosperity of the incipient town. He was the father of five sons, all 
of whom settled here. He was born in Ipswich, May Ifi, 108(5, ami died in Con- 
cord, Feb. 25, 1745. He was a man of considerable note in his day, as is evi- 
dent from his having been one of the justices of the sessions of the county, 
and one of the selectmen of the town of Worcester. 

James Caldwell, an early settler, was the eldest son of William and Sarah 
(Morrison) Caldwell, who came to this country from Ireland in 1718-19, and 
settled in Worcester. He remained there, however, not many years, for 
prior to the year 1730 he had removed to the "North-west Quarter." James 
Caldwell, tradition says, came before his father William, "and lived alone all 
one winter under a shelving rock"; then erected his house, the first frame- 
house in the place. He is said to have acquired the ownership of sixteen 
hundred acres of land. 

But there were settlers here before the Lees and Cald wells. The earliest, 
it is believed, was Joshua Osgood, born in Audover, Sept. 2, 1694, who pur- 
chased a farm in the "North-west Quarter" in 1726. He is represented to 
have been a substantial and excellent citizen. Both ho and his wife lived to a 
very great age, faithful in the discharge of their duties to God and man ; 
especially heedful of that most ancient command, "Be fruitful, and multiply 
and replenish the earth," — their posterity numbering, it is computed, not less 
than twelve hundred souls. A little later came two important and influential 
settlers from Worcester, — Jotham Rice and James Holden ; and these were 
followed in a few years (1753) by Jonas Rice from the same town. The latter 
was a son of Jonas Rice, the "first settler" of Worcester, known in its history 
as the " father of the town." He filled many town offices, some of them to the 
close of his life. In 1753, when eighty years old, ho was appointed one of 
the justices of the Court of Common Pleas for Worcester County, in which 
office he died during the same year. Jonas, the son, who came to this town, 
was for many years a deacon of the church, and died in 1793, at the age of 
eighty-six years. On the same form which he tilled now resides his great- 
grandson, — Hon. Henr\- IC. Rice, — a member of the board of county com- 

entcred tho army as cnsi;ijii ; he booame liciiti'iiant, a luajor of brigade, and finally adjutant- 
general. During his politieal career Barrd was First Lord of the Board of Trade, Vice-Treasurer 
of Ireland, and Clerk of the Pells. He died aged seventy -sis. 



EARLY SETTLERS. 257 



missioncrs. Jotliam Rico was of another family, though from the same town; 
a man of groat energy, whom no hardships could daunt, no dangers alarm. 
"When he came, there were no roads, and he picked his way through the woods, 
between here and Rutland, guided by marked trees. It is a family tradition 
that he iirought on his horse before bini a little boy but four years old, and 
that they spent the first night in the woods, tho father placing the saddle over 
the boy to protect him from the rain, and kindling a fire to frighten away the 
wild beasts. Cyrus Rice, who resided in Worcester, removed to this place ; 
he subsequently removed to Conway, where he was the first settler. Here he 
was soon joined by Israel Gates and Robert Hamilton of this town, and the 
descendants of these three men have been among the most influential and 
respected inhabitants of Conway. Of those who came here about the time of 
the Rices was the above-named James Holden. He was evidently a man of 
character and weight, since he was one of the selectmen of Worcester before 
his removal to the " North-west Quarter." His descendants have been highly 
respectable. Josiah, his son, was father of James and Moses, who were active 
and energetic citizens. It Avould be impossible to do justice to the early 
settlers ; to tell of the Cunninghams, Davises, Heatons, Stevenses and Hills, 
or of Marmadukc Black, commonly known as "the old Duke," by birth a 
Scotchman, who lived a short time at Noddle's Island, and thence removed to 
this place, whore he purchased what is now known as the ''Bemis Farm," and 
became a man of much influence ; or of the Wallises, Forbushes, Nourses and 
Metcalfs, all men of substance ; or of the two brothers Jonathan and Nehemiah 
Allen, the forme/ of whom set out the first orchard in the place, having 
brought from Lexington forty apple-trees and his young wife on the back of 
his horse. All these heads of families, and others to the number of thirty, 
were here before or near 1750. They were for the most part a God-fearing 
people, and highly prized tho ordinances of religion, which were the strength 
and glory of New England. 

Associated with those already mentioned were Deacon John Mason, Nathan 
Sparhawk, Asa Ilapgood and Deacon Andrew Parker. The last named came 
from Lexington, and possessed many of tho traits exhibited by his blood- 
relation of Revolutionary fame, Capt. John Parker, and also the late distin- 
guished reformer and preacher, Theodore Parker. Under the management of 
these men, with tho industrious co-operation of their constituents, the district 
advanced rapidly in population and prosperity. Forests wore felled, roads 
were opened, streams were spanned by bridges, saw-mills turned out lumber, 
houses went up, harvests ripened, and on every hand were signs of thrift 
which made all hearts glad. Each year the district was re-inforced by 
immigrations. Those who came were strong men, the greater part in the 
prime of manhood, full of grit, willing to endure hardness, and bent on 
making cheerful homes for themselves where land was cheaper and more 
productive than in the towns which they had left. These additions kept 



258 TOWN OF BARRE. 



things lively. There was exhilaration in every step of progress towards 
comfort; in every house-raising and housc-wariiiing ; in the sight of every new 
field ploughed and planted ; of every fleece carded, spun and woven ; and of 
every addition to herd or flock. Amongst those who came about the middle 
of the last century, and who were important accessions, were Benjamin 
Jenkins, with three adult sons, from Barnstable County ; Seth Perry fi'om 
Martha's Vinej-ai-d ; William Buckminster from Framingham ; Launcelot 
Oliver from Georgetown ; William Robinson from Newton. There were also 
here, at this period, two brothers Bullard and two brothers Bent ; of the latter, 
one was magistrate, town clerk and town treasurer. 

The Jenkins family, before mentioned, was large and influential. The first 
of the name had three sons, Benjamin, Jr., Soulhworth and Timothy. The 
father came first, and then returned to bring the others. lie purchased of 
Nathaniel Jennison about three hundred acres of laud in the western part of 
the district, where he lived, and where, at fourscore j'cars of age, he died, 
having first divided the estate into three equal farms, constructed commodious 
buildings, and settled his three sons, who all lived, died and were l)uricd on 
the paternal acres. Benjamin, Jr., the "old squire," was a man of strong 
and vigorous understanding, quite distinguished as a magistrate, and left, it 
is said, the best farm and farm-lniildings in western Worcester. Southworth, 
a name traceable to the "first comers" of Plymouth Colony, left six sous. 
One of these became a clergyman of eminence, and was settled first at Green- 
field, then at Porthmd, Me., the honored father of the Rev. John L. Jenkins, 
DOW a highly-respected minister of Amherst. Timothy married a sister of 
Seth Perry, and had nine children. Among the settlers who came later, were 
the Ilarwoods, Sibleys, Hollands, Ilowlands, Broads, Hardings, Robinsons, 
Adamses and others whose coming was for strength and honor. To that part 
of Shrewsbury now Boylston, we are indebted for the Hollands, who "have 
made a mark in the community as straightforward, honorable men, prompt and 
energetic in discharge of all public duties, and truly valuable citizens." Cer- 
tainly, their record of official service is most creditable to them, some one of 
the family having filled important posts in the town for more than sixty years. 
Daniel Harwood came from Sutton, and brought with him ten children, 
remarkable for longevity. The father died at the age of eighty-seven years, 
and the aggregate ago of the ten children was seven hundred and ninetj^-nine ; 
making an average of a fraction less than eighty 3-ears. The sons all settled 
here, possessing themselves of some of the best land in town, and becoming 
foremost an)v)ng its agriculturists. One of them — Daniel Harwood, M.D., 
of Boston — reflects particular honor upon his native town by the eminence he 
has attained in his j)rofession, having stood for years confessedly at the head 
of it in his chosen department. AVhen a chair of instruction in it was estab- 
lished at Harvard Universit}', he was selected by the government to fill the 
professorship, but felt compelled to decline the honor and service. Samuel 



CIIUECII HISTORY. 259 



ami Job Sibley also vimw frotii Sutton, and settled in tlu; easterly part of tiie 
town. The former brought with iiini four sons, ail remarkal)le for muscular 
development and strength. One of the sons, Capt. Lynian, born IMay IS, 
1784, began early to take an active part in town aflairs. JNlorc tliaii forty j'ears 
ho was the accurate and popular town clerk. Those of the generation now 
passing away will recall the interest with which, after the benediction at the 
close of the afternoon service ou Sunday, his clear, ringing voice proclaimed, 
above the clatter of the pew scats as they came down, "the intention of m:ir- 
riage" between sundry parties about to enter the bands of wedlock. In winter, 
for many years, he was a successful teacher. Ho was the father of a nunn roiis 
family. Into the same section of the town where the Sibleys lived iiad 
come, somewhat earlier, from Iloliiston, David Underwood. Of hi:n was 
.Joseph, and of him Gen. Orison, who has long been a prominent citizen of 
Milford, and, till lately, the head of a large mercantile house in Boston. His 
career from the smallest beginnings has been highly successful, and ho has 
received many marks of consideration from the political party to which ho 
belongs. But that Avhicli is regarded as his chief distinction is his being the 
father of- another Gen. Underwood, the hero of no sham tight of a holiday 
muster, but the intrepid commander and leader of the Massachusetts thirty- 
third in the storming of Lookout Mountain, whence he was l)orne with loss of 
a leg and his body riddled with bullets. For his conduct and bravery in the 
battle, he was promoted brigadier-general by Hooker on the spot ; and subse- 
quently, by Secretary Stanton, in person, was breveted major-general. 

The first vote passed at the proprietors" meeting, in November, 1733, had 
reference to the location of the meeting-house. The locality having been 
selected, the work of building the same went forward rather slowly ; but in the 
year 1753 the citizens had the satisfaction of seeing it completed. The 
meeting-house completed, they proceeded, with the help of neighboring 
ministers, to organize a church. This was accomplished July 29, 1753, and 
in the month of October following the Rev. Thomas Fink was installed pastor 
over "The Congregational Church and Society in Rutland District." He was 
born in Sudbur}', and was graduated at Harvard University in 1722. Of his 
ministry here not much is known to his advantage. The notices of him are 
few and meagre; nevertheless, they are sufficient to indicate that he was a 
man of more than ordinary abilities and great strength of will, which, com- 
bined with an irascible temper, made him self-asserting and imperious. He 
was dismissed in 1760, after a pastorate of thirteen years, by a council com- 
posed of eminent men, both clerical and lay, all from distant churches, which 
was in session six days. Rev. Jonathan Mayhew of the West Church in 
Boston was moderator. He died in Rutland, Aug. 21, 1777. The church was 
without a pastor for nearly a year, at the end of which time, July 9, 1767, Mr, 
Josiah Dana of Pomfret, Conn., accepted a call. His ordination took place the 
7th of October following. He was a graduate of Harvard, of the class of 1763. 



2G0 TOWN OF BARRE. 



During the thirty years prccecTiiig peace with England, little or nothing had 
hecn done in the way of repairing and preserving the meeting-house, and it 
was b3ginning to show signs of decay. A committee was chosen to take the 
matter in chiugc ; they reported : " Taking into consideration the intimations we 
have of late of a peace which, if wo are favored witii so great a Messing, will 
make a very considerahlo alteration in the circumstances of men and tilings, we 
recommend a postponement till Soptemijcr, 1783." Nothing more was done 
until two years later, when the business was taken up in earnest, and an 
addition was made, l3y purcliaso, to the common or meeting-house lot. The 
meeting-house was completed, and at a meeting it was voted "to meet, the 
Sunday after next, it heiug the seventh day of November, 1790, for the public 
worship of God, in the new meeting-house, for the time to come." 

Not far from the meeting-house, and in every remote neighborhood, was a 
burying-ground ; and whenever a death occurred the remains were borne on a 
bier to their final resting-place. Often the distance was long, and the service 
of the bearers wearisome. For greater case and convenience the town voted, 
March, 1789, "to procure a carriage to carry the corpse from anj' distressed 
house to the burying-ground." The location of the first meeting-house was 
nearly opposite the pi'csent post-ofl5cc ; that of the second at the cast side of 
the park; while the mcetin<i-hoase lot in the proprietors' plan was a little south 
of the house of Samuel Hamilton. 

Rev. Josiah Dana died Oct. 1, 1801, after a ministry of thirty-four 
years. The vacancy caused by 'his decease was filled, two years later, by a 
candidate, who began to preach on the first Sunda}' of October, 1803. 
November 28 of this year it was voted to invite Mr. James Thompson to the 
pastoral charge of this church and people. Some time in tiie year 180G it was 
voted by the society to "build a handsome and beautiful steeple, cupola or 
belfry, provided there be raised )>y subscription sufficient to jiiirchase a bell 
and clock." The work was entered upon without delay, and, when completed, 
the church, with its large, shapely pillars, and finely jjroportioncd steeple, was 
regarded as the handsomest in the county. 

The first indications of a change in the religious feelings of the citizens 
occurred in 1813, when seventeen certificates of membership in the Baptist 
Society were filed with the town clerk. In the year 1818 there was a com- 
plaint made by some of the citizens against the method of raising money for 
support of the ministry. In 1821 was filed a certificate of membership in the 
Universalist Society; and in 1827 a certificate of thirty-four members of the 
Evangelical Congregational Society was filed. Up to this time the whole 
people of the town had been united in one religious society of the Congrega- 
tional order, with the exception of a small l)ody of Baptists living on the 
easterly border, and a small organization of Uuiversalists at Barrc Plains. 
The portion of the Congregational Society which withdrew were organized by 
an Ecclesiastical Council, convened for the purpose, Aug. 15, 1827, as 



CHURCH mSTORY. 2(U 



"The Evangelical Congregational Church in Barre." Dr. Thonijjson reported 
to the Council : "That the aggrieved l)rethren had applied to the cluircli under 
his care for a dismission, that they might bo organized into a now church, and 
that the request was not granted ; that a further request for a mutual council 
was desired; that their proceedings, so far as he knew, had been regular; 
that they were under no ecclesiastical censure, and that the church had no 
communication to make to the Council." In November, 1828, the newly-formed 
church and society extended an invitation to Rev, John Storrs to settle, which 
he accepted, and was ordained Jan. 29, 1829, a church having been in the 
meantime erected. He was dismissed in 1832. His successors have been 
Rev. Moses G. Grosvenor, Rev. John F. Stone, Rev. Samuel A. Fay, Rev. E. 
D. Moore, Rev. Amos Bullard, Rev. C. M. Nickels, Rev. George Denham, 
Rev. David Peck, and Rev. Edwin Smith. 

Through a large number of the pastorates of the Orthodox church, and 
through another secession and formation from this, the old church, of a 
considerable number, who constituted a Univcrsalist Society and erected a 
meeting-house, the ministry of Rev. Dr. Thompson continued uninterrupted. 
At his request a supply was obtained, and Rev. Mr. AVellington preached a 
year or thereabouts, but the first colleague. Rev. Henry F. Bond, was ordained 
Jan. 7, 184(5. The third pastor of the original church died on the 14th of 
May, 1854. Dr. Thompson was born in Halifax, Plymouth County, Mass., 
on the 13th of April, 1780 ; he was graduated with high honors at Brown 
University, in Providence, R. I., in 1790 ; read divinity with the Rev. ,Tonathan 
French of Andover. He acquired a high reputation as a preacher and oratoi- 
in the part of the Commonwealth in which he was situated. By nature and 
culture he possessed a combination of extraordinary qualifications for the 
ministry. A noble form, a commanding presence, a full, rich and ransical 
voice, a quick and clear .apprehension of truth, a strong good sense, deep 
sensibility, a fervid, earnest manner and unmistakable sincerity were his. 
He was very greatly respccteij, and died much lamented. The second 
colleague of Dr. Thompson was the Rev. Charles E. Hodges, who was 
ordained June 11, 1851. The succeeding pastors have been Rev. William 
A. Fuller, Rev. Henry Westcott, Rev. J. B. Beach, Rev. Henry R. Smith, 
and Rev. Alvin F. Bailey, the present pastor. The successive pastors of the 
Univci'salist Society were Rev. Samuel Brimblecom, Rev. Benjamin V. 
Stevenson, and Rev. J. J. Locke. This society sold their edifice to the 
Methodists. Their successive pastors have lieen : Revs. JNIessrs. VVallingford, 
Kilburn, Gordon, Bigelow, Andrews, Brainan, Middleton, Olds, Clark, 
Morey, Eastman, Parkhurst, Noyes, Woods, McCurdy, Lansing, George, 
Bent, Hudson, Baird, Joucs and Noon ; while over a society of independent 
thinkers or free worshippers, who convened in the Town Hall, Rev. Mo>es 
Kiml)all was pastor. The character of these workers in the moral vineyard, 
and the nature of the influence each one exerted, are well known. In 



262 TOWN OF BARRE. 



1849 the old church of sixty years was sold, its steeple taken down, and the 
main building moved across the Common to the corner of Broad Street, 
where the handsome columns of its steeple in front made the colonnade, 
where a varied form of enterprise was carried on until 18G2, when it was 
destroyed by fire, and Smith's block rose upon its ruins. A new and beautiful 
desijru for a church was adopted by the Unitarian Society, and strikes the 
visitor as a unique and pleasant feature of our town. In the same j'car the 
Orthodox Society built a new and tasteful church, facing the C( mmon, which 
had been enlarged by the liberality of the tirf-t parish, and the generosity 
of the owners of the land acquired. 

The proprietors of the township, with tliat forecast and fidelity to their 
conviclions of duty characteristic of the founders of the Colon}-, amongst their 
first acts, made provision for the c/mrch and sc/iool, the two great educators of 
society in religion and knowledge ; and thus oflered new inducements to those 
who were inclined to come and make their homes here. At the proprietors' 
meeting in 1733 a lot of land containing fifty acres was laid out for the school 
forever. Before school-houses could be erected the settlers opened rooms 
in their own houses, where the children could be gathered for instruction, and 
whenever money was appropriated for the support of religion, the same was 
done for the schools. The annual appropriations were liberal for their circum- 
stances ; and all through the Revolutionary war thej"^ were continued without 
material diminution. At first the selectmen were instructed to engage suitable 
teachers and establish them at their discretion ; then the places wiiere schools 
should be kept, were voted at each successive annual town meeting. In the 
year 1700, it was voted "to assess the inhal)itants £100 to build eight school- 
houses," having previously divided the town into eight school districts. The 
first school committee, chosen in 17i'9, were Rev. Josiah Dana, Major Cald- 
well, and Deacon Jonas Eaton. 

These school districts became organized corporations, and though the town 
nt first built a school-house in each, yet afterwards the care of the school, its 
repair and management, and the general oversight, was managed in these 
neighborhood meetings. Though for a number of years the agent or executive 
of the district was appointed b}' the town, he was the agent of the district and 
the acknowledged head. He was instructed by the town as to the length of 
the school, and the time for its commencement and close, and when it became 
apparent that the money was not wisely expended, it was the district and not 
the agent that decided to close the school. It is gratifying to observe tliat 
education has received increasing attention here during the progress of tiie 
jiresent centuiy. This increase is partially shown by the following figures : — 

In ISIO, the popuhition was 1,971 

" the v.iluation was ....... $G.j9,G00 

" the approiJriatiou for schools was .... $800 



SCHOOL HISTORY. 263 



In 1870, the population was ...... 2, .072 

" the vahiation was ...... $1,832,888 

" the appropriation for schools was .... Si, 220 

This gives the pruisoworthy result that, while the population iu sixty years 
increased onl}- thirty-four per cent., and the valuation not quite two hundred 
per cent., the appropriations for schools advanced to four hundred and twenty- 
five pev cent ! * 

The germs of our puljlic high school arc found in our annals far back in our 
history, when the town voted to instruct the selectmen to employ a teacher 
(jiialitied to instruct in the higher branches of English education, who should 
teach in the several districts in succession : and still later in the effort to estab- 
lish an academy, which, although it proved a failure, turned ambition in the 
right direction. In the year 1834, a private high school or academy was estab- 
lished here by Mr. Moses Mandell ; who continued to serve as teacher in our 
public schools for a number of years, and succeeded in inspiring in his scholars 
an enthusiasm in their work, and a respect for their teacher that terminated 
only with his life. When Horace Mann was stirring up public sentiment on the 
subject of education throughout the Commonwealth, considera])lc interest was 
manifested here. A convention of the friends of education was held in the 
Unitarian Church, iu which its minister, and Mr. Fay, the Rev. Josiah Clark of 
Rutland, Rev. Luther Willson of Petersham, and many others actively partici- 
pated. The result was that the second of the State Normtil Schools of Massa- 
chusetts was established in this town in 1839, uotwilhstanding there were many 
competitors for the honor. The town labored under the disadvantage of having 
no access by railroad, yet, iu consequence of the educational interest here 
manifested, as well as the beauty and healthfulness of the place, it was finally 
accorded to Barre. The Rev. S. P. Newman, a professor in Bowdoin College, 
was appointed its principal. It flourished for a few years ; but the inconven- 
ience of the location was found to be too great, and to the regret of the people 
of the town it was discontinued ; but its influence was a lasting benefit. 

Our public schools have been taught by such men as Gen. Crawford, Col. 
Samuel Mixter, Alpbeus Harding, Gen. Lee, Seth Lee, Samuel Caldwell, Pitt 
Grosveuor, James W. Thompson, Capt. Sibley, David Lee, David Rice, Otis and 
Horatio Allen, James W. Jenkins, and Capt. Tenny. In 18.52 the high school 
was permanently established here, and its usefulness and general beneficial influ- 
ence, as well as the advantage it atfords to all for a sufficient English education 
to meet the ordinary duties of life, without the expense and the hazard of a 
residence away from home guardianship and care, are obvious and are appre- 
ciated. Its teachers have served with varied success, and will be cherished 
in the memory of the young men and women of this generation, as faithful 
instructors and warmly remembered friends. 

* Rev. Dr. Tbooiiison's Ceuteiinial Discourse. 



264 



TOWN OF BARRE. 



As beloneiii"' to the general subject of cclucation, we add a list of all 
college graduates : — 





Date of 


NAME. College. 


Gn.\i)Uiiiox. 


William Caklwell 


Harvard. 


1773 
1776 
1796 


Ezra Ripley. D. 1)., 
Rev. Lincoln Riploy, 














Dai-trnouth. 


Rev. Alplieus Ilanling, . 














'' 


180.5 


Rev. Charles Jenkins, . 














Williams. 


isiij 


Rev. Seth E Winslow, . 














Brown 


1814 


Samuel Caldwell, . 














Harvard. 


1818 


George Brooks James, . 














*' 


1821 


David 0. Allen, D. D., . 














Amherst. 


1823 


Charles Wadsworth, 














Browu. 


1827 


James W. Thompson, D. D.,. 














*' 


1827 


Henry L. Plumraer, M. D., . 














Union. 


1829 


Charles Eaiues. 














Harvard. 


1831 


Brig. Gen. Daniel Ruggles, 














West Point. 


1833 


Rev. Robert T Conaut, . 














Amherst 


1836 


Rev. Abraham Jenkins. Jr , . 














" 


1838 


Rev Reuben T Robinson, 














Harvard. 


1811 


Maj. Gen. Joseph P Plummc 


r. 












West Point 


1841 


J. Martin Goiham, 














Harvard. 


18.J1 


Adj. Samuel F. Woods, 














Yale. 


]8.i6 


Rev. William Crawford, 














Amh(!rst 


18.^7 


Joseph W. Grosvenor, M. D 
Rev Sidnev Crawford, . 














Dartmouth. 


18.59 














Amherst 


1861 


Charles L. Bixbv, . 














Harvard. 


1861 


William B. Durant, LL. B., 














" 


1SG.5 


Rev. James T Bixby, . 














" 


1864 


Frederick Holland, 














Amherst. 


1865 


George F. Babbitt, 














Harvard. 


1872 


Charles H. Bixby, . 














West Point. 


1873 


Emory A. Ellsworth, 














Amherst Agl. 


1871 


P Mirick Ilarwood, 














" " 


1875 


J. Frank Barrett, . 














11 u 


1875 


Frank H. Rice, 














" ii 


1875 


J. Edward Root, 














11 " 


1S76 


Charles Babbitt, . 














Dartmouth 


1879 


John L. Smilb, 














Amherst Agl. 





THE REVOLUTIOX. 265 



CHAPTER II. 

-MILITARY niSTORY KEVOLUTIOXAEY SriRIT SIIAYS' REBELLION LIGHT 

INFANTRY COMPANY COMMANDERS ATTITUDE IN THE REBELLION BUSI- 
NESS AND MANUFACTURES — PROFESSIONAL MEN TOPOGRAPHY, PHYSICAL 

FEATURES AND SCENERY NATURAL PRODUCTIONS TOWN HALL AND PUB- 
LIC BUILDINGS — SOCIETIES. 

As the series of events that preceded the American Revolution gave token 
of the approaching storm, and that the question was soon to be decided whether 
the Colonies would tamely submit to the denial of the rights of English sub- 
jects, it may be that the men who had been learning for a quarter of a century 
to govern themselves became dissatisfied with their relation to the govern- 
ment. A circular letter from the town of Boston concerning the state and 
rights of this Province was considered in open town meeting, and a committee 
of leading citizens reported a scries of spirited resolutions endorsing the views 
of Boston and thanking them for the zeal displayed, were unanimously adopted 
March 1, 1773, and on the next lath day of March a warrant for a town meet- 
ing "to sec if the District Avill petition the Great and General Court to be set 
off as a town, or act anything relative thereunto." It is needless to repeat the 
story of the r.csult of this vote. June 10, 1776, the town voted "to abide by 
the Continental Congress if they should declare us an Independant State and 
that Ave will defend the same with our lives and fortunes." When a requisition 
was made upon the town for soldiers a feeling came into existence that this 
cause concerned all alike, and that justice demanded that all should contribute 
alike to meet the expense. And a committee was raised to estimate the pro- 
portion that each should pay according to his property and the amount in money 
and service that each had paid, to the end that those who had overpaid should 
be reimbursed, Avhile those who had fallen short should make up the deficiency. 
This was the stern demand of justice for an equalizing of public burdens. The 
minute-men from Ihis town in the Continental army did their proportion of 
service, being led by their brother farmer, the cool, brave Buckminster, who 
was our principal hero in the war. He was born in Framingham, Dec. 15, 1736, 
son of Joseph, and grandson of Joseph, of Muddy River. In 1757, he removed 
to this town and devoted himself to agriculture. Of recognized character and 
ability, he soon became a leading and influential citizen. The miuute-raeu 
raised here were commanded by him. At Cambridge, where he had marched 
his company, the militia was reorganized, and from a captaincy, he was pro- 
moted to the office of lieutenant-colonel in the regiment commanded l)y Col. 
Jonathan Brewer of Waltham. In the battle of Bunker Hill he acquii'ed a 



266 TOWN OF BARRE. 



reputation for prudence and bravery. Just before the retreat of the Ameri- 
cans, he received a severe and dangerous wound from a musket-shot, which 
prevented his performing further military service, though his name was con- 
tinued on the army list until the close of the war. lie died here June 22, 
178(3, much respected. 

Gen. Samuel Lee was also distinguished. Born here in 1767, he enlisted as a 
soldier in the army in 1780 ; joining the army at West Point aliout the time of 
Arnold's treason, he was transferred to a Hying regiment under Col. Alexander 
Scammol in New Jersey, and was engaged in many severe actions, Yoiktown 
being the most important. Returning home at the end of the war he was sub- 
scfjucntly chosen a brigadier-general of militia, representative, state senator, 
and presidential elector. Fie was a man of unquestioned integrity and public 
spirit, of sound judgment and manly presence, and was one of the most 
honored fathers of the town. He died Oct. 17, 1831), aged seventy-two 
years. 

The taxes during the Revolution were so high that one year they made no 
appropriation for paying debts, or for roads, and their delit and credit meet- 
ings seemed to have been trials of patriotism. But through the whole struggle 
I find no evidence of a disposition to retreat or to give up the fight. I find on 
one occasion when money was scarce, the town api)ropriated beef; and again 
when citizens procured new suits of clothing for the soldiers they paid a man 
his expenses to go and carry them, in repeated instances. I think that a spirit 
of justice and sympathy characterized the leading men in our town during the 
Revolutionary war. They proved themselves eipial to the situation, mindful 
of the duties incumbent upon them; and, though but a young town, they 
made a record which favorably compares with the other towns of the Common- 
wealth. 

Our men were in some of the distinguished battles of the Revolution. The 
services of Buckminster and Lee were not solitary instances of iiravery and 
efficiency, though they secured a more distinct recognition. Forty-five Barrc men 
went with Buckminster to Camljridge after the Concord iiglit. Capts. Benjamin 
Nye and Benjamin Gates and Lieufs. Aaron Ilolden, Andrew Parker, John 
Patrick and James Black were commissioned ofiicers from Barre. From the 
adoption of the Constitution to the Treaty of Peace, in 1783, the town was 
busily and anxiously engaged in providing men, clothing, and money for the 
prosecution of the war. It was a period of depression and difficulty. 

In that unfortunate uprising. Shays' Rebellion, were many of the worthy citi- 
zens of Barre, and when their cause was lost and their army dispersed at Peter- 
sham, the town took towards them and the outraged government the position of 
mediator. The petition to the Governor and Legislature for clemency and par- 
don to these misguided men is a fine tribute to the generous character of the 
town. After the Revolution, for many years, it was a part of the duly of towns 
to keep on hand a stock of powder and balls against any emergency that might 



MILITARY MEN. 20; 



arise. The stock of Barrc was kept in the Iwrn of Maj. David Fisk. Al)out 
the time of Shays' Rehcllion its loss occasioned quite a commotion and many 
town iiH'ctinirs were iiekl and much research made for its recovery. It was 
tinally fonnd in the harn of Capt. Joseph Smith, where it was undoubtedly 
traufferred in secret by the town authorities or some person or persons in their 
employ, to prevent its being seized l)y the insurgents. 

The battalion of artillery raised in 1791 was commanded from its organiza- 
tion until 1797 by Maj. Seth Caldwell, when he was succeeded by Maj. Wil- 
liam Caldwell, who was the first captain of the company raised in this town. 
Ilis successors as captain were: Nathaniel Jones, John Allen, Jonas Eaton, 
Joel Rice, Abner Ilarwood, Nathan Patridge, Nathaniel Holland, Wllcut Har- 
wood, Joshua Browning, Ephraini Holland, John Holland, Nathan Hammond, 
George W. Reid, Hiram S. Ilarwood and Silas O. Harding, who commanded 
the company when it disbanded in 1837. 

The Barre Light Infantry, in the Third Regiment, Second Brigade, and Sixth 
Division of the Massachusetts Militia was first commanded by Warren Sibley, 
subsequently by Charles Sil)ley, John Fisk, Henry Brigham, Jonathan Sil)ley, 
Benjamin Felton, James Holland, Hooper Holland, Sardius Sibley, Jr., 
Charles Kimball, Marshall D. Eaton, William Robinson, Jr., and Haskell S. 
McCullock. This company attained a high degree of proficiency in its drill, 
and was very popular with the citizens. A cavalry company flourished here 
and its commanders were : James Iloldeu, Skelton Felton, Seth Caldwell, Seth 
Holden, Joseph Robinson and Alanson O. Green. All the able-bodied men in 
town not belonging to either of the above companies, and not exempt by 
law from military duty, were enrolled in one company that was called "the 
Standing Company," "the Slam-bangs" or " the Floodvvoods." Its command- 
ers were: Micah Hamilton, James W. Jenkins, David Lee, Harding Allen, 
Larkin Smith and Bliss Bacon. 

May 1, 1861, a legal town meeting was held to see what action the town 
would take ''to render aid and encouragement to a volunteer company now 
forming in this town" for the war of the late Rebellion. It was voted, to 
appropriate four thousand dollars to increase the pay of those who may be 
called into the military service of the United States to eighteen dollars a month, 
''and to assist the families of such soldiers and oflicers as may need assistance." 
A thousand dollars were also appropriated to pay to each member of the com- 
pany fifty cents for every half-day he may be eugaged in drilling. July 12th, 
the town voted to appropriate eight hundred dollars "to uniform a volunteer 
company now forming in the town." 

July 17, 1802, the town voted that the treasurer be directed to pay, under 
the order of the selectmen, to each and every inhabitant who shall have been 
or may hereafter be mustered into the service of the United States, as a part 
of the quota of the town, the sum of one hundred dollars "as an additi<mal 
bounty." August 27th, the town voted to pay a bounty of one hundred dol- 



268 TOWN OF BARRE. 

lars to each volunteer who should enlist to the credit of the town for nine months' 
service, and appropriated two thousand dollars to provide State aid for the 
families of volunteers. 

In the year 18G3, little was done but recruiting. 

On the 28th of March, 18G4, the town voted, "to raise the sum of four 
thousand dollars for the purpose of filling the quota of the town on the recent 
call of the President for more men." April 18th, voted to appropriate thirty- 
five hundred dolliirs to aid the families of volunteers. June 10th, voted to 
raise five thousand dollars to recruit volunteers to fill the quota of the town 
"under any call or order of the President of United States." And again, 
March 6, 1865, to raise three thousand dollars to pay State aid to the fiimilies of 
soldiers. 

This town furnished three hundred and nineteen men for the war, which was 
a surplus of twenty-four over and above all demands. Eleven were commis- 
sioned officers. The total sum of money raised and spent by the town for 
war purposes, exclusive of State aid, was $24,356. The amount of money paid 
.by the town during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and repaid by 
the Commonwealth, was as follows : 18G1, $319.49 ; 1862, $2,137.05 ; 1863, 
$4,053.90; 1864, $3,019.60 ; 1865, $1,700; total, $11,230.04. 

As the selectmen during these years took a prominent part, I add the list : 
1861, David Rice, Stephen Heald, Silas Rawson, James F. Davis, Franklin 
Smith; 1862, Franklin Smith, James F. Davis, Warren Mandell, Stephen 
Heald, A. H. Holland; 1863, David Rice, Ezekiel L. Pierce, Willard Broad, 
Henry Ellsworth, Caleb Harwood ; 1864, A. H. Holland, James F. Davis, 
Henry E. Rice, Austin Hawes, Wilcut Harwood, Jr. ; 1865, A. II. Holland, 
James F. Davis, Henry E. Rice, Wilcut Harwood, Jr., Austin Hawes. 

On the Common, the eye is attracted by a finely jiroportioned marble monu- 
ment, erected to commemorate the patriotism and valor of fifty-nine brave sons 
of the town, who fell in the late war of the Rebellion. 

During the first fifty years of this century, the local ambition which had 
existed from the start became a marked feature. The leading men were pul)lic- 
spirited. They could tolerate no narrow policy in matters pertaining to the 
interests of the town. They were not men to be satisfied with anything short 
of the best attainable, whether in their crops, their horses, their breeds of cat- 
tle, their barns, their schools, or their preaching. Everything projected by 
them was on a larger scale than in the other towns adjacent. With such men 
as Hon. Nathaniel Jones, James Holland, Samuel Lee, Harding P. and Edwin 
AVoods, Willard Broad, David and Charles Lee, James W. Jenkins, Moses 
Holdeu, Dr. George Brown, Seth Holden, Benjamin Clark et als. for adminis- 
trators of its afl'airs, it is n(jt strange tiiat the town fiouiishcd. 

Until aI)out the close of the first quarter of this century, the business here 
was almost exclusively agricultural. There were a few tanneries, one or two 
fulling-mills for finishing homespuns, and grist and saw mills sufficient for the 



PROFESSIONAL MEN. 200 

uses of the town. There were also mechanics' shops fi)r such work as was 
iiRlispcusahIo in farming; stores, three or fonr, which drove a flourishing trade ; 
and generally two good taverns or inns for the accommodation of travelers — 
and other purposes! In 1^05, Capt. Seth Pratt, formerly of Shrewsbury, 
l)uilt a dam on Ware River, Jind dug a canal through a hill ; and then, on a 
M-atcr-power thus made, several mills Avcre erected, one of which, built and 
owned by Mr. Phineus Ileywood, was a factory for making woolen frocking 
of a superior qunlity ; and near this establishment there grew up a pleasant 
village of considerable trade, known as Barre Plains. But with these, and 
perhaps a few other minor exceptions, the all-engrossing pursuit was agricul- 
ture. The following is an estimate furnished by a gentleman who was engaged 
in vending cheese and pork (besides other products) for the years 1846 to 
1850 : Cheese, 2,754,664 pounds, bringing into market (all transported in 
wagons), $220,373.12; pork, 539,998 pounds, bringing $37,799.86; total, 
$258,172.98. And this exhibits only a small portion of the agricultural 
products. In 1825, a new enterprise was projected by Mr. Benjamin Clark 
in the erection of a cotton factory on Ware River, near Coldbrook. This 
property finally passed into the hands of the Smiths, the present owners. The 
village is known by the name of Smithville. In 1865, there were manufactured 
here palm-leaf hats of the value of $47,941, and Shaker hoods of the value of 
$158,583. In the tweuty years ending with 1873, one concern — Desper, 
Rogers & Co. — finished 1,929,040 dozen hats. 

This town has had seventeen lawyers and an equal uimiber of doctors. Of 
the lawyers, eight were graduates of colleges; namely, four of Harvard Uni- 
versity, two of Yale, one of Dartmouth, one of Brown University. Of the 
doctors, four are collegiate graduates ; namely, three of Harvard University, 
and one of Dartmouth College. In the legal profession, of those now living, 
one, the Hon. P. Emory Aldrich, after reaching an eminent position at the 
bar of the county, was appointed a justice of the Superior Court of Massachu- 
setts, and has already attained a high rank as judge. Of the deceased, Eleazer 
James was the first to open an office here in 1793. He was born in Cohasset, 
and was graduated at Harvard in 1767. During a period of eight years, he 
M'as tutor in Harvard College, and whilst here he studied for the ministry, and 
preached a few Sundays; but an insufficient voice and hesitating manner soon 
discouraged him, and he abandoned the profession. Entering the law office of 
Levi Lincoln, Sr., of Worcester, he was admitted, in due time, to the bar 
of this county, and opened an office in Rutland ; here he remained only a year, 
and then removed to this town, where he married a daughter of Dr. Brooks. 
His scholastic attainments were probably not excelled by those of any man in 
this part of the State. He was a gentleman of taste, refinement and general 
culture, and greatly respected. 

A very different man was Seth Lee, born in 1770, and a lawyer by reputa- 
tion. He began life a farmer, with only the scant education of our common 



270 TOWN OF BARRE. 



schools, :iiid luit until ho \v:is niarrii'il and hail a family did lie cntiT on a course 
of stud}' for his profession. Tliis was pursued under many cniharrassuicnts ; 
hut ho had great perseverance, and in August, 1809, was admitted an attoruc}' 
of the Court of Common Pleas, and at ouce opened an office in this town. An 
inhal)itant hy birth, nearly everybody was personalh' acquainted with Iiim, and 
his practice soon became considerable. 

Contem[)orary with Gen. Lee was Nathaniel Houghton, Esq., u native of 
Sterling, who came here, in the first decade of the century, a young man 
of prepossessing a[ipearance and pleasing address. His practice, after a few 
years, became quite lucrative. In politics, he was a Republican, and an ardent 
supporter of this party, of which, when in the ascendancy, he was often chosen 
representative, several times senator of the State, and twice a member of the 
E.\ecutive Council. There are other names in the legal profession, such as 
Christopher C. Baldwin and AValter A. Bryant, men of eminent gifts and bril- 
liant accomplishments, who for thirty years attained to the foremost rank of 
counsellors and advocates in the "Heart of the Commonwealth." 

The first physician was Dr. Brooks. He was followed by Dr. Ebenezer 
Rice, who was characterized by Dr. Thompson, in his half-century sermon, as 
"a lipe scholar," "an accomplished man," "a sound Christian," "dignified and 
urbane in manners," and "highly respected in all the relations of life." Dr. 
Asa Walker was here in full practice before the end of the last century, and 
continued to be a poi)ular physician till his retirement at an advanced age. 
Dr. Anson Bates, a young man from Fairhavcn, after a course of professional 
study at Planover, N.H., established himself in this town, and, in a short time, 
proved to be a man of much skill, both in medicine and surgery. Of tine 
personal appearance, of great energy and power of endurance, cheerful and 
hearty in social relations, he easily gained the confidence and attachment of his 
patients. Dr. Bates was a man (jf marked points, entertaining in conversation, 
decided in opinion, attached by early education and the convictions of his 
mature life to that branch of the church known as "Orthodo.x," and lending to 
its support the whole weight of his character and influence. Ho died greatly 
lamented, in the peace of the Christian faith, July 14, 1836. He was the 
father of Drs. George and Joseph N. Bates, now residing in Worcester, where 
they have attained a high rank in the medical profession, being well known 
throughout the county and State. In June, 1848, Dr. Hcrvcy G. Wilbur estab- 
lished an institution here for the care, comfort, training and hygienic treatment of 
children and youth of defective mental organization. The first private asylum 
of the kind in America, it soon became widel}^ known ; and under the diicclion 
of its original organizer and his accom[)lished successor. Dr. George Brown, 
has been sustained and commended by a large i)atronage from almost every 
State in the Union. Tlie sitiuition of the several buildings on Broad Street, 
the grounds and appointments of every kind, present one of the most, if not 
the most, attractive feature of our town. 



SOIL AND rUODUCTIOXS. 271 

The town of Barro is Ijir^o in extent, being more tlian six miles sqiiiire. It 
is one of the best townships of land in the county, the soil being excecLl- 
ingly rich and strong. The land in general is very hilly and uneven. The 
hills, though not so high, arc very steep and rocky, as is the case in most 
towns where the soil is excellent and moist. The town is well watered by 
numerous springs and rivulets, and the people enjoy great advantages for 
turning and conveying the water over their grass land. The soil is pecu- 
liarly adapted to mowing and pasturage. Here great numbers of cattle arc 
fatted, which make the best of beef ; and here, also, arc many and large dairies 
from which butter and cheese are shipped in abundance. The soil bears 
Indian corn well, but is not so well adapted to English grain as some other 
places, though large quantities are raised here. As the town is uneven and 
hilly, it affords no broad and commanding view of itself; but, from the hills, 
there is an extensive pros|)ect into other towns. The pleasantness of Uarrc 
consists in the richness and fertility of the soil, and the large, handsome, well- 
finished buildings of all kinds. The farms are large and very productive ; the 
people are industrious, and have great encouragement to labor. Their modes 
of husbandry are good, and there arc sure indications of industry and opulence 
all over the town. In 1800, it was one of the foremost towns in the county ; 
there were but three which paid more of a State tax. About this time, the 
the population increased so that, when the census was taken, there were nearly 
two thousand inhabitants. 

The general growth of wood is plentiful, including oak of all kinds, 
especially white oak, considerable chestnut and pine, some walnut, birch, 
beech, ash and hemlock. The town is bounded north-west by Petersham; 
north-east by Hubhardston ; south-east by Oakham and Rutland ; and south- 
M-est by Hardwick and New Braintree. Its postal villages arc Barre Centre, 
Barre Plains and Smithville ; the latter lying in the south and south-west. The 
principal rock is calcareous gneiss, in which occur specimens of rutile, pyrites, 
beryl and garnet. A huge bowlder, called "Hocking Stone," in the north- 
western part of the town, is a natural curiosity. The prominent eleva- 
tions are Mt. Pleasant in the north-eastern ; Stonehouse Hill in the south- 
eastern ; Prospect, Allen and Farrow hills in the central ; together with Ridge 
and Bascom hills in the north-western sections of the town. 

Ware River, receiving as its tributaries Burn- Shirt and Cannestow rivers, 
runs through the southerly part of the town, and affords valuable hydraulic 
power. Prince River, having a reservoir of two hundred acres, waters the 
central, and Moose and Pine Hill brooks the westerly part of the town. Silver 
Brook flows northerly into Swift River. Barre has a good town hall and 
library; two hotels, — the Massasoit and Naquag houses ; a farmer's club; a 
Masonic lodge, established in 1810 ; an excellent public journal, called the "Barre 
Gazette," established in 1834 ; a good high school and seventeen district schools, 
— all of which indicate a well-ordered and prosperous condition of society. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



BERLIN. 



BY REV ABIJAII P. MARVIN. 



ORIGIN OF THE TOWN — TOPOGRAniY AND SCENERY — ROADS — CnCRCTl HIS- 
TORY BUSINESS RAILROADS SCHOOLS MILITARY RECORD DISTIN- 
GUISHED CITIZENS OF THE TOWN. 

The south-cast part of the old towu of Lancaster was cut off and erected into 
the towu of Bolton, in 1738. The south jjarish of Bolton was incorporated 
April 13, 1778. On the 16th of March, 1784, this precinct, with an addi- 
tion from Marlborough, was erected into a district by the name of Berlin. 
The district had all the powers and privileges of a town except that of being 
represented in the General Court by its own separate delegate ; but the people 
were authorized to unite with Bolton in the choice of a representative. This 
continued till Feb. 10, 1812, at which time it was incorporated as a town. 
It was enlarged by an addition from Lancaster, in 1701, and from Xorthbor- 
ough in 1806. Thus Berlin is the tirst grandchild of Lancaster. These are 
the boundaries : On the north by Bolton ; east by Marlborough ; south by 
Northborough, and west by Boylston and Clinton. The township is on the 
eastern border of Worcester County, with a gentle slope to the east, insomuch 
that nearly all the streams, even those which rise on the western border, flow 
easterly to the Assabet. The centre is an elevated basin, with a broken rim 
of hills around it. There are several high hills in different sections. Towards 
the east side is Sawyer's Hill, a long ridge running north and south. On its 
western slope is Madam Rudersdorf's residence, which in July, 187i), was 
rudely shuUen by the great tempest. Barnes' Hill is in the south west corner, 
and Wheeler's Hill is in the north. On the west side the land rises sheer 
upwards from the Nashua River, in Clinton, so that the land sheds its water, 
not into the river near by, but across the township, into the Assabet, The 
surface generally is uneven, with not more than average fertility, but yields 
good crops to judicious cultivation. Iron ore is found, but not enough to be 
profitable. 

The streams are small, except the Assabet, which flows through the south- 
east border, and receive allluents from other towns. The water-power is not 
great. The principal pond is Gates', at the easterly foot of Sawyer's Hill. 



EARLY CHURCH AND PEOPLE. 273 



This is a fine sliect of water hy nature, and has boon raised and enlarged hy a 
dam at the southern end. It has been stocked with fish. On the cast border 
is a pleasant grove of evergreen and other trees. There is a pavilion on the 
eastern bank, and boats arc provided for guests. This i)liico is much resorted 
to for picnics and other parties. 

The facilities of travel arc good. The roads are ke|)t in good repair, and 
the bottom is hard and peimanent. Bridges cost but little in comparison, as 
there are no great and violent streams, with soft bottoms, to cross. 

As the town was formerly within the limits of Lancaster, and afterwards of 
Bolton, its history is included in them for more than a hundred years after the 
first settlers struck their axes into the primeval forest. This accounts for the 
fact that Lancaster names abound in the town, though an admixture of others 
has como in during the last half century. The pioprictors of the mother 
town settled their children on their divisions of land iu the towns that were 
formed from her broad domain. Hence we find Sawyers, Carters, Wilders 
and some of the Fairbanks race, as well as of others, in her records. It will be 
convenient for the reader to remember that the region between Sudbury and 
the Nashua Valley was left almost without inhabitants for a long period. Those 
who were hardy enough to move west from the west line of Sudbury, passed 
over the height of land, and settled in the beautiful valley beyond, and thus 
Lancaster became a radiating centre, which sent out settlers in every direction. 
Lancaster as a settlement was nearly one hundred years old before there were 
people enough in Bolton to form a town. The part which is now Berlin, 
became a society or district, about forty-six years later. The original inhabi- 
tants were generally of the old stock. Those who came up from the lower 
towns in after years, were similar in race, religion and habits. The whole 
people were homogeneous. They owned the farms which they cultivated, which 
is very much the case to the present day. Hence the people have an inde- 
pendent and self-respecting character. 

The origin of the church was peculiar, and, in some respects, nnpleasant. 
When the Rev. Mr. Goss of Bolton was dismissed by his own people, without 
the orderly advice of an ecclesiastical council, the ministers and some of the 
chnrches iu the neighboring towns regarded their action as schismutical ; and 
when they proceeded to settle the Rev. Mr. "VValley, were slow to recognize 
him or his church as in good standing. It so happened that most of those who 
proposed to form the new church in the south part of Bolton, were Walleyites, 
and opposed to Mr. Goss. On this account the council deliberated two days 
before proceeding to the service of recognizing the new religious organization. 
The council advised the church to abstain from fellowship with the Walleyites. 
This led to another council, which took the same ground. These proceedings 
were in the spring of 1779. As the church was composed of both Gossites 
and Walleyites, it was difficult to suit all parties. However, the church was 
finally formed, and, in 1781, the Rev. Reuben Puffer was ordained their min- 



274 TOWN OF BERLIN. 



istcr. This was three years hi'foro the district or precinct of Ecrlin was 
authorized by law. NotwilhstaiKlinj^ the trouhles wliich atteiulccl tlie birth of 
the church, it seems to liavc had a peaceable life and a i)calthy growlli during 
the pastorate of Dr. Puffer. The ordination services were held under a tree, 
not far from the spot where the Orthodox church now s'auds. As there was 
no meeting-house, Capt. Samuel Jones opened his tavern for the holding of 
meetings. The church consisted of fifty members, and the pastor was received 
as a member on the day of his ordinitiou. When the meeting-house was 
raised, rum and cider were provided, according to the .'uicicnt custom. Twelve 
years later, the house was painted. The military stock of the town was kept 
in the garret, or attic, in modern phrase. Mr. Puffer, when ordained, was 
twenty-five years old, and was considered a handsome man. He continued in 
the pastorate till 1829, a period of forty-eight years, and died at the ripe age 
of seventy-six j'cars. He had followed nearly all who welcomed him to the 
town to the grave, and also many of their children and grandchildren. Ho 
is said to h;ivo been an earnest, friendly man, who set a good example to his 
flock. In 1820 there were seventy members in the church. He hail admitted 
one hundred and ten by profession, sixteen by letter, and one hundred and 
eight on the half-way covenant plan. His pastorate was fairly prosperous, 
considering the size of his parish. He loved peace, and during his life the 
controversy' which was rising between the Orthodox and the Unitaiians in other 
places, was kept compaiatively quiet. The struggle came in choosing a new 
minister. Previous to 1824, all the town belonged to the first parish uidcss 
they joined some other religious societ\'. From this, it followed, that o("tcn a 
church was in connection with a town, the great majority of which was not in 
religious sympathy with it. Men of all sorts of belief and unbelief had a 
legal right to go into the town-meeting, which was a parish meeting, and vote 
for a minister whom the church could not vote for or listen to as a religious 
teacher. The town, in 1830, chose the Rev. Robert F. Walcut. The church 
voted against his settlement. The decision of the Sui)reme Court in the Ded- 
ham case gave the meeting-house to the parish, and recognized the renniant of 
church members who retained their connection with it, as the church. But 
seven-eighths of the church did not want Mr. Walcut, and all, except seven, 
withdrew. The Unitarian party retained the house, and the Orthodox wor- 
shipped in private houses, for a time, and had Dr. PufTci's manuscript sermons 
read to them. In the course of a j'car, they had a house of their own, and 
thus closed an unhap|)y period of town and church history. Leaving ecclesi- 
astical matters for the present, we will attend to other things of interest. 

The business of the people of Berlin, in all generations, has been princi- 
pally in the agricultural line. There arc about seven thousand acres of land 
within the present limits of the town. What proportion was under cultivation 
in former times in comparison with the present, cannot be known wilh certainty, 
but it is not probable that much that was once under the plow has become 



PRODUCTS AND EDUCATION. 27, 



waslo land, tliough some may have grown up to wood after tlio fiisl jlt "owih 
was tut. Ill 1875, tluTO were six thousand nine luindred and oiL'lilicii ai res 
of luiid under crops, orcliards, woodland, "unimproved land, and uninii)rov- 
iible land." Only one hundred ten and a half acres iiio counted as " unim- 
provable." There arc in (he town two hundred and nine dwelling houses, and 
nine hundred and eighty-seven inhabitants. The houses connecled wilh farms 
number one hundred and seventeen. The barns, sheds, shops, cider-mills and 
other buildings belonging to farms, are two hundred and seventeen. The num- 
ber of fruit trees and vines is about fourteen thousand, of which aliout ('Ux cii 
and a half thousand are apple trees. The value of do:Pcslic animals was 
nearly forty-two thousand dollars. The value of manufactured articks under 
the head of "value of goods made and work done," in 1875, was one hundred 
and seventy-one thousand dollars. The value of shoes covers nearly the whole 
of this amount, being one hundred and tifty thousand dollars. The value of 
agiicnlturai products was nearly ninety-one thousand, and the value of all prod- 
ucts about two hundred and sixty-three thousand dollars. Thr; valuation of 
the town was four hundred and sixty-seven thousand two hundred and sevunly- 
five dollars. The income of the inhabitants is much larger than the value of 
the products of their labor, as their money is invested in stocks, or in business 
carried on elsewhere. 

The railway connections (jf the town are superior. The Boston, Clhitun 
and Fileliburg (now the Old Colony) road crosses diagonally fnmi Northbor- 
ougli to Clinton, and the IMassachnsetts Central, now in pr(>cess of building, 
forms a junction at West-Berlin. There arc four small villages in the town ; 
viz., Berlin Centre, West Berlin, South Berlin and Carterville. The two lirst 
have post-ofBccs. Tlierc is a hotel and a memorial hall in the cenlre. A 
farmers' club, and a del)ating society furnish inslruetion and amusemeuL in the 
autumn and winter. There is an average degree of intellectual activity and 
literary taste. 

Owing to the limited extent of the town, the districts or divisions for schools 
have always been few. At present, there are five schools. The average length 
of- the schools is six months and seven days. All the teachers are females, 
and their average pay is thirty-three dollars per month. This is according to 
the returns of 1877-8. The appropriation for schools was eleven hundred dol- 
lars, and the expense for superintendence and printing was seventy-tive dollars 
in addition. There is a local school fund of a little over two thousand dollars, 
which gives an income of one hundred and forty-one dollars. The number of 
school children was one hundred and eighty-three, and the sum raised for each 
child was six dollars and fifty-seven cents. The rank of the town was, in this 
regard, the fifty-first in the list of fifty-eight towns. In the matter of average 
attendance, the town ranks as the twenty-fourth. 

Berlin has no Indian history distinct from that of the towns from which it 
was derived. That there were Indians within the limits is shown by the implc- 



276 TOWN OF BERLIN. 



merits which have been formerly discovered, such as mortars, arrow-hends and 
tomahawks ; but there is no tradition that they had a fixed settlement here like 
that at AVashacum Pond ; nor is there any evidence that an}' persons were 
killed on its territory in the numerous raids made on Lancaster. The men, 
however, were out in the French and Indian wars in fair proportion. 

The same is true of the Revolution ; and, as Bolton included Berlin at that 
time, its heroes are to be found on the rolls of her company or companies. 
That they heard the news from Lexington and Concord on the I'Jth of April, 
1775, before many hours had passed after the fight at the North Bridge in 
Concord, is certain ; and equally certain that they responded to the call of their 
countrymen. 

Tiio records in relation to the part taken l)y the town in suppressing the 
RclicUion in 18G1-05 are more full and explicit. Though the population is 
small, yet the number of soldiers supplied was one hundred and thirty. The 
money raised to cany on the war was over fourteen thousand, and the State 
aid was eleven thousand two hundred and thirty-three dollars. But in this 
case, as in that of all the towns, the cost of the war was far greater. All the 
internal revenue tax, and all the customs duties, nearly, were spent in main- 
taining the government, and the people of Berlin paid their part in these forms 
of taxation. The first meeting in relation to the Rebellion was held as early 
as May 6, 1861, when spirited resolutions were passed. These are some of 
the sentiments : "The time has come for action, — resolute, determined, de- 
cisive action. Liberty imperiled, the laws defied, the Constitution trampled 
u|)on, and the old flag trailed in the dust liy traitorous hands, call in tones of 
thunder to every patriot to arm and strike a l)low at once for liljcrty and law, 
for God and justice." Again: "We cheerfully accept the situation, and will 
resolutely stand on our country's defence, and, in pi-oportion to our means and 
nun)l)ers, will contril)ute of the same to the support of the Government until 
tlic old flag shall wave over the whole land as the emblem of equality, liberty 
and law." The town raised two thousand dollars at once for "fitting out 
volunteers for the defence of the Government." And in 1SG2, it was voted to 
" pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer who shall enlist for 
three years, and be credited to the quota of the town." Nine men over and 
above all demands were furnished. Three were commissioned oflicers. Tlie 
ladies of the town formed a "Soldiers' Aid Society," and did "soldiers' work" 
for the sanitary commission. They also collected over seven hundred dollars 
to purchase materials to made into under-clothing, socks and other garments 
for the soldiers. The average attendance at their meetings was about fifty. 
Twenty-three men fell in the war by various casualties. 

Returning to church afl"airs, a few items pertaining to more recent history here 
find a place. The successor of Mr. AValcut in the old parish was Rev. David 
II. Lanison, who was settled in 1834, and received eleven into the churcli. 
Service seems to have been omitted for a series of years; but a ITiiifarian 



PROMINENT MEN. 21', 



Society was formed in 1872, and Ilev. George W. Green was the pastor. The 
present minister of this society is liev. Selden C. Clark. 

The tirst snceessor of Dr. Puffer as pastor of tlio Orthodox Churcli was Rev. 
A!)rahani C. Baldwin, who was settled Oct. 2G, 1830. lie was a graduate of 
llowdoin College, and had studied theology under Rev. Dr. Lyman Beecher, 
and Rev. Dr. Taylor of New Haven. As a pulpit orator, he possessed uncom- 
mon power. After a ministry of about two years, during which forty-six were 
added to the church, he was dismissed, to the great regret of his people. 
Rev. Michael Burdctt and Rev. Eber L. Clark occupied the puli)it as pas- 
tors during the next five years. The latter was an able and useful man in 
other parishes. The Rev. Robert Carver was pastor during the five years 
preceding 1843, in which fifty-three Averc added to the church. Rev. Henry 
Adams was received Oct. 25, 1843 ; the two parishes were united, and he was 
the minister of the united congregation. Forty-seven were added during his 
pastorate. He was followed by the Rev. William A. Houghton, a graduate of 
Yale College and Seminar}'', who was installed Oct. 26, 1853. His connection 
still continues, though the Rev. A. B. Christy was ordained pastor of the 
church and parish, July 3, 1879, with his hearty concurrence. The centennial 
of the church was held the next day, July 4, when Mr. Houghton gave an 
able and most interesting historical discourse. lu the afternoon, there was a 
collation in a grove, and addresses were made by citizens and friends from 
adjoining towns and churches. There was Methodist preaching in the town at 
one time, but there is no established church of that order. Several families of 
Friends or Quakers have lived here a long time. Their house of worship is in 
Boltou. 

Among the noted men born uv residing in Berlin, the following may be 
mentioned, without slighting others of honorable reputation. The Hon. 
Samuel Baker filled a largo place in (he politics of the county soon after the 
Constitution was formed, and many years later he was the leading senator from 
the county in the State senate, nearly every year from 1780 to 1794. His 
farm was in the northerly part of the town, where he built a "handsome, large 
mansion house." Says the former historian of the county, there is here "found 
a quarry of most valuable stone, of a light gray color. The stones are i-e- 
markable for an excellent quality which resisteth the effects of fire." 

The Rev. Dr. Puffer is still remembered with respect and affection. His 
sermons, in manuscript, are still kept and exhibited by the children of those 
who sat under his ministry. Though living in a retired country parish, and 
not courting notoriety, he was called to preach on several public occasions. 
One was the election sermon in 1803, another the Dudleian lecture in 1808, 
and a third, the convention sermon, as it was called, in 1811. Besides he pub- 
lished au address, delivered on the fourth of July, 1810, and two discourses on 
leaving the old and entering the new meeting-house in 182G. There is a 
pleasant anecdote connected with the Dudleian lecture. It excited great atten- 



278 TOWN OF BERLIN. 



tion :it the time, iiiid was priutod liy request of the stiuleiits. The liev. 
Dr. Joseph Allen, late of Northhorough, who was then in college, gives an 
interesting account of the occurrence. It appears that the students had not 
heard of the preacher as a man of ability, and went to the service simply as 
a matter of college routine, liut as he entered with the president, and took 
bis seat, "wc were struck at once by his whole appearance, so dignified, and 
yet so modest and unassuming. And when he arose to address that silent 
audience, his serious aspect, his distinct and manly utterance, the music of his 
voice, and the case and grace of his gestures, at once airestcd and enchained 
our attention." He then speaks of the patience and interest with which all, 
even to the youngest, listened to the whole lecture, and proceeds :— "I well 
remember how, on leaving the chapel, we began to express one to another our 
admiration of the discourse, and our interest in the man whose persuasive 
words had so touched our hearts." Learning that he was in straitened circum- 
stances, with a family of ten children, "class-meetings were called, and a 
committee was appointed to solicit a copy for publication." An e.xtra price 
■was charged, .and some of the more wealthy students took a large number of 
copies. In this way a "very handsome sum w:is collected," which was in- 
creased by fifty dollars from the Dudlcian fund. Dr. Pufler was a very indus- 
trious man, and, what can be said of few, always had several sermons in 
advance. At his decease there were over fifty which had not been preached. 
It is related that when Dr. Puffer preached the election sermon Ijcfore the 
General Court the following incident occurred. The member from Berlin was 
proud of his minister, and had often spoken of him in high terms to the 
member from Wcstborough, who sat beside him in the house. The Doctor in 
accordance with the usage of those invited to preach (he election sermon, had 
written his praj-er, which preceded the discouse, and c(immitted it to memory. 
But as this was contrary to his usual way, he soon forgot what was written, 
and became embarrassed in the efibrt to remember. lie was near breaking 
down in the midst of his devotions. The member from Westborough nudged 
his friend, and said, "That's your minister, eh?" But soon the Doctor left his 
written prayer, and gave himself to the spontaneous utterance of his heart, 
when his petition became so pertinent, copious and earnest that the whole 
assembly w\ns held in rapt attention. At the close the member from Berlin 
turned to his friend, and said, "That's my minister." 

T he records remain of a temportiry dilTerence which arose between Dr. 
Pufier, and the Kev. Peter Whitney, then of Northhorough, and the historian 
of the county. The story should be told, in brief, as illustrating a state of 
things which was once a matter of importance, but which has entirely pa-^scd 
away. A family in Northhorough lost a member, and Dr. PulTcr was invited 
to olBciato at the funeral. He complied, whereupon Mr. Whitney was ofl'ended , 
and wrote that unless the matter was satisfactorily explained, all ministerial 
intercouise must cease. This was founded on the fact that the old parishes 



EMINENT MEN. 279 



had trrritorial limits, beyond wliicli a iiiiiiistor was regarded as an interloper. 
Dr. Puffer rceognized Ihis claim, but explained his action in this case in such a 
way that Mr. AVhitncy was satisliod, and amicable ri'hitioiis were restored. 
The corrcs[)undcncc is a fine specimen of precise, dignilled and courteous 
composition. But what a change I No one would now think of restricting u 
family in the choice of a minister on the sad occasion of a funeral. 

The late Ilcm. Solomon Henry Howe of Bolton, who was suddenly stricken 
do\j'n in the midst of his days, the present year, was a native of Bolton, and 
felt a deep interest in its prosperity and good name. His place of worship 
was in the church where his brother-in-law, Mr. Houghton, was the pastor. 
As a merchant in Boston, an active railroad manager, a prominent actor in 
political life, a president of the Worcester County Agricultural Society, and a 
successful farmer, he filled a large place in the circles in which he moved. 
William A. Howe, an elder brother, was a successful merchant in Boston. 
He was the first president of the Eliot Insurance Company, and also of the 
Eliot Bank. His death occurred in 18C3. Among the physicians of the town 
in former and present times, arc these : Drs. Daniel Brigham, Sauuiel Griggs, 
J. L. S. Thompson, Edward Hartshorn, now in Somcrville, and Lemuel Gott. 
Rev. Barnabas M. Fay, Rev. Winthrop Bailey, and Rev. Wiuthrop S. Bailey, 
and Joshua J. Johnson, M. D. were natives of the town. 

The centre of the town is eleven and one-half miles from the court-house iu 
Worcester, and about thirty-two miles from Boston. 

Madame Rndersdorf, the celebrated vocalist and teacher of music, has a 
permanent residence in the town, and receives musical pupils. 



280 TOWN OF BLACKSTONE. 



BLACKSTONE. 



BY JUDGE ARTHUR A. PUTNAM. 



CHAPTER I. 

TERRITOEr AND SURFACE REASON OF NAME — CIRCUMSTANCES OF SEPARA- 
TION — LOCAL DIVISIONS AND VILLAGES EARLY SETTLERS CHURCHES — 

QUAKERS B.Vl'TISTS — METHODISTS EPISCOP.VLIAXS CATHOLICS JIILLS 

AND MAXUTACTURES. 

Of the six towns formed, in whole or part, out of the original precinct of 
Mention, Blackstonc, incorporiitcd March 25, 1845, was the last, in area the 
least, and in population the largest. The south-easternmost town of the 
count}', its territory u rectangle of twelve square miles, well diversified b}' 
hill, vale, woodland and stream, too rocky and saudy-soilcd for prolitahle 
farming, hut exceptionally favored with -water-power and railway facilities — 
few towns of the State are more admirable in situation for the purposes of 
business. Diagonally through the south-western portion flows in ami)lo sweep 
the river which two centuries and more ago took its name from the first white 
settler upon its banks, William Blackstone, the non-conformist. For him, too, 
after warm debate, the town was named, those favoring the municipal name of 
South IMendon being overborne by the ardor of others, headed by Mr. Dan 
Hill, who urged the historical fitness of thus recognizing the liberty-loving 
man of letters whose name was imperishably associated with the valley of the 
Great River. The home of this famous man, however, called "Study Hall," 
after he sold out the peninsula of Shawmut to the Puritans at Boston, and 
migrated westward in 1635, was in the neighborhood of Lonsdale, R. I., 
where he lived till 1675, "necre Master Roger Williams, but far from his 
opinions." 

Anomalous, in (he division of towns, is the circumstance that the lu'tition 
for the incorporation of Blackstone originated, not with the people who were 
to form the new town, but with citizens of the old municipality, which would 
thus lose three-fifths of its population, and over half its valuation. By a 
i!iajority of the former, the proposition was streuuousl}'^ opposed ; and so did 
the opposition hold over after the incorporation, liiat in the first election of 



TERRITORY AND NAME. 281 

town ofEcers the issue was, "Who favored iiicorporafioii?" and the officers 
elected were all men who had opposed it. 

The principal localities that guide the speech of tlic inhabitants are tho 
villages of Blackstone, AVaterfoi'd, iMillville, Chestnut Hill, Coverdale Place, 
Five Corners and East Blackstone. Blackstone and Waterford, though 
merged now by growth into one village, are names still used to distinguish the 
eastern from the western portion. This duplex village contains about two- 
thirds of the population, is located along the southern border, and so laps over 
into Rhode Island, with its factories and dwellings, that the State line passes 
embarrassingly through an eastern fragment of it. Midway of the village, in 
its quarter-mile stretch along the valley, is the important junction of the 
Providence and Worcester, and New York and New England railways, and 
nearly equidistant from it, some two and a half miles, arc the other localities 
above named. Through Millville, at the north-w-est, pass both the railways, 
and near East Blackstone runs the Woonsocket l)ranch of the New York and 
New England road. The proximity of the bulk of its population to a very 
populous section of the border State, is to be remarked as an eccentric influ- 
ence upon the social and business life of the town. 

The town territory includes what, by the Act of 17G6, was established as 
the South Precinct of Mendon. It is believed that no settlements were here 
made befoi'o the year 1700. Between 1705 and about 1725 the flow of settlers 
hither appears to have been quite constant and considerable. Among the 
earliest land-ownei's to be named are Josiah Thayer and Eleazer Daniels, who 
settled in the neighborhood of the Coverdale place ; Benoni Benson, David 
Thompson and Ebenezer Thayer, whose vicinity was Chestnut Hill ; and 
Samuel Thompson and John and Daniel Darling, who first improved land in 
the region of Millville ; Samuel Thompson had a "corn mill" at the latter 
place, in about 1727, and it is believed was the first man above Woonsocket to 
use the water-power of the Blackstone. Descendants of these early settlers 
form a strong clement of the pi'escnt population. 

The meeting-house first erected within the town limits, is the quaint struc- 
ture now standing in the little handet of Chestnut Hill. Built in 17(!9, it is, 
with its adjoining church-yard, "where heaves the turf in many a mouldering 
heap," a point of much historic interest to the immediate community. Of 
settled pastors since the organization of the church there seem to have been 
but two — Rev. Benjamin Baleh, who. ordained in 1768, "left in an abrupt 
and clandestine manner" in 1773 ; and Rev. Preserved Smith, whose ministry, 
from 1805 till about 1812, left a gracious memory. As long ago, perhaps, as 
1830, the church proper became extinct ; but with varying intervals of inter- 
ruption, the meeting-house has been used for preaching, stated or occasional, 
down to the present day. Doubtless, the walls of no other church edifice in 
New England have resounded to such a variety of doctrine and discussion. 
Scarcely a sect but has here been heard, scarcely a reform but has here been 



282 TOWN OF BLACKSTONE. 

awitutcd. The famous Dr. Emmons here inculcated the Ilopkinsian theology , 
and here, more than once, the eccentric Lorenzo Dow elcctritied his audience. 
Beneath the same sounding-board that still depends from its jilace stood some 
of the earliest advocates of the cause of the Revolution, of anti-slavery, of 
temperance, and of the Union against secession. 

Hardly less remenil)ered is tiie Old House as the place of many a town 
meeting, especially the exciting ones that debated, what seemed to so many a 
deplorable piece of progress, the incorporation of Blackstone. As the vener- 
able structure neared its hundredth year, it was in disuse and much dilapidated. 
Through the timely' exertions of Caleb Thayer, John Darling, Hiram Daniels, 
Horace A. Benson, Alvin C. Robbii'.s and others, near $1,000 was raised and 
expended in repairing and improving it, and on Wednesdaj', Oct. G, 18G9, 
its centennial was celebrated with appropriate exercises, the Eev. Adin Dallou 
of Hopedale preaching an historical discourse. Since that time there has 
been afternoon preaching in the summer time by ministers of various denom- 
inations from far and near. 

From a very early date the Friends were a growing sect in the northerly 
section of the town. Sanmel Smith, in 1799, conveyed to trustees for the 
society a lot of land, on which the present meeting-house there was built in 
1812, at a cost of $525. The house has generally been kept in good con- 
dition and is still used for weekly meetings. 

The Jlcndon Free-Will Baptist Church of Christ, organized Oct. 30, 1822, 
took the name of the Free-Will Bajitist Church of Waterford, Aug. 9, 1845. 
Prior to building the present meeting-house in 1841, the church worshipped 
in private houses, in the Blackstone school-house, and during the jears 1837, 
1838, 183i), 1840 in the meeting-house belonging to the Blackstone Company. 
The first nine years of its existence the church was without a stated preacher; 
the principal ministers officiating in this intoi'val being Elders Iveuben Allen, 
David Swett, Joseph White, Ahab Read and D. Williams. Elder Maxcy 
W. Burlingame became pastor in 1831, and served till 1846. Since his time 
it should ajjpcar from the imperfect records that the church has been under 
the pastoral charge of ministers, as follows : Benjamin D. Peck, from 184G to 
1848; Thomas Brown, 1848 to 1849; Martin J. Steere, 1850 to 1853; Ed- 
mund M. Tappan, 1854 to 1857; Justus P>skine, 1858 to 1859; William H. 
Bowen, 1859 to 18G2 ; J. A. Howe, 18G2 to 18G4 ; E. W. Porter, 18G4 to 
18G8; M. E. Phetteplace, 1868 to 1869; James Rand, 1870 to 1872; Samuel 
D. Church, 1872 to 1876. The present pastor. Rev. Theodore G. Wilder, 
was installed December, 1876. For many years the church received annually 
a liberal contribution from the proprietors of the Waterford ]\lilis, but has 
been less fortunate in this regard the past yaw or two. 

The Blackstone Congregational Church, organized April 15, 1841, called as 
its first i)astor. Rev. Michael Burdctt, who was dismissed Feb. 10, 1852. His 
successor, Rev. Joseph W. Backus, ordained Sept. 29, 1852, resigned his min- 




INTKHIOK VIEW OF THE OLD CHESTNl'T HILL MEETING-HOUSE, BLACKSTONE, MASS. 

(Built in 1769.) 



CHURCHES AND PASTORS. 283 

istry M:u-ch 18, 1855. From September, 1855, to November, 18G1, Rev. T. 
E. Bliss was the aetiiig pastoi- ; and from Juno, 1862, to June, 1872, Rev. 
John E. Edwards. Rev. Albert W. Moore, ordained Jan. 22, 1873, and rc- 
si.LMiinir Jan. 7, 1874, was succeeded, May 21, 1876, by the present pastor. 
Rev. George F. Walker. This church has been singularly fortunate in the 
liberal support it has uniformly received from the lUackstoue jNIanufacturiug 
Company. The meeting-house was l)uilt in 1836 by the coiupany, who still 
own and keep it in excellent condition, and allow the church its use free of 
charge. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church of :\Iillville was organized ^March 3, 1850. 
Rev. Daniel Fillmore was minister in 1849, '50 ; Nelson Goodrich, 1851, '52 ; 
John E. Gifford, 1852, '53 ; Charles Nason, 1853, '54, '55 ; John A. M. Chap- 
man, 1855, '56; Asa U. Swincrton, 1856, '57; William N. Morrison, 1857, 
'58, '59 ; Charles A. Merrill, 1859, '60, '61 ; George M. Hamlin, 1861, '62, '63 ; 
Lewis B. Bates, 1863, '64, '65, '66; William Kellen, 1866, '67; Henry W. 
Conant, 1867, '68; Frederick C. Newell, 1868, '69, '70; Thomas S. Thomas, 
1870, '71 ; Samuel E. Evans, 1871, '72 ; Walter J. Yates, 1872, '73, '74, '75 ; 
Edwin G. Babcock, 1875, '76; William H. Turkington, 1876, '"77; R. D. 
Dyson, 1877, '78; who was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. John II. 
Sherman. 

Until this church was organized, its original mem1)ers, in part, were associ- 
ated with the Methodist Reformed Church, M-orshipping in the meeting-house 
built in 1833, and now owned by Remington Southwick. The presiding elder, 
having appointed in 1849 a minister for the Reformed Methodist Church, a 
disagreement arose regarding the application of "pew rents " in support of the 
preaching. This led to the withdrawal of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
members, who proceeded to worship in the then unoccupied meeting-liouse 
(built in 1838) of the " Presbyterian Orthodox," of whom the church, organized 
as above stated, afterwards purchased it. 

The St. John's Protestant Episcopal Church at Millville, was organized 
May 14, 1849. The corner-stone of the church editice was laid by Bishop 
Eastburn, July 16, 1850. The church was opened for worship at Easter, 1851, 
and consecrated Dec. 7, 1854. Of the $12,000 expended for the church prop- 
erty, al)out $7,000 was contributed by Edward S. Hall, to whose Christian 
zeal the organization of the church was mainly due, and whose munilicence is 
a cherished memory in the parish. Until the completion of the meeting-house 
services were held in the hall of Newton Darling. Rev. John W. Birchmore 
was minister from May 14, 1849, till Easter, 1852. Rev. Spencer M. Rice 
was called to the rectorship May 17, 1852, and resigned Jan. 1, 1855. Rev. 
Alfred B. Goodrich, called April 1, 1855, left Aug. 16, 1859, and was suc- 
ceeded, Feb. 22, 1860, by Rev. John V. Lewis, who resigned October, 1862. 
Rev. George Rumney Mas called Dec. 10, 1862, and remained till Feb 7, 
1872, when Rev. Edward H. True became rector. After him Rev. John D. 



284 TOWN OF BLACKSTONE. 

McConkey, Oct. 14, 1876, assumed the charge, and was rector till Jan. 25, 
1878. The present pastor. Rev. J. C. Ilcakl, became rector July 1, 1878. 

In 1847 a Methodist Society was formed at Watcrford, and supported 
preaching for about two years, in what was then called "Odd Fellows' Hall," 
now a dwelling-house of James Campbell, close upou Fox Brook. Jeremiah 
Hanaford was the minister. 

The Methodist Episcopal Society of East Blackstonc was organized April 24, 
1869. The meeting-house was built the same year at a cost of $3,500. For 
two years previous, meetings were held in the school-house of the village. Rev. 
T. B. Gurncy was the minister from 1868 to 1870 ; Rev. James II. Coole}' 
from 1870 to 1872, and Rev. E. N. Maynard from 1872 to 1874. Rev. William 
R. Mays and Rev. N. G. Axtell, then preached until the spring of 1877, when 
the present pastor. Rev. Charles Nason, was assigned to the charge. 

The Methodist Episcopal Society' of W'aterford was organized April, 1878. 
Rev. Alfred A. Prcsbury was the first appointed minister. The present 
preacher is Rev. J. II. Sherman, who also preaches at Millville. 

The church of St. Paul was founded in 1850. Years prior to the eroction of 
the church edifice, the more faithful of the growing Catholic population 
assembled, as the missionary could visit them, in private houses. The first 
mass ever offered in town was in 1834, at the house of a devout Catholic, 
Edward McCabe. The church is a plain Gothic structure, of stone, commenced 
in the autumn of 1850, and dedicated by Bishop Fitzpatrick in 1852. In 1872 
it was enlarged, adorned by a tower, and supplied with a bell. It now seats 
about 900. The parish numbers some 3,000 souls. The first ijricst, Rev. 
Charles O'Reilly, held his trust till his decease in September, 1857. His 
successor. Rev. E. J. Sheridan, officiated till transferred to Boston, in 1867. 
Rev. T. II. Bannon was then appointed, but ill-health conipelled his resignation 
in 1870, and in Octol)er of that year Rev. William A. Power, the present 
devoted pastor, was installed. Institute Hall, used for the Sundaj'-scliool and 
other parish purposes, is a fine building, erected in 1874, at a cost of $9,000. 
Another church is in process of erection at Miilvillo, to meet the wants of the 
numerous parish. Until its comi)letion, the Catholics of the village occupy, 
under a lease, the old Methodist Reformed Church owned by Remington 
Southwick. 

The first of the notable pile of stone buildings which form the establishment 
of the Blackstone Manufacturing Company was erected, perhaps, in 1809. 
The figures " 1808," on the "Old Mill," date more truly the conception of the 
enterprise. Samuel Butler, Seth Whcaton, Cyrus Butler, Nicholas Brown and 
Thomas P. Ives, all of Providence, were the original proprietors. Prior to 
their purchase of the land for the purpose, but one building, a mere hovel, 
stood in all the vicinity now covered by Blackstone and Watcrford villages. 
Save a small patch or two of clear ground, the scene was of wood, rock, swamp 
and thicket, through which the "Great River" poured (jver its winding way in 



MANUFACTORIES. 



285 



lonely waste of power. The erection of the mill wrought a speedy change. A 
village sprang np, whose growth kept pace with the successive cnlargomenta of 
the factory. These were mai1e in 1841, '45, '47 and '54. The original mill is 
known in the yard as No. 1. and the enlargements, iu the order of their con- 
struction, as Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 5. The conijjany, under the above name, and 
composed of the persons named, was formed Sept. 11, 1809, under articles of 
agreement, with a capital stock of $200,000, of $1,000 each. It was subse- 
quently incorporated by law of Rhode Island, and by special legislative act, 
Feb. 22, 1841, of this State, authorized to hold real estate in Mendon (Black- 
stone) not exceeding $300,000 in value. The capital stock now is $500,000. 
Besides the mill itself, the company's other property in and adjacent to the 
town includes nearly the whole of the Blackstone village, and 2G4 acres of 
land, much of it in a fine state of cultivation. Its share of the tax assessed by 
the town is quite one-third part. In the last 25 years it has employed 
annually aI)out 800 hands in the mill, and from 50 to 100 outside. Its business 
is done with a system that falls little short of perfection, and the entire 
premises of the establishment, including the village streets and tenement- 
houses, are observable for their tidiness and thrifty condition. Order, con- 
venience and cleanliness are the features of the place. The mill-yard in 
simimer time, shaded by beautiful trees, and picturesque by its combination of 
lawn, mall and trench, presents an attractive scene, admired by travelers 
passing it on the railway. 

The privilege of this mill is, doubtless, of the very best in the land. The 
situation is altogether peeidiar. A semi-circular sweep of the river, for a full 
mile, forms a cape of land, athwart which, in a half mile curve, is the stretch 
of reservoir and trench. Upon the down-stream extremity of the island thus 
made is the mill, whose huge wheels arc turned by a waterlall of 32 feet. The 
arrangement seems sufficiently simple, but it has been remarked that the mind 
only of genius, in a survey of the unwrought premises, could have conceived 
the plan. The company's local agent, from 1834 to 1853, was Silas H. 
Kimball. He was succeeded by his son, Henry C. Kimball, Esq., who still 
holds the position. The manufactures of the mill arc print-cloths and sheet- 
ings, and the extent of its business is indicated by the following figures: 





IS55. 


1865. 


1875. 


1878. 


rotton used, pounds, .... 


i,G7.^),ono 


1,175,000 


2,014,000 


2,550,000 


Coal " tons, .... 


i,oro 


C50 


1,700 


1,200 


Oil " gallons, .... 


4,800 


3,200 


4,0(10 


6,000 


Starch " pounds, .... 


4.5,ono 


25,000 


44,000 


50,000 


Gas " toet, .... 


l,CoO,000 


900,000 


1,445,(100 


1,650.000 


Hands employed, 


825 


617 


800 


765 


Cloth made, pounds, .... 


1,247,000 


800,000 


1,605,000 


2,060,000 


" " yards, .... 


7,115,000 


5,772,000 


9,500,000 


9,880,000 



286 TOWN OF BLACKSTONE. 

The water-power at IMillvillc has been more or less utilized by griot and saw 
mills since 1820. Alexander Wilson made axes for a few years from lt'08, 
and then was a manufacturer of scj'thes, until his decease in 1842. His son- 
in-law, Euclid Chadcy, continued the business a short time, and was succeeded 
by Newton Darling, who carried it on several years. For years preceding 
woolen manufacture here, a "clothier's mill " and fulling-mill were in operation. 
Esek Pitts commenced making cloth in about 1812, " doing his carding and 
spinning in an old Iniilding near Capron's grist-mill, and his weaving by hand, 
in a shop up on his farm." In 1811 he ])uilt his woolen-mill, believed to !)C 
the first on the Dlackstone. This he run till 1823, v.-hen he formed a partner- 
ship Avith his son-in-law, ]\Ioses Buffum. Thayer & Fairbanks leased the 
"Island" in 1835, and built the mill there. In 1825 Collins Capron built the 
stone mill burnt in the conflagration of 1874. In 1845 W. Farnuni bought 
out the entire privilege, including the several mills, tenement-houses and 
other buildings then appurtenant, and at once built a large mill below the 
btone mill. The premises thus improved he subsequently leased to E. S. & C. 
E. Hall, who, following Mr. Farnum's failure in 1854, l)ccame the owners. 
They suffered an accumulating mortgage on the propert}', which, in 1871, was 
foreclosed by the mortgagee, A. T. Stewart of New York, and in 1872 the 
whole estate was conveyed to Harrison Dliss and others of Worcester, who, 
in 1877, sold to the present proprietors, the Lawrence Felting Company. The 
same j-ear the compan\' erected its large and elegant factory for the manufac- 
ture of felt. The scythe factory, built by II. S. Mansfield in 1871, was in 
operation till 1875. It was purchased by Messrs. Booth & Kidd in 1877, who 
enlarged and converted it into a woolen-mill, with four sets of machinery. 

The Millville privilege is among the very best, but owing to frequent 
reverses, through failures and fires, (he village has never attained a prosperity 
proportionate to its manufactui'ing facilities. Its future, however, seems 
now better assured by the new establishment there of the Felting Company, 
added to four other mills in successful operation, and various improvements 
recentlj'' made, of a permanent and growth-promising character. 

At E.ist Blackstone the water-power is derived from Jlill Kiver and its trib- 
utary, Quirk Stream. The river lakes a southerly course iVom ihe Mendon 
line through the town. The power of this river was used at a very early date 
by a griit-niill, for many )'ears Iho only one in all the countiy roimd aliout, and 
which is still run liy Andrew Kell}', a descendant of the ancient proprietor. 
In al)()ut 1790 Congress and Benjamin Thaj-er cs(ai)lishcd a forge upon the 
river, which was in quite successful ()i)eration for some twenty years, .lust 
below the forge, in 1800, Selh Kelly and James Paine built a cotton-uiiil which 
was used as such till burned in 18G4. Near the grist-mill, John, David and 
Daniel Kelly built a eotton-uiill, in about 1817. It was made into a woolen- 
mill in 18G.1, with two sets of machinery, and burnt in 1874, while run by John 
C. Scott. "Squat Mill," built in IHKJ by Joseph lla}', was torn down a few 



MILLS AND OWNERS. 



287 



years !!"•(). The brick mill, now dilapiilutod, just above it, was Ixiilt hy Caleb 
C(>lvin ill 1818. This has been in disuse since 1840. In 1815 a machiiic-shop 
upon Quick Stream was built by Joseph Ray. It was occupied for the manu- 
facture (if mill machinery till about 1810, when it became a critton-yarn mill. 
As such it was run for a time by Emory Scott; was bought in 1800 by Eiias 
S. BmHou, and passed into the hands of the present proprietors, Smith & Ballon, 
in 1870. The woolen-mill now standing near the site of the old forge, was 
built in 1805, by Andrew Aldrich. 

Until 1825 the site of "Watcrford village was for the most part a waste, com- 
biuing bog, swale and sand-lot. That year W. & D. D. Farnum built the 
first mill ; the second was built in 1828, and the third in 1835. They were 
numbered one, two and three, in order inverse to the time of erection. No. 1 
was in part burnt in 184o, and immediately rebuilt with an additional story. 
Pariiidly burnt again in 1804, it was rebuilt in substantially the same propor- 
tions. This mill, thougli standing just over the State line, is so associated with 
Blackstonc as to bo properly included in any mention of the industry of the 
villao'c of which it forms a p;irt. No. 3, the oldest mill, was burnt in 1877 and 
has not been rebuilt. Satinets were for the tirst fifteen years manufactured 
with great success in this mill. It is said that in the year 1829 its proprietors 
made $80,000 in the business. No. 2 was used for the manufacture of cotton 
warps till 1837, but since 1840 only woolen goods have been made in the 
three mills. No. 1 has 25 sets of machinery ; No. 2, 12 ; and No. 3 had 12. 

Exhthit of Manufaclures and related Occupations, Derived from the Stale 
Census of 1875. 



MANUFACTURES. 



Number of VaUlo of goods 

Est;ibiisli- Capital invested, mad.' niid work 



Beer, spruce, .... 
Dools ami slioes,. 

Cun-iagc!*, 

C';issim('res, .... 

Clothing, 

Cotton sheetings and jn-int cloths, 
Cotton yarn, .... 

Cutlci-y, 

Lumber and meal, 

" sawed, .... 

Meal 

Satinets, 

Shoddy, 

Spindles, bolsters, step caps, &c.. 
Toy fiu'nituve, .... 
Woolen flocks, .... 
Woolen goods, .... 



Blacksmithint 
Butchering, 
Coi)l)lin<r, . 



Occupations. 



?Gno 00 

6G5 00 

3,700 00 

20,000 00 

500,00;) 00 

io,.^oa 00 

5,000 ) 

5'10 Oil 

2,000 O:) 

1,000 00 

15,000 00 

8,000 O:) 

3,0(10 00 

:!:K) 00 

io,()0() o;i 

200,000 00 



3,.^25 00 

17,o00 ('0 
4.0O 00 



«2,420 00 

1,3.;0 00 

5,(100 00 

661,206 00 

16,000 00 

625,274 00 

lO.OOO 00 

22,000 00 

2.(180 00 

12,000 00 

l.S.OOO 00 

]2,0!)0 00 

30,';03 00 

4,000 00 

800 00 

50,(11)0 00 

C(31,(W0 00 



4,000 00 

co,(;((0 00 

750 00 



288 



TOWN OF BLACKSTONE. 



Exhibit of Manufactures, <&c.- 


-Contiuued. 




JI A N U F A C T U It E R S . 


Number of 
nifiils. 


Capitol iDTcstcd. 


Value of goods 

made niid wcrk 

done. 


Dress-making, 

Jlillinoiv, 

Tinsniitliing 

Upliolstoriiis: 

WboL'hviigliling, 

Aggregates. 

Manufattures (sjoods made), 

Occupations (work done), 


7 
2 

1 
1 
1 

24 
18 


8595 00 

1,500 00 

250 00 

200 00- 

50 00 

795.205 00 
23,870 00 


81.400 00 
900 00 
COO 00 
8110 OU 
500 OJ 

2,139,130 00 
70,450 00 



By (ho same census (he agricultural interest of the town is tinis reflected : — 





Acres. 


Value. 




XCllBGR. 


Vaixs. 


Land under crops. 


1,910 


8151,466 00 


1 

Milch cows, . 


259 


813.413 00 


Orchards, . 


61 


4,825 00 


Oxen, .... 


42 


3,415 00 


Unimproved land. 


2,150 


54,370 00 


Horses, 


106 


10,265 00 


Unimproval)lo land, . 


202 


410 no 


Lime 


111 


1,335 00 


Woodland, . 


3,030 


98,869 00 


Houses and li:irns. 
Other lariu Ijuildins;.', 


212 
114 


I 121,135 


Total, . 


7,960 


,309,940 00 









The town, -when incorporated, had a population of about 3,000, and a valua- 
tion of about $1,070,000. 



POrULATIOS. 


VAUOH. 


POPULATION. 


Vai-ub. 


1850, 
1855, 
1860, 


4,391 
5,316 
6,453 


81,705,166 00 
2,089,506 00 
1,817,911 00 


1865, . 
1870, . 
1875, . 


4,857 
5,421 
4,G40 


81,993,024 00 
2,328,155 00 
2,143,923 00 



The forcip^n clement, dominantly Irish, with a growing admi.xture of French 
and English, forms about two-thirds of the population. In 187.') there were 
1,677 foreign-born inhabitants, of whom 1,246 were Irish, 258 French, 130 
English, 24 Scotch and 19 German. 



EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. 289 



CHAPTER II. 

SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION LIBRARIES — POLITICAL HISTORY MUNICIPAL NOTES 

NEWSPAPER LEGAL MATTERS — PHYSICIANS AVAR RECORD BANKS AND 

SOCIETIES NOTED CITIZENS REMARKABLE SCENERY. 

The first school-hoiisc wus built ;it Chestnut Hill in 1790 ; it was succcedod 
bv a brick one in 1822. The present house there was built in 1848. The 
town, after incorporation, was diviilctl into eleven school districts, which were 
reduced to eight in 18G5. Districts were abolished in 18G7. Within a few 
years after the abolishment three of the old school-houses were replaced l)y new 
and commodious structures, and the large school-house built in 1855 at Black- 
stone village, by the Blackstonc Wanufacturing Company, was bought by the 
town. The high school was established in 18(55, and a handsome house built 
for it iu 1867. In three years the town expended some $45,000 for school- 
houses. During the school-year, 1878-0, nineteen schools were taught, and 
848 scholars were in attendance (jnt of the 070 children returned between the 
ages of five and fifteen. At present the schools are under the superintendence 
of Adrian Scott, a cultured and devoted friend of education. 

The Blackstoue Library Association was formed iu 1855. The first thousand 
volumes of the library were selected with special pains, under the direction 
mainly of Mrs. "Welcome Farnum, a sister of the historian, George Bancroft. 
Valuable contributions were made by her distinguished brother, as also by 
Edward Everett, Jared Sparks, H. AV. Longfellow, Theodore Parker aud others 
of her literary friends. 

The Blackstone Athenajum was incorporated Feb. 26, 1856, "for the purpose 
of instituting and maintaining a library and reading-room, and promoting 
public instruction." For a number of years an unhealthy rivalry existed be- 
tween these two institutions, which, however, ended May 5, 1871, when they 
were united under the corporate name of the Blackstone Athenteum and Library 
Association. The library now contains somewhat over three thousand 
volumes. 

The Young Men's Catholic Union is a literary club, formed in 1875, having 
a library of two hundred volumes. They hold weekly meetings for debate and 
other improvement. 

There are seven Sunday-school libraries whose aggregate number of volumes 
is three thousand six hundred and thirty-one. 

The Miilville Agricultural Library had about two hundred volumes. The 
association that gathered this lil)iary became disorganized some fifteen years 
ago, and the books are mostly scattered. 

By the act of incorporation Blackstone remained a part of Mendon for the 
purpose of electing representatives to the General Court until the decennial 



290 TOWN OF BLACKSTONE. 

census of 1S50. Since tint <.l:ilc citizens of the town h;ive held seats in the 
legislature as follows : — 

Senators. 
Moses D. Southwick, . . 18G5-G6 | Jeremiah Gatchell, . . 1874-75 





Representatives. 




Caleb Thaj-er, 


1851 


Channing Smith, 


1863 


Laban Bates, . 


1852 


James K. Comstock, . 


186-1 


Martin J. Stcere, . 


1853 


John S Need ham. 


1865-67 


John S. Ilaradon, . 


1855 


Hiram Daniels, . 


1866 


Henry S. MansCeld, 


1856 


Moses Farnum, . 


186H 


Emanuel N. Paine, 


1857 


Ljman Paine, . 


1871 


Samuel Thajer, Jr., 


1858 


John C. Scott, . 


1873 


John B. White, 


1859 


Albert Smith, . 


1874-75 


Joseph G. Raj', 


1860 


Patrick Kennedy, 


1876 



Charles H. Fletcher, . . 1861 
William A. Northup, . . 1862 



Francis N. Thaj-er, 
Frederick Thaj'cr, 



Chairman of Selectmen. —Emory Scott, 1845-47; Dan Hill, 1847-40; 
Millcns Taft, 1849-50 ; Emory Scott, 1850-51 ; Laban Bates, 1851-53 ; Mil- 
lens Taft, 1853-55 ; John C. Scott, 1855-6 ; Lyman Paine, 185G-7 ; John 
C. Scott, 1857-8; Richard Battey, 1858-9; E. N. Paine, 1859-GO; Emory 
Scott, 18()0-61; John C. Scott, 1802-3; James P. Ilayward, 18G3-4; Syl- 
vauus H. Benson, 18G4-5 ; Andrew Kelly, 18G5-G ; Millens Taft, 18GG-7 ; XL 
K. Merrifield, 1867-8; George E. Bullard, 1868-70; Darius Bennett, 
1870-72 ; IL S. Mansfield, 1872-3 ; Jeremiah Gatchell, 1873-75 ; Samuel S. 
"White, 1875-6; Americus Welch, 1876-79. 

0/ Assessors.— Jar ed Benson, Jr., 1845-6; Preserved S. Thayer, 184G-7 
John Cady, 1847-8 ; Arthur Cook, 1848-51 ; E. N. Paine, 1851-2 
Richard Battey, 1852-3; Willard Wilson, 1853-4; Wm. Cook, 1854-5C 
James B Hall, 1856-7; Arthur Cook, 1857-61; Millcns Taft, 1861-2 
Emory Scott, 18G2-3 ; Wm. A. Xorthup, 1863-4 ; Silas A. Burgess, 1864-5 
Arthur Cook, 18G5-G; Estcs Burdon, 18G6-68; Lewis R. Daniels, 1868-9 
.Jeremiah Gatchell, 1869-70; Maurice Carey, 1870-71; J. Gatchell, 1871-73 
Americus Welch, 1873-79. 

Of Overseers of the Pooc— Willard Wilson, 1845-47 ; Dan Hill, 1847-8 
Millcns Taft, 1848-9; Whiting Alexander, 1849-50; Caleb Thayer, 1850-51 
Whiting Alexander, 1851-2; Laban Bates, 1852-3; Richard Battey, 1853-4 
James P. Ilayward, 1854-5; Willard Wilson, 1855-58; James P. Ilay- 
ward, 1858-9; John B. .Salisbury, 1859-60; Wm. A. Kelly, 1860-61; John 
C. Scott, 1801-2; Iliram Daniels, 1863-66; Clovis L. Southwick, lSGG-68 ; 
Willard Wilson, 1858-9 ; John G. Gatchell, 1869-72 ; Darius Bennett, 1872-3 ; 
Micajah Fuller, 1873-79 ; Francis N. Thayer, 1879. 

Of School Committee —hema Cook, 1845-6; Arthur Cook, 1846-18; 
Benj. D. Peck, 1848-9; Thomas Davis, 1849-50; M. D. Southwick, 1850-52; 



TOWN OFFICERS. 291 

Martin J. Stcere, 1852-3; Spencer M. Rice. iy53-4; Joseph W. Backus, 
1854-5; Edmund I\I. Tappan, 1855-58; Arthur Cook, 1858-9; H. C. 
Kimball, 1860-Gl; II. S. Mansliokl, 18(51-2 ; Frank Kelly, 18(J2-3 ; LeRoy 
Chiison, 18G3-4; J. E. Edward-s 1864-00; M. I). Soulhwick, 18GG-7 ; Wm. 
A. Cole, 18G7-8; Samuel Thayer, Jr., 18G8-70 ; Wm. A. Cole, 1870-73; 
John S. Needham, 1873-75; S. D, Church, 187G-7 ; Alvin C. Robbius, 
187G-78; Adrian Scott, 1878-9. 

Toicn Clerks.— James P. Ilayward, 1845 to 18G0 ; Geo. E. Bnllard, 1860 to 
'63 ; James K. Comstock, 18G3 to '69 ; Jeremiah Gatcheil, 1869 to '71 ; Junius 
Bates, 1871 to '73; Aaron S. Esty, 1873 to '75; Junius Bates, 1875 to '76; 
John Nugent, 1876 to '79 ; Daniel Whcclock, 1879. 

Treasurers. — James P. Hayward, 1845-51 ; Alex. Ballou, 1851-53 ; Andrew 
Comstock, 1853-4 ; Moses Farnum, 1S54-5 ; E. W. Barrows, 1855-6 ; Wal- 
ter Thorp, 1856-7 ; Chas. "W. Baker, 1857-8 ; Moses Farnum, 1858-61 ; R. 
K. Randolph, 1861-63; Moses Farnum, 1863-65; R. K. Randolph, 18G5-6 ; 
Moses Farnum, 18GG-71 ; Lawrence Boylan, 1871-2 ; R. K. Randolph, 1872-3 ; 
Austin A. Wheelock, 1873-75; Daniel Wheelock, 1875-6; Horatio Stock- 
bridge, 1876-7; Joel Her vey, 1877-8; Austin A. Wheelock, 1878-9; Leon- 
nard T. Gaskill, 1879. 

Postmasters. — At Blackstone, Daniel Kelley, 1825-31 ; James S. Warner, 
1831-37 ; John Cady, 1837-53 ; Darius Bennett, 1853-61 ; Sylvanus 11. Ben- 
sou, 1861-65 ; James K. Comstock, 1865-67 ; Jeremiah Gatcheil, 1867-69 ; 
Junius Bates, since March 31, 1869. 

AtWaterford, James Wilson, Jr., 1831-33; Darius D. Farnum, 1833-41; 
Welcome Farnum, 1841 to discontinuance of the ofSie, in 1850. 

At Millville, Willard Wilson, 1827-42; Preston Warfield, 1812-3; George 
Staples, 1843-45 ; Willard Wilson, 1845-49 ; Preserved L. Thayer, 1849-53 ; 
W^illard Wilson, 1853-61; Preserved L. Thayer, 18G1-73 ; Lyman Legg, 
since 1873. 

The South Mendon post-office was estalilished in 1822. It was located suc- 
cessively at Five Corners, Upper Canada, and in (he liouse of Elbridgo G. 
Daniels, with Samuel Allen, Daniel Kelly and E. G. Daniels as postmasters. 
After the incorporation of the town it was called the North Blackstone post- 
office, and in 1850 it was removed to Lower Canada, so tailed. In 1870 the 
name of the office was changed to that of East Blackstone. Moses Kelly, E. 
N. Paine, Lyman Paine, T. B. Gurney, Amcricus WeUh and Caleb W. Colvin 
held the office prior to the appointment, in 1875, of Myron Daniels, the present 
postmaster. 

The first number of the "Blackstone Chronicle" was published Feb. 26, 1848. 
It was a good-sized, well-printed, and, during its brief career, a very readable 
paper. The editor and proprietor was the well-known journalist, Oliver John- 
son. In aid of the undertaking the town hjaned seven hundred dollars of the 
"surplus revenue," and took a mortgage on the priuting-press. The paper 



292 



TOWN OF BLACKSTONE. 



wound up in less than a year, and the town took possession of the mortgaged 
pross. 

At one period Blackstonc onjoycd rue reputation as a litigious centre. The 
lawyer first on the ground was Paul P. Todd. Ho came in 1847. He was an 
attorney of extraordinary activity. lie had a voluminous docket and a vast 
clientage. On return days in the Justice Court, parties and witnesses, from 
far and near, blocked the streets of the village, and other business measurably 
paused. His exploits within and without the pale of court are among the 
choice traditions of the towns-people. Mr Todd removed to Boston in 1861, 
and litigation in the region at once materially declined. Yet the seed-sown 
soil long sufficed to attract, and for terms, longer or shorter, to hold repre- 
sentatives of the cloth in number quite out of proportion to the denizens. 
As thus : — 



Xapoleon J. Smith, . . 1849-51 

William L. Southwick, . 1851-G5 

Silas A. Burgess, . . 1854—77 

William F. Engley, . . 1860-Gl 

Joseph B. Cook, . . 18C1-G3 

Henry K. Merrifield, . . 18G4-C8 



Jerome B. Bolster, . . 1865-66 

Charles G. Key es, . . 1865-66 

Arthur A. Putnam, . . 1866-77 

Theodore S. Johnson, . 1868-71 

John L. Utley, . . . 1875 

Francis N. Thavor. . . 1876 



The Blackstonc Police Court was established in 1854. It was the occasion 
of various exciting town meetings and was abolished April 1, 185G. Willard 
Wilson w.as the resident trial justice from 1858-63 ; Charles A. Wight, 1863-64; 
Arthur Cook, 1861-67; Henry K, Merritield, 1807; Theodore S. Johnson, 
1867-71 ; and Silas A. Burgess, 1871-72. 

The Second District Court of Soulhcrn Worcester, which went into operation 
Aug. 1, 1872, has since hold here altorna'e daily sessions. 

Dr. Abel Wilder was a resident i)h3sician at Blackstone village from 1823 
till a few weeks preceding his death in New York, February, 1864 ; Dr. il. D. 
Southwick at MiUville from 1834 till his decease, June 9, 1875 ; Dr. B. Booth 
at Blackstone from 1865 to 1874. The settlement of Dr. \Vm. M. Kimball 
dates from 1840, and that of Dr. Geo. E. Bullard from 1855. Dr. D. McCaflVey 
took his office Dec. 14, 1874, and Dr. Frank J. King, August, 1877. 

In the war for the Union, the record of Blackstone vies in patriotic devotion 
with that of any other town. With a population of le.ss than 6,000 in 1860, 
the town appears to have furnished (without counting 61 re-enlistments) 652 
men for the military and naval service. Of these five only were drafted. 
Sixty enlisted in the navy ; 96 in company K, fifteenth regiment ; 66 in com- 
pany K, fift3--first (nine months) regiment ; and the rest served in some seventy- 
three other regiments and batteries raised in nine difTerent States. The 
commissioned officers were Capt. Moses W. Gatchell, company K, fifteenth 
regiment, killed in the battle of Ball's Bluff; Capt. Daniel W. Kimball, com- 
pany K, fifty-first regiment, afterwards captain in the fointh cavalry ; First 



WAR RECORD. 293 



Lieut. Edwin B. Staples, company K, fifteenth regiment, afterwards first 
licntcnant, captain and major in the fourth cavalry ; Second Lieut. Melville 
Howland, and Caleb IL Arnold and George W. Bolster, lifteonth rcginicut ; 
the last two promoted from the ranks successively to second and first lieuten- 
ants. Lieut. Howland died in hospital iit Poolsvillc, and Lieut. Arnold died 
of wounds received in the memorable battle of Gettysburg. The town records, 
no doubt, quite incomplete in this particular, show that twenty-seven died in 
hos|)ital (roni wounds or disease, and that nineteen were killed in battle. 

The Worcester County Bank, located at Blackstonc village, was incorporated 
May 1, 1849. Capital, $100,000. The corporators were Welcome Farnum, 
Silas n. Kimball and Dan Hill. It was made a national bank July, 18G5, and 
removed to Franklin, August, 1373. Until its removal, Henry S. Mansfield 
was president, and, except the first year, Moses Farnum was cashier. 

An act passed March 30, 1853, made Edward S. Hall, Chas. E. Hall, and 
Spencer M. Rice a corporation by the name of the Blackstonc River Bank, to 
be located at INJillville, with a capital (if $100,000, but the bank was never 
organized. 

The Blackstonc Savings Bank, incorporated April 20, 1849, failed to go into 
operation, as also did a bank incorporated under the same name June 12, 
1874. 

The Blackstonc River Lodge of Free and Accepted ^Masons organized under 
dispensation, Jan. 1, J856, and under its charter Jan. 1, 1857. Its number of 
members is ninety-five. The Masonic building, the property of the Lodge, 
was built in 1870. Cost $8,000. 

The Blackstonc River Lodge of Odd Fellows, No. 106, organized in 184(5, 
surrendered its charter after a few ^'ears' existence. 

The Magnolia Lodge of Good Templars, organized at Millville under a 
charter from the Grand Lodge May 21, 180(5, was for several years an efficient 
agency for the promotion of temperance. Owing to reduced membership from 
various causes the charter was surrendered Nov. 28, 1871. 

The IMackstono Valley Lodge, chartered about January, 186(5, was a vigor- 
ous organization for a while at Blackstonc village. It became extinct June, 
1870. Another lodge under the same name was chartered October, 1873, and 
continued in operation until June, 1877. 

At East Blackstonc March 22, 1869, was organized the Quick Stream Lodge, 
which is still a potent influence in the cause. Its whole life has been a very 
wholesome power. The weekly meetings, fully attended, are made interesting 
by a variety of exercises tending to the social and mental, as well as moral, 
culture of the neighborhood. Among its members are the most active and 
influential citizens of the place. 

Father Power of the Catholic Church instituted Oct. 22, 1877, the Ycung 
Men's Temperance and Banking Society for boys over fifteen years of age. 
Members are required to take the pledge and deposit fifty cents a month, re- 



294 TOWN OF BLA.CKSTONE. 



ceiving from the pastor a deposit book. If the pledge is kept to the eiid of the 
year, the money is returned to the member or deposited in bank to his account. 
Otherwise, the sum inures to the benefit of the church. The register of the 
society shows a membership of ninety-seven young men thus on the path of so- 
briety and money-saving. 

The oldest inscriptions on grave-stones are found at the ancient ground, un- 
enclosed, at Millville. The next in age are at Chestnut Hill. — In the woods not 
ftxr from John Darling's house is the remnant of an ancient cellar, near which 
is a «^ood well of water, whose perfect wall is monumental of colonial skill in 

masonry. The Blackstone Caual, ouce so prominent a feature of the town, 

whose candle began to burn in 1828, and twenty years later went out in the 
locomotive blaze of the Providence and Worcester Railroad, is now chiefly 
remembered by a few of its visible relics — traces of the towpath, the granite 
lock, moss-"rown, in its shelter of woods just below Millville; a freight boat 
sunk in the river hard by, its outline discernable in sunlight ; aud the eighteenth 
stone mile-post of the canal that enriched the public more than its proprietors. 
But a few years since one of the lock-houses was extant, used as a shoemaker's 
shop on Canal Street. — The Millville Hotel, the Lincoln House and the Union 
Hotel were built respectively in 1822, 1847 and 1853. The old-time tavern- 
stands were at Coverdale Place and Five Corners. Later, near the towu- 
house lot, was the Verry Tavern, aud another in the "Engley House" at 
Waterford.— The town-house was built in 1845, the "Arcade" in 1843, aud 
the "Blackstone Block" in 1849. It is said the latter went up as by magic, 
the work in part being done in night time, driven by the mandate of W. 
Farnum.— Gas introduced into Blackstone from Woousocket in 1853. — Stone- 
dam at Waterford built in 1859 by Daniel Simmons.— Iron bridge over Provi- 
dence and Worcester Railroad built in 18G7.— Steam fire-engine procured in 

1874. The "Harris Road" built in 1868, and the "Hiram Daniels Road" iu 

1873. Both these roads were stoutly resisted by the town.— Sept. 17, 1847, 
first locomotive whistle heard at Blackstone of Providence and Worcester 
Road. May 15, 1849 first train run over Norfolk County Railroad from 
Walpole to Blackstone, bearing one hundred proprietors of the road. — July 30, 
1854, cars run through Blackstone from Boston to New York over Norfolk 
County road. — June 2(5, 1877, President Hayes, en route to Boston, accom- 
panied by Mrs. Hayes, Secretaries Evarts and Schurz, Postmaster-General Key 
and Attorney-General Devens, tarried twenty minutes at the Waterford Station. 
A committee of the towns-people, by previous arrangement, met the distin- 
guished party on their arrival, aud brief speeches were made by the President 
and Messrs. Schurz, Key and Deveus to a crowd of some two thousand i)eople. 

Of men who have been conspicuous in the town, the name of Welcome 
Farnum stands foremost. His ability and enterprise were such as would have 
given him leading rank in any community. Of wonderfid energy and organ- 
iziu"- capacity, rapid in the operations of a mind that joined to great ambition 



NOTABLE CITIZENS. 295 



an imperious will, he was, iu largo aud true sense, a character of Napoleonic 
mould. In an important suit ho employed, as counsel, Daniel Webster, who 
is reported to have pronounced him the ablest client he ever had. It is quite 
impossible to exaggerate the profound impression this man made, not only 
upon the people of his community, but upon all others with whom he came in 
contact. Under the influence of his genius, the town took a start, and for a 
while so kept on in growth that the dreams of the towns-people prefigured the 
"city of Blaclistoue." He was the leading spirit in projecting and complethig 
the Norfolk County Railroad. He may bo said to have built it single-handed 
and alone. It was his first step in the execution of a grand and favorite plan ; 
for the New York and New England Railroad is but the fruit of his conception. 
However, it was his embarkation in railway schemes that wrecked the fortune 
he had amassed as a manufacturer. Not that his plans were ill conceived, but 
that they outran the limit both of individual means aud physical endurance. 
His lightning horseback trips into the neighboring country, his post-haste 
drives to Providence and Boston, aud the business bustle, but clock-work 
action, of his factory village, arc among the stirring things familiarly remem- 
bered by inhabitants of the time. An old farmer relates how he once drove 
past his field, reining up his horse to a moderate trot, and plying a half-dozen 
questions that turned an hour's business into a minute-glass. His health 
declined with his fortune, and for the nine years preceding his death. May 10, 
1874, he was an invalid. He died at the age of seventy- seven, on Prudence 
Island, Narraganset Bay, where for the last few years of his life he lived. His 
seclusion on that lonely isle, shorn of his power, but retaining much of the 
visor of his mind, was, with not a few persons who knew him in his prime 
and were familiar with his career, a singular reminder of Napoleon at St. 
Helena. 

Another man of power, both in the town and county, was Dan Hill. He 
was active and prominent iu municipal atfairs, and possessed rare tact as a 
manager. He operated largely in matters of real estate, and, though not a 
professional lawyer, performed much legal work in which he displayed marked 
ability. He was a senator of the county in 1844-45, and specially influential 
in the incorporation of the town. During its existence he was justice of the 
Blackstone police court. He died April 14, 18G4. 

Esek Pitts was a man of great enterprise and force of character. He has 
been styled "the pioneer woolen manufacturer on the Blackstone." In the 
protracted struggle over the county road from Uxbridge to Rhode Island, he 
was, perhaps, chief of the party favoring the project. It was through his 
ciforts that other important roads were laid out aud improvements made against 
much opposition. He died Sept. 12, 1834. 

The late Caleb Thayer was a devoted aud influential townsman. He was a 
foremost anti-slavery man, aud his political faith in that cause su9"ered no 
abatement in after years. The first representative of the town, he voted the 



296 TOWN OF BLACKSTONE. 



"twenty-five times" for Charles Sumner in the memorable contest over his 
election to the Senate. 

Among olliers of the departed, deserving honorable mention for their prom- 
inence and usefulness as citizens, may be named Darius D. Faruum, Silas 11. 
Kimball, Dr. Abel Wilder, Dr. Moses D. Southwick, John Cady, Hiram 
Daniels, Sylvanus H. Benson, Samuel Verry and Channing Smith. 

Of places in the town attractive for their scenery we should instance 
Daniels Hill, High Rocks, and the Intervale. From the Hill, a commanding 
view is had of surrounding towns, and, in a clear day, the eye easily notes the 
gray summit of Wachusett at the north, and eastward catches a glimpse of the 
heights round Boston. The view in summer is that delightful one of New 
England hills, — 

" Broad, round and green, that iu the summer sky, 
With garniture of growing grass and grain, 
Orchards and bcechen forests, basking lie, 
While deop the siiulrss glens are scooped between, 
Where brawl o'er shallow beds the streams unseen." 

A more rock-wild and picturesque scene than that of the High Rocks is 
scarcely to be met with in the county. From the line of the Biackstone dam 
the river descends abruptly over a ledge-jutting bed through a deep gorge 
•whose precipitous sides are walled with clilf and crag, and enshrouded and 
overhun" with a tangle of birch, oak, maple, chestnut and hemlock. The roar 
of the heavy waterfall at the dam and the runil)!iiig of the stream, dark in its 
very foaming, as it plunges downward through the gorge, unite with the sever- 
ity of the imprisoning rock-sides and over-arching woods to form a scene of 
impressive solitude and grandeur. 

In juxtaposition to this frowning piece of nature is the "Intervale," in scenic 
effect the most opposite, by whose way the gorge may be approached. The 
walk is along a clear, gurgling brook that skirts the hillside in graceful curves, 
correspondent to the majestic bend of the river, but high above its level. 
Undulatingly between the two, slopes the broad, M'oodless, lawn-like intervale, 
down which the l)rook lets here and there a cascade ; while close beyond the 
wido-Howiug Biackstone rises a ])ackgrouud of dense forest, whose darken- 
ing shade upon the great stream is in charming contrast to the sunlit green 
and the sparkling rivulet at your feet. The way along this exquisite landscape 
ends abruptly in the whirl and wildness of tiie High Rocks. Two phases of 
nature, so contiguous yet so diverse, are exceptional in the displays of scenery 
anywhere. 

A distressing catastrophe is associated witli the jilace, whose mention is still 
frequent in the conversation of the neighborliood. A gentleman and two 
ladies, Walter Thorp, Frances Cady and Georgiana Brown, were boating on the 
mill-pond in the afternoon of May 24, 1859. Too curiously trying the limit 
of safe venture, they found their boat caught by the current, carried over the 



SAD CASUALTY. 297 



dam, and with it its three luckless adventurers. With agonizing cries for help, 
they clung for a brief space to the boat, wedged end upright in the rocks. 
The}' then essayed to reach the shore, but were swept like chips down the 
rapids, the ladies to swift death, the man, sore bruised and exhausted, escaping 
to tell the story of his own tcmcr;ty. 

It should be observed of the town that, though signally fortunate in its 
facilities for I)usincss, — an uncommon wealth of water-power, combining with a 
situation centralized by its adjacency to the most populous of States, and by the 
junction of important railways, — it has nevertheless, notably since the decline 
of Welcome Farnum, uniformly suflercd drawback and incilia by reason of the 
non-residence of the major portion of its larger manufacturers. Had it enjoyed 
the growth, thrift and variety of industry that assuredly would have inured to 
it if all its chief business men, while profiting by its situation, had improved it 
by their residences and other home interests, it is easily calculable that Black- 
stone ere now had been the foremost town, if not the second city of the county. 
That the town now stands the tenth, while once it ranked the fourth muni- 
cipality of the count}', is due, not to the indolence of its people, but to the 
circumstance that their industry has enriched capitalists of another State in 
painful disproportion to their own industrial development. Assuming a state 
of things quite the contrary, the words of Rufus Choate were not a mere 
rhetorical flourish before the railway committee, in behalf of the Norfolk 
County Railroad, in 1847 : "Give us this road, Mr. Chairman, which we pro- 
pose to locate in Blackstone, aud not in Woonsocket, in the State of Rhode 
Island and Providence Plantations, — give it to us, and we will build a mag- 
nificent city in that old county of Worcester. Give it to us, and we will bring 
into action the mighty, but sleeping energies of nature, — water enough, sir, 
for two Lowells ! not one, two! I" 



298 TOWN OF BOLTOX. 



BOLTON. 



BY REV. ABIJAH P. MARVIN. 



CHAPTER I. 

GEOGRAPHY AND SURFACE — WATER SYSTEM — GEOLOGY — CIVIL ORIGIN — 
FOUNDING OF THE CHURCH — CONTROVERSY WITH REV. MR. GOSS — THE 
MINISTERIAL VETO — SOCIETY OF FRIENDS — OTHER DENOMINATIONS. 

This town, formerly a part of Lancaster, aud supposed to have beeu named 
iu honor of tlie Duke of Bolton, was incorporated in 1738. The act was read 
in the council, concurred in, aud signed by Gov. Jonathan Belcher, ou the 
27tb of June, old style. It has lost nearly half its original territory 
since its formation, hut is still of respectable size, being about four miles 
square. The south part was the basis of Berlin, aud a large section from the 
east was joined to Hudson. The present boundaries are as follows : On the 
north the town is bounded by Harvard, on the cast by Stow and Hudson, on 
the south by Berlin, and on the west by Lancaster aud Clinton. 

The 'fcography of the town has some interesting features. Bolton is made 
up of hills aud valleys, but the hills are long and broad, while the valleys are 
narrow. The hillsides, however, slope so gently that they are cultivated with 
profit, while they add greatly to the beauty of the scenery, aud furnish splendid 
views at a distance. Rattlesnake Hill is iu the north-easterly part of the town, 
where there is a large formation of limcttone. It w:is formerly worked, aud 
yielded a considerable quantity of good lime ; as many as a hundred aud fifty 
hogsheads per annum. The quarry is not exhausted, aud may again be worked 
with profit. This property has long been in the family of Gen. John Whit- 
comb. The region is, in some parts, wild, but, on the whole, agreeable in its 
aspect. Long Hill is near the eastern border. The greatest elevation iu the 
town is Wattoquottock Hill, which extends from about half a mile west of the 
centre towards the south-west to the border of Berlin. It is at)out three luiu- 
died feet above the valley of the Nashua, and is the highest land between Bos- 
ton harbor aud Wachusett. The State House can be seen in fair weather, and 
at the west and north an immense area of valleys, hills and distant mountains. 
The soil is moist and fertile on every side of the hill. There is a little pond 



TOPOGRAPHICAL FEATURES. 200 

on the western side of the hill, ahout half way fi-om base to summit, which, 
one hundred and twenty years ago, covered about two acres, and was supposed 
to be nearly forty feet deep. Eighty years since, when Whitney wrote his 
description, it had shrunk to one acre, and to half its former depth. Where 
there was grass growing then, boats and canoes formerly floated. This was 
known as Welch Pond. It is in a depression in the hill which extends from 
the Forbush estate, parallel with the range of the hill to the south end. The 
l)ond has been tilling since, till it is now very small. 

Wattoquoltock Hill descends gradually to its northern termination, allowing 
the roads from Lancaster an easier passage to the centre of Bolton. A little 
north of this spot, the chain of hill rises again almost t;) the southern height, 
and runs north through Harvard into Middlesex County. This was sometimes 
called Oak Hill. Its general name is now Bare Hill, sometimes spelled Bear 
Hill. Indications of the precious metals which have awakened tli(i expecta- 
tions of geologists and experienced miners, are ibund in this grand old hill, 
but the "diggings" have never rewarded toil. Between the southern base of 
this hill and the northern base of Wattoquottock, is a narrow "bar of hard 
laud, about fifteen rods in width." The traveled road passes on the south side, 
and the Lancaster railway track crosses it in part. On either side is low, 
swampy ground, fed by springs which fill it to overflowing. The water, on the 
south side, flows easterly and southerly through the centre, and into the Assa- 
bet, turning mills on its way. The water, on the north side, works its way, 
in a swift descending bmok, to the Nashua. On the cast side of Wattoquot- 
tock, on a level with Welch Pond, and nearly opposite to it, springs flow out 
and form a brook of never-failing water, which descends through rich fields 
into the plain below, and so on to the Assabet. The ponds are few and small, 
though some of them are sparkling gems in the landscape. One pond, or lake, 
or river, that was an object of curious interest and study, a hundred years ago 
and more, has almost disappeared. This was called "Still River," "Long 
Pond," or "Long Lake." The southern (u- upper end began about seventy or 
eighty rods north-east of the Centre bridge (east of the depot) in Lancaster, 
and, with varying breadth, extended three or four miles, through the west 
border of Bolton into Harvard. It had a small outlet into the Nashua, not far 
south from Still River bridge. This was its appearance less than a hundred 
years ago. Previous to that the n|)per end reached nearly to the base of the 
plateau on which the State Industrial School is situated. This end was a 
wide swamp, and had the romantic name of "Swan's Swamp;" across which 
the old road to Concord passed. North of the swamp was open water as far as 
and beyond the line of Ilsirvard. It covered part of the Capt. Joseph Whit- 
ney farm, where Andrew S. Nourse now resides, and the Haynes, Howard and 
Woodbury intervales, farther down the river. Gradually this large space has 
been filled by the annual floods, till n(jw nothing but a narrow stream can be 
found for two miles, when there is a widening of the water a few rods, and 



300 TOWN OF BOLTON. 



icuLbiug some distance to the north. This part is now the only real " Still River ;" 
though many, not knowing about the former state of things, thiuk the part of 
the Nashua near Still River station is what is meant. It used to be the opinion 
that the southern branch of the Nashua formerly kept along the eastern side of 
the intervale, and that it joined the northern branch from two to four miles 
below the present junction. This is quite probable ; and it is perhaps quite as 
probable that the northern branch once joined Ihc southern branch between the 
Centre and the Alherton bridges, and that the main stream flowed ;dong the 
eastern side of the intervale from the causeway to the northern end of Pine 
Hill. And, finally, it is not only probable, but certain, that the river, which 
is the mother of the intervale, has sported all over it at its "own sweet will." 

Geolo>yically speaking, Bolton has points of interest. In it arc two beds of 
limestone. One of these has been referred to, as producing very fine lime, 
nearly a century since. Forty years ago, it turned out amiuully from fifteen to 
twenty thousand l)ushcls of lime. These limestones are niagiiesian, and some- 
times so fetid under the hammer as to produce nausea. "The simple minerals 
imbedded in this limestone," says President Hitchcock, "are numerous and intor- 
estinc. The most common and abundant mineral is scapolile." It is both com- 
pact and also in crystals. Some of these are transparent ; some are opaque and 
white, others arc red. Bolton yields an abundance of this beautiful variety. 
Au<Tite ; actiuolite ; pargasite ; and radiated, fibrous and brown hornblende, arc 
found in the limestone. Phosphate of lime, green and purple ; petalite; serpen- 
tine forming a good verd-antique ; and rhomb spar, are common. A new 
mineral was found, which Dr. J. L. S. Thompson called bisilicate of magnesia, 
from its composition, but which is commonly styled Boltonite. These are 
species of minerals which are numerous in the town And the region north. 

The town was well-wooded when the white men first came, and notwith- 
standing all the waste by the first settlers, to whom furcsts were a nuisance, and 
all the removal of wood and' timber in recent years, there is still much wood- 
land, with the usual varieties of trees in this climate. 

Returning to the history of the town, we find that it belonged to Lancaster 
ninety-five years after that place saw its first two or three cabins, in 1G43, and 
eighty-five years after it Avas incorporated. Only a few had settled in the part 
now Bolton previous to the massacre in 1G76 ; but there is reason for believing 
that one of the garrisons attacked by King Philip's party, that is, Wheeler's 
block-house, was on the south-west slope of Wattoquottock Hill. After the 
re-settlement in 1679-82, venturesome people began to take up the land in 
Bolton, and by the close of the century quite a number had erected their Inmi- 
ble homes on its soil. When the dispute arose in Lancaster, in 1704-5, about 
the location of the third meeting-house, there were enough families in Bolton 
and Harvard to cause the Old Common to be selected for the site, though on 
the extreme east side of the mother town. 

The most weighty reason given by the petitioners for a new town, was the 



NEW MEETING-IIOUSE. 301 



difficulty of attending meeting on the Sabbath. Tliey state that many of them 
lived so far from the place of public worship — some of them in what is now 
Berlin— as to make the "Sabbath which should be a day of rest, to be a day 
of the hardest labor," especially to their children if they attended meeting, 
and they felt bound in duty to promote their future good and well-being " as 
M'cU as their own. They felt kindly to the old town, while seeking for the 
new, and close with the words : "We may pay as we do now until we have 
prepared for ourselves, and have the word of God preached with us." Their 
tirst petition was a few years earlier; this, in 173G, prevailed, and the old 
town gave the child her benediction. Here arc some of the names long familiar 
to the annals of Lancaster and Bolton: Wheeler, Moore, Pollard, Fairbank, 
Keyes, Whitney, Sawyer, Holman, Houghton, Whitcoml), Richardson. Jacob 
IIou2-hton was the tirst town clerk, and kept his records in the beautiful chiro- 
graphy of the early Iloughtons. 

The church was not formed until 1741, and it is supposed the people 
"payed" at Lancaster until then, according to their promise in the petition 
for a new town. Probably preaching and public worship were enjoyed before 
the organization of the church, which took place Nov. 4, 1741, old style. 
On the same day, the Kev. Thomas Goss was ordained their pastor. A 
meeting-house was built about the same time, and located near the centre of 
the town. This lasted till near the year 1790, when a new house was needed ; 
but, though the need was generally felt, the people could not be united in any 
plan until on a "Sunday afternoon in the dog-days, in the midst of the sermon, 
a tempest, which had some time l)een gathering, suddenly burst forth in fury ; 
the black clouds hung low overhead, the storm pelted, the lightning flashed, 
the thunder growled, and a powerful gust" struck the house. "The timbers 
cracked and groaned ; women screamed and fainted, and men and boys, glad 
of the chance, scuttled out at the door." This was effectual ; the voice of 
Providence bade the people "arise and build." A new sanctuary was erected, 
and in 1793 was dedicated to the worship of God. This house, having been 
remodelled in 1844, still stands, with the original shingles on the roof. "The 
underpinning of this meeting-house," said Whitney in 1793, "is very beauti- 
ful, and equal to any in the county, if not in the whole State. It is a white 
and pure stone, easily split into any size, and was discovered just when wanted." 
Mr. Goss was invited to settle, Dec. 15, 1740, and his salary voted; yet, 
after proceeding so far, disagreements arose, a new meeting was called, and 
all that had been done was annulled,. and set aside as illegal. It was voted to 
hear the candidate further, and also two other candidates. In May, 1741, it 
was put to vote whether " the town would choose by lott for a minister." That 
was negatived, and then it was voted "that Mr. Thos. Goss should be the 
minister of the town by forty-four votes qualified by law." Probably there 
were very few other voters in the town. Mr. Goss remained the sole minister 
in the town about thirty years. Though sought for with so much earnestness, 



302 TOWN OF BOLTOX. 



and settled with so much prayer, the time came wh;n a majority of his people- 
looked coldly upon him. The long period of trial, suffering and crimination 
that ensued cannot he recited in these pages. Something can be found in 
other pages of this work, and more in the historj' of Sterling, hy Mr. Good- 
win, in the old " Worcester Magazine." The story, though sad in many of its 
aspects, is worthy of being told at length, since it throws light upon a period 
of ecclesiastical history which is now closed. The opposition to Mr. Goss was 
partly personal, and partly a matter of principle. He asserted the veto power 
of the clergy, and the people resisted, rightly as to the point in dispute, 
erroneously in the matter of form. They carried their point, and dismissed 
him themselves, as no council would do it for them, and thus became, in fact, 
an Independent, instead of a Congregational Church. The ncighl)oring minis- 
ters would not fellowship them, and the difficulty was not healed till after the 
death of Mr. Goss. 

To effect their point, his opponents brought charges against him, the chief 
of which was that he drank intoxicating liquors to excess. In those days, men 
of every class and profession were accustomed to driidc, and those were very 
rare who never became excited. Mr. Goss denied that he ever, on any 
occasion, drank enough to destroy his control over his mind or 1)ody. The 
charge was not sul)stantiuted to the satisf\iction of any council. All the minis- 
ters in the adjoining towns — and they were men of high standing — were his 
friends. The following is a translation of the Latin inscription on his tomb- 
stone : "Sacred to the memory of Rev. Thomas Goss, A. M., pastor of the 
church in Bolton, who, for upwards of thirty-nine years, having exercised the 
sacred office, departed this life, January 17, 1780, in the sixty-third year of 
his age. A man adorned with piety, hospitality, friendship and other vir- 
tues, both public and private ; somewhat broken in body, but endowed with 
wonderful fortitude ; he was the first among the clergy in these unhappy times 
to be grievously persecuted for boldly opposing those who were striving to 
overturn the prosperity of the churches, and for heroically struggling to main- 
tain the ecclesiastical polity which was handed down by our ancestors. Friends 
erected this monument." He tried to maintain what was untenable ; but, if 
his people had continued to like him, probably no such issue would have been 
raised. Political and personal considerations became mixed in the strife. He 
was dismissed by the church and town, and forbidden, through a constable, to 
occupy the meeting-house. His friends followed him to his own house, where 
he held regular service until his decease. 

In the meantime, the Rev. John AValley ministered to the majority in the 
meeting-house, and continued in the place till his resignation, not long after 
the death of Mr. Goss. The ministers who followed were as follows : Rev. 
Phinehas Wright was settled Oct. 2G, 1785 (the two parties having been re- 
united in one liody), and continued till 1803, when he died at his post; Rev. 
Isaac Allen, who w.is settled in 1804, ilarch 14, and remained as the pastor 



SUCCESSIVE pastors: 303 



forty years, until March, 1844. Mr. Walley left a sum of money "as a token 
of his love to the churt'h in Bolton," (ho income of which was to bo devoted 
t<) the purchase of bil)les. Mr. Wright graduated at Harvard in 1772. Mr. 
Allen lived and died a bachelor. He was a kind and benevolent man, combin- 
ing wit and judgment. All his property, except a few small gifts, amounting 
to about twenty thousand dollars, was left to the parish " of which he had so 
long been minister." His successors have been Revs. Richard S. Edes, 1843-48 ; 
John J. Putnam, 1849-52; Thomas T. Stone, D.D., 1852-00; Nathaniel O. 
Chaffee, about two years ; Edwin C. L. Browne, 18G3-69 ; Ezekiel Fitzgerald, 
two or three years, and Nicholas P. Oilman. Mr. Edes gave considerable 
attention to gathering materials for the history of Bolton. 

The Friends or Qnakers were settled here early, and have always had a 
respectable society. Some notice of them may be found in the history of the 
First Church of Lancaster. They exercised their undoubted right to form a 
reliffions association, but were not always faithful to their covenant vows in the 
mode of withdrawal from the churches. The headquarters of the Friends is 
in the southern part of the (own, and their meeting-house is convenient to (hose 
who reside in Berlin. Mr. Edes says, "They have produced some of the best 
material for usefulness, for promoting (he general welfare and that of the rising 
o-eneration, we have ever had ; and have raised some of the best scholars that 
have adorned our schools." 

The Hillside Church, which was originated by the late Sampson V. S. 
"Wilder and a few olhers, had a brief, but active and efficient life. It was 
organized in April, 1830, with eighteen male and eighteen female members. 
This enterprise met a great waut at the time. There was no Orthodox Church 
in several adjoining towns. It was designed to accommodate Christians of (hat 
way of thinking in the towns of Berlin, Bolton, Lancaster, Harvard and Stow. 
The effort was a great success ; but the success was (he real and sufficient cause 
of its end in a few years. The first pastor was Rev. J. W. Chickering, D. D., 
who was succeeded liy three others in brief pastorates. The large and con- 
venient church was thronged, and many were added to the list of communi- 
cants. The result was that the converts from the neighboring towns were 
soon able and willing to organize churches and erect houses of worship for the 
benefit of themselves and those living near them. In time, (here were churches 
in Stow, Lancaster, Clinton ; and the Baptists and Methodists were encour- 
aced to new efforts. In about twenty years the work of (lie Hillside Church 
was done, Mr. Wilder had moved away, and (he edifice was closed, except 
for occasional religious service. For many years it has been an appendage to a 
lar^o estate, where cider, vinegar and domestic wines have been prepared. 
But (he fruits of the effort remain in several towns and a largo number of 
churches. 

A Baptist Church was organized in 1832, and has since maintained public 
worship, and been supplied with (he ministry of the wor 1. Says Mr. Edes in 



304 TOWN OF BOLTON. 



the address before quoted from: "Their niiiii>tcr8 :iiul nionibcrs have been 
among our resi)ccted and useful citizens, doing cordially their appreciated good 
work for the temporal as well as s[)iritual welfare of our communily. Their 
gem of a church adorns our principal thoroughfare, and their respected clergy- 
man is the chairman of our school committee, and is active in every enterprise 
for the public benefit." Their ministers have been as follows : Eider Goddard, 
1832-3(5; Levi M. Powers, 1836; Isaac C. Carpenter, 1843; John Walker, 
1844; P. S.Whitman, 184G ; Asaph Merriam, 1848; W. K. Davey, 1850; 
J. H. Giles, an Englishman, 1858; J. IL Learned, 1800; Kilburn Holt, 1803, 
during whose ministry the new church above spoken of was dedicated ; Joseph 
Barl)er, 1808 ; and Benjamin A. Edwards, who served the churv.h faithfully 
several years, and died greatly beloved and lamented in the year 1878. 



CHAPTER IL 



MILITARY HISTOnV SCHOOLS AND EDUCATtOX — PUBLIC LIBRARY BUSINESS 

IM THE TOWN EMINENT MEN NOTES AND INCIDENTS. 

The military record of Bolton has been patriotic in every generation. She 
shared, in her measure, in the hardships from Indian depredations which fell 
upon Lancaster previous to the great wars in the reign of George 11. In both 
the French and Indian wars, her quota was in the service. It was in the last 
war with the Indians and the Fiench, 1755-03, that John Whifcomb won bis 
reputation as a good soldier and officer. He went into the Revolution in the 
full maturity of his fiicnllies, with the title of colonel. When the messenger 
from Lexington and Concord clattered through the town, on the morning after 
the attack, shouting out that the red-coats were on the march, Whitcomb and 
his able-bodied townsmen were ready "to do and die for their country." The 
people, with few if any exceptions, were fully prepared for the clash of arms. 
As early as 1770 they voted in town meeting, John Whitcomb in the chair, that 
they would not "purchase one single article (except in a ciiso of absolute neces- 
sity) of any merchant or trader that had imported goods contrary to the agree- 
ment of the merchants of the town of Boston ; and that we shall esteem such pur- 
chasers enemies of their country and not tit to l)0 employed in any business of 
importance." They voted also to "abstain from the use of all foreign teas." 
This feeling grew in intensity as the time drew on when the collision came. 
The names of more than fifty men who wore in the service arc preserved in old 
receipts, orders for marching and for money, and other scraps of paper. Among 
them were several oflicers, as Col. John Whitcomb, Maj. Jonas Houghton, 
Captains Nathaniel Longley and David Nourse, Surgeon Dr. Abraham Moore. 



MILITARY AND SCHOOLS. 305 



Col. Whitcomb became a brigadier-general in the course of the war, and did 
honor to bis rank. 

There is no evidence that the last war with Great Britain, 1812-15, or the 
Seminole and Mexican wars awalioncd mncli enthusiasm in the town, though 
there were soldiers from the place in the first war above mentioned, and prob- 
al)ly troops went to Boston when summoned to the defence of our coast in 1814. 
It was felt in the later cases that slavery had much to do with the origin of all 
those contests ; and there never was much love for slavery in Bolton. 

But when the wicked Rebellion showed its head in the spring of 1861, the 
souls of the good people of Bolton, men, women and children, were on fire. 
" When the warning voice of the great storm was first heard," are the words of 
Mr. Edes, "when the mighty struggle was about to begin, which, before it 
was ended, was to make four million freemen out of four million slaves, this 
little town, nestled among the hills, obscure and humble though it was, was not 
found cither indiifcrent or asleep." The story of the war cannot i)e told, nor 
even of the part nobly done by the sous of Bolton, in these brief limits ; suffice 
it to say that the young men enlisted ; the old men encouraged ; the mothers 
and wives cheered ; the sisters and maiden friends, with fixlling tears but strong 
hearts, bound the girdle and sash round the manly forms that went forth to 
hazard their lives for freedom and union. While the soldiers were doing and 
enduring in the field, the women were working at home. They met from week 
to week to "put up hospital stores for the dear absent ones" exposed to the 
hardships of war. These soldiers numbered about one hundred and twenty-five 
of her own men, besides a dozen hired substitutes. Gen. Schouler credits the 
town with nearly one hundred and fifty men, but these included those furnished 
over and above the quota of the town, and who were not called into the service. 
Twenty-three gave their lives for their country. There are twenty-one names 
on the mural tablets in the town hall, but a few of these are claimed by other 
towns, and probably many sons of Bolton arc to be found on other rolls of honor, 
and are worthy of a place in the home record. It is impossible to do exact jus- 
tice to all without the gift of omniscience. 

The schools of Bolton are among its most cherished institutions, and teachers 
are held in high estimation. There are seven schools in the town, besides the 
Ilouglilon School. These are open seven months and six days j'carly, 
and the amount of money raised by taxes is $1 ,200 for the education of one hun- 
dred and eighty-three children, or $G.56 for each one. It is too late to learn 
when the first school was held within the limits of Bolton before its incorpora- 
tion, but as Lancaster kept schools open in all sections of the old town, as fast 
as they had scholars enough, it is not doubted that the children in the eastern 
part were under the care of a "school dame" in summer and a "master" in 
winter. As early as 1732 there were schools in Still River and Bare Hill dis- 
tricts, and it is quite possible that some children atteuded one or both of these 
schools, while others might have come to the Old Common. Of course, Bolton, 



306 TOWN OF BOLTON. 



when it became a town, complied with the law iu relation to the education of 
her children. It appears from the above figures that her schools are now open 
more than a month longer, each year, than the law requires, and the average 
attendance is nearly ninety per cent. 

The Houghton School was endowed liy the late Joseph Houghton, who died 
Nov. 7, 1847. He left $12,000 in money and eighty rods of land to build 
a school-house. The school was "to be kept near the centre of said Bolton, iu 
which such academical instruction shall be given as said town shall decide to be 
most useful." The town accepted the legacy, and the school was opened in 
October, 1849, iu the town hall. As soon as the school-house, which was paid 
for in part, if not wholly, by taxation, was finished, the school was permanently 
established within its walls. There were two singular provisions of the will, 
one of which was set aside by the Supreme Judicial Court. Nine families 
named in the will, with their descendants for a century, were excluded from 
.attendance. This Avas set aside as opposed to good morals, and the other pro- 
visions of the will were left valid. The second curious direction was that no 
teacher should occupy the position more than two years. Though this prevents 
the stay of a poor teacher, it forever prevents the possibility of obtaining the 
permanent services of one who is capable, and who devotes his life to the work. 
As a matter of fact, most of the teachers have remained but one year, but they 
liave generally given satisfaction. Young men of education and talent get a year's 
experience and pass on to a more secure position. The teachers, with few excep- 
tions, have been graduates of college. The others had received a good educatiou. 
In 18.56, a public library, free to all the inhabitants, was begun, and it has 
increased steadily in the number and value of its books, and in their circula- 
tion. This is, in an important sense, an addition to the means of education 
enjoyed by the youth, and all the people of the town in common. The sub- 
ject, after being discussed iu private, was brought before a legal town meeting, 
when it was found that the pul)lic sentiment was ripe for the measure. A 
public lihrary, provided for by tiie votes of the tax-payers, is an honor to 
them, while, if well selected, it Aviil be a fountain of intellectual and spiritual 
life to the whole community. 

• The whole business of the first generation or two was farming, and such 
handicrafts as were necessary to a farming community. Then came the making 
of pot and pearl ashes, the burning of lime, and the making of barrels, hogs- 
heads and hoops. As long ago as 1790, these articles were made in consider- 
able quantities. There were also "two famous brickyards," where more than 
two hundred thousand bricks were made annually. Later, and within the 
memory and personal experience t)f some, the comb business was carried on 
quite extensively by several parties ; especially by the venerable Francis Ilaynes 
and his brother Silas. The value of combs made in the five factories in 1837 
was nearly twenty-six thousand dollars. The boots and shoes manufactured 
came to over six thousand dollars. 



NOTED INIANSIONS. 307 



The population of the town in 1875 was nine hundred and eighty-seven; 
exactly the same as that of Berlin. The number of farms was one hundred 
and sixty-one ; the number of acres of land taxed was eleven thousand live 
hundred and seventy-one ; and the products of agriculture were worth over one 
hundred and seventy thousand dolhus. The dwelling-houses are about two 
hundred, and the houses connected with fiirms one hundred and fifty. Other 
buildings belonging to farms are two hundred and thirty-seven. The value of 
domestic animals was over sixty- five thousand dollars. The value of goods 
made and work done was thirty-one thousand six hundred and twenty-five dol- 
lars. Most of this was in lumber, cider and vinegar. 

The latitude of the centre is 42° 26'. The distance to Worcester is fifteen 
miles, and to Boston about thirty-two miles. Formerly, the road from Lan- 
caster to Boston, through Bolton, was a great thoroughfare, and the tavern of 
Gen. Amory Holman was noted far and near as one of the best, where the 
traveler was at home, and where the cookery was "done to a turn." 

There are many fine building-sites in the town, and several spacious and 
convenient residences. The Ilolman house in the centre is good in itself and 
pleasant in its surroundings. The residence and grounds of the late Hon. 
Solomon Henry Howe arc in a commanding situation. From the observatory, 
one can see over the intervening countr}' to the State House, while many a 
village and lofty eminence is scattered in every direction to the right and left. 
Turning westward, the valley of the Nashua, ever beautiful, and the broader 
reach of rolling country between the Bolton hills and the Wachusctt, form a 
magnificent panorama. Lofty mountains are the distant background. Here 
is one of the best farms is the county, which Mr. Howe took great pains, and 
was at great expense to bring up to a high state of cultivation. 

The mansion occupied by Mr. Jonathan Forbush for a generation, on the 
west slope of Wattoquottock Hill, is very spacious, and has interesting asso- 
ciations. It was owned and occupied sixty years ago by the father of Col. 
Wentworth Iligginson. He was followed by Mr. Sampson Wilder, who made 
it the home of an elegant and princely hospitality. The grounds were •adorned 
with trees and shrubs in great variety. The woods at the south-west were 
threaded with sylvan roads, and a unique cottage, styled Tadmor, was secluded iu 
the very depth of the forest. The stately Hillside Church, with its surrounding 
grove, opened its hospitable doors to worshippers from all the region. It was at 
this mansion that Mr. Wilder gave a splendid reception to Gen. Lafayette when 
the latter was making his tour of the country in 1824. He left Boston on the 
morning of September 3, and arrived at Bolton line about half-past eight in the 
evening, where he and his party were received by an "escort of cavalry and a 
large cavalcade of military officers, in full-dress uniform, in waiting, and were 
conducted by them" to the house of Mr. Wilder, at which place they were 
sumptuously entertained. This place was reached about ten at night, where 
the nation's guest passed under an arch inscril)cd : "The Great Jehovah, Wash- 



308 TOWN OF BOLTOX. 



ington aud Lafayette." Mr. Wilder entertained the general, his son and 
suite, besides other guests in great number, and surrounded the mansion with 
an extemporized company called the "Bolton Guards." In the early morning, 
the guests departed, but carried the memory of a brilliant reception Mr. 
Wilder had known Lafayette in France, and lii^hh' enjoyed the opportunity 
of giving him this proof of his admiring gratitude. But the pageant vanished, 
the chief actors long since passed from mortal sight, and only a faint memory 
of so much display remains. Sic transil gloria 7nundi. 

It only remains to add a few items. Nashua River cuts through the north- 
west corner of the town, and thus adds a long reach of fertile intervale to the 
fruitful soil aud charming scenery. The Old Colony Railroad comes into the 
south-west corner, where there is a station convenient to a portion of the town. 
The Lancaster Railroad traverses the town, ascending the western slope, and 
1)endiug through the centre, to the eastward, towards Hudson. When put in 
operation, it will give the inhabitants the best facilities for travel. 

Among the ph^-sicians resident in the town who are still remembered, we 
find the names of Amos Parker, M. D., Levi Sawyer, M. D., and J. L. S. 
Thompson, M. D. The only lawyer of note was a man by the name of Asa 
Johnson, and he was noted more for his singularity than his virtues. He was 
a solitary man, living almost alone. He had a daughter, whom he took pains 
to have well trained, but whom he disinherited because she m: rried without 
his approval. His table was supplied with the flesh of all sorts of "unclean 
animals," as well as with food common to decent families. But withal, he was 
a man of Intelligence, a sound lawyer, and had a fund of wit and hiunor. 
Being at Worcester at a session of the court, he was rallied by a young " limb 
of the law " about his articles of diet. " Do you like poUy wogs ? " said the rash 
youth. "Yes, but they would be unsafe for j'ou," was the repl}', "because 
pollywogs are sure death to goslings." The man, who had capacities for use- 
fulness and respectability, was atheistic in sentiment, became a slave of his 
appetites, and lost all public consideration before his decease. He was an 
unpleasant anomaly in an orderly and religious community. 

The late Rev. Richard S. Edes will long be remembered for his genial wa\'s 
and public spirit. It is a matter of regret that his knowledge of the history 
of the town was not left as a public benefit. The Rev. Thomas T. Stone, who 
has resided in the town since the close of his ministry, is respected for his 
ability and varied learning. The late Mr. George Grassie, a native of Scot- 
land, who is succeeded by his son George, on the homestead, raised a literary 
fiimily. Two of his sons, Rev. William and Rev. Thomas Grassie, are highly 
respected Congregational ministers. One daughter is the wife of Rev. Dr. 
Pepper, professor in the Baptist Theological Seminary at Chester, Pa. The 
other is the wife of Rev. Joseph H. Dudley of Wisconsin. 

The Farmers' Club is one of the most spirited town organizations in the 
county, and its annual fair is attended by grcjit numliers from adjoining towns. 



SURFACE AND WATERS. 30S 



BO YL ST ON. 



BY AUGUSTUS FLAGG. 



CHAPTER I. 



SECTION AND BOUNDARIES PONDS AND OTHER WATERS MINERALS AND SOIL 

RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS VILLAGES — POST-OFFICES, ETC. — SETTLEMENT 

AND INCORPORATION — INDIANS AGRICULTURE AND EDUCATION ANCIENT 

CHURCH AND FIRST MINISTRY ATTITUDE OF THE TOWN IN THE REVOLUTION 

AND REBELLION OLD FAMILIES. 

This quiet town lies in the easterly part of Worcester County ; seven miles 
north-east from the city of Worcester, and about forty miles from Boston. On 
the north it is bounded by Sterling and Clinton ; on the east by Berlin and 
Northborough. On the south lies Shrewsbury, and on the west, W^est Boyls- 
ton. The total area of the town, including roads and water surftice, amounts 
to twelve thousand two hundred and forty-three acres, being nineteen and one- 
eighth square miles. The surface is much diversihod, presenting a large share 
of very charming scenery. Mount AVachusett is clearly seen from the heights, 
as well as from the common in the centre of the town. The views to be en- 
joyed here are rarely surpassed for beauty, and the town has great attractions 
for the artist and tourist. 

Four ponds of considerable size and much beauty arc found here. Rocky 
Pond, in the east, is the largest, with a bottom wholly formed of huge bowlders. 
It has forty-five acres of surface, by the State survey. Its outlet, on the west 
side, fixlis into Cold Harbor Brook, in Northborough. Fish abound here, 
especially pickerel ; and from the number of Indian relics found near, it would 
seem to have been a favorite resort of that older people. On the east of the 
pond lies a rock bearing one of those curious impressions usually called " foot- 
prints." 

The other ponds lie in the southerly section. The chief of them is a sheet 
of twenty-three acres, called Pout Pond; the next has eleven acres, affords 
plenty of fish, and is known as Sewall's Pond ; while the last is a much lesser 
one, of five acres, named Spruce Pond. Sewall's Pond has an outlet to the 
northward, giving power to Banister's Mills, and passing through part of 



310 TOWX OF BOYLSTON. 



Shrewsburj' into Long Pond. Spruce Pond is of that class which arc slowly 
filling up with vegetation ; a few poor spruce trees aniong the oiicro;ichnient 
give name to the pond. 

Xo large stream appears here save the south l)rancli of the Xashua, which, 
formed a mile and a half to the west, in West Boylstou, by the junction of the 
Quinipoxet and Stillwater, runs some six miles in circuit within the lines of 
Boylston. This stream is everywhere bordered by rich intervales that j'icld 
abundant crops to the cultivator. Some lesser streams are noteworthy : Mudd}- 
Brook, once called Medegaskee, rises east of the village and enters the X^ashua 
at Seal Bridge, on its way moving a saw-mill and a box-factor}- ; Mill Brook, 
which also feeds the X^ashua, rises in the " East "Woods," and has a westerly 
course. There were formerl}' two saw-mills on this stream also. A third 
brook runs southerly, falling into Sewall's Pond. This once had upon it the 
saw and grist mill that l)ore the name of Locke's Mills. 

Mineral indications are not wanting; sulphuret of iron, or pyritc, is found in 
man}' parts ; quartz crystals are now and then observed, and gold is believed 
to exist. A ledge near the meeting-house attracts attention by its brilliant 
crystals, like diamonds. Good clay for bricks abounds ; and the best of build- 
ing stone occurs in nimicrous quarries about the town. 

All parts of Boylston are well accommodated Mith roads, and its many 
bridges arc kept in good repair. One of the latter is a fine structure of iron. 
One hundred and fifty-nine dwellings ai'e distributed over the territory, many 
of them new and all in comfortable style. Two post-offices serve the popular 
want, — one, and the older, at the northerly village, or Sawyer's Mills ; the other 
at the principal one, called Boylston Centre. There is also here a substantial 
town house of granite, six well-kept school-houses, a church at the Centre 
occupied by the Congregational Society, and another by the Catholics at Saw- 
yer's Mills. The mechanical industries appear in two saw-mills, one grist-mill, 
a blacksmith shop and a cotton factory, variously placed ; but the principal 
business of the place is, and has been, agricultural. 

Two notable villages, apart from the "Centre," claim some attention. The 
first, already mentioned, lies in the north section, and is called "Sawyer's 
Mills." In it is the only cotton factory in town, standing on the branch of the 
Xashua, and owned and operated by the Lancaster Corporation. It has 10,000 
spindles, keeps 90 hands, and makes 13,000 to 14,000 pounds of yarn weekly. 
Superintendent, Edward C. Forbes ; First Overseer, Albert Lee. The " Saw- ' 
ycr House," found here, is very old; a stone in the chimney bears date 1745. 
Here arc a store, post-office, a Catholic church of seventy members, aud a 
school with thirty-five scholars. The Massachusetts Central Kailroad passes 
through this place, being the first railroad in the town. 

The second village lies in the south-east part, and is known as " Straw Hol- 
low." It is, substantially, the property of Hon. David T. Moore aud his sev- 
eral sons. Mr. Moore is one of the wpuUhiest farmers of the region, who enjoys 



INDIAN PURCHASE. 311 



great public coutidciicc, and has held every prominent office in town alTairs and 
in tlie cliurcli. He is now quite aged, hut liighly respected h}^ all. This village 
is a model of modern agriculture ; here are sixty head of cattle, and five horses, 
with other stock. The business here was very largely in milk till 1878, when 
a " Creamery " with the " Cooley " apparatus was started, and goes on with high 
success. In 1878, there was furnished from this place to Boston, 55,224 quarts 
of milk and 17,G03 quarts of cream, selling for $G,1G5.13. A cider and vinegar 
factory also here, worked in the last year 19,801 bushels of apples, giving 866 
barrels of cider. 

A tract of land in the northern part of the town bears the curious name (jf 
the " Six Nations." It is said to derive it from the singular fact that here once 
lived six families, every one of a diflcrent nationality. 

Not far from this territory is another, covered with forest and known as the 
"East Woods." It enjoys an old-time reputation as a great haunt for rattle- 
snakes. 

The plain habits and salubrious air of Boylston contribute much to the some- 
what notable longevity of the people. Twenty-six deaths occurred in the alms- 
house from 1847 to 1879, most of which were of aged persons ; and the aggre- 
gate of these was two thousand and ninety-one years. The population has 
varied quite strikingly, as a few figures will show. Thus, it Avas — 

111 1793, 840 

" 1810, 800 

" 1820, 902 

" 1830, 830 

" 1879, 800 

It will thus be seen that, like all the farming towns of New England, Boyls- 
ton has suiTcred by the desertion of her sons and daughters at majoritj', for 
more atti'active pursuits elsewhere. 

This town received its present name in honor of the distinguished family of 
Boylston, so well remembered in and about Boston. Before its incorporation 
as a parish (by Act of Legislature, Dec. 17, 1742), and as a town, March 1, 
1786, it was, in civil and religious things, comprehended, about three-fourths 
in Shrewsbury and one-fourth in Lancaster. The north and north-east portions 
are of much antiquity, since they represent part of the original grant to Lan- 
caster (the oldest town in the county) made by Sholau, sachem of the Nasha- 
way Indians, in 1643, Avho dwelt near Waushacum Pond, now in Sterling. 
There was likewise another smaller tract in the northern section, conveyed lij- 
George Tahaoto, nephew of Sholan, by deed dated June 26, 1701 (13th year 
of AVilliam III. of England). The first actual settlement was made as early as 
1705, at or near Sawyer's Mills. It was done by Thomas Sawyer, a descendant 
of Thomas Sawyer, who was one of the first settlers of Lancaster, about 1647. 
Thomas the younger made his will in Boylston, in ^Nlarch, 1705. probably dying 



312 TOWN OF BOYLSTON. 

soon after. Of his five surviving sons, Thomas, James, Joshua, Caleb and 
Nathaniel, the first, with his sou Elias, was carried to Canada by the Indians 
the year of his father's settlement (1705). One John Bigelow was also taken. 
Sawyer interceded with the French governor for a ransom for the three, oflcring 
to build him a saw-mill on the Chambiay River. When the savages refused, 
and would have tortured Sawyer to death, a Jesuit friar came and warned them 
that unless they at once released him, he would send them all to purgatory, 
of which he held the keys. Fear did the w(jrk ; they set Saw^-er free, and he 
afterward built the mill, and then came home. 

It is not, indeed, known that the Indians ever visited this town in a hostile 
waj' ; but the settlers kept two houses garrisoned for some time, in the days 
of that anxiety, which lasted from 170.5 to, perhaps, 1718. These stood near 
the present dwelling of Charles Andrews. Fire-arms were customarily taken 
into the fields and elsewhere ; and we have hints of many false alarms. 
But no invasions appear on record ; though it is as good as certain, from the 
quantity of arrow-heads and stone implements found here, and the large store 
offish aff'orded by the river and ponds, both now aud anciently, that this was a 
fixed residence for large numbers of Indians. 

The agricultural disposition of the early people here still endures; and as 
stated, the farming interest is distinctive of the town. One hundred tmd 
twenty-four farms are found in it, generally well divided among the difi"erent 
forms of soil and product. Much of the more elevated land is jet very fer- 
tile ; aud the river bottoms and intervales are favorable both to hay and grain. 
The energy aud enterprising temper of tlie landholders is marked, and the 
result of this appears in the steady and ccnistant improvement in and around 
the dwellings even of the humblest. They now reckon in their personal 
estate 483 cows and 170 horses. Other live stock abounds. The valuation 
for 1878, gave : — 

Personal Estate, ......... Sll,0G5 

Real " 424,430 

Total, S43o,495 

Rate of taxation, $11.75 ; Total taxes, $6,740.90 ; No. polls, 227. School chil- 
dren between five and fifteen years of age, 180. Appropriation for schools, 
$1,600. The first such appropriation was in 1786, when the town voted fifty 
pounds for school purposes. 

Buylston has an excellent poor-farm, well kept and satisfactory; also a 
social library, organized in 1792, and now containing 384 volumes. As early 
as 1718 there were permanent settlers in both the norlh and south sections; 
and we find plentiful evidence of the great care taken by all for juvenile educa- 
tion, and for the institutions of the gospel. Yet for about twenty years, or 
till 1742, very little more than this can be learned of the general history' of 
the town. It is rather in the more general history of the county that we trace 



EARLY PROCEEDINGS. 313 

many things in which the people of Boylston must have been intimately con- 
cerned and interested. 

As already stated, for many years the relations of the people, civil and reli- 
gious, were with Shrewsbury and Lancaster. They had neither church, 
soeiet}', minister, nor burying-place of their own. It will not be forgotten 
that these were the times of the mere bridle-path through the forest, and of 
the log-house in the woods, never any too comfortable. Therefore, while these 
people where willing to travel far, if it were necessary, to meet for the wor- 
ship of God, they soon came to prefer a method that would allow them to 
su})p()rt the gospel at a point more easy of access to them. 

By 1740 they began to move for the organization of a distinct position ; and, 
as their largest connection was with Shrewsbury, they petitioned the people of 
that town for their approval. But Shrewsbury felt weak herself, and was not 
inclined to give up the help she had from the settlers in her northern woods. 
She opposed the idea with energy and great unanimity. Then the settlers 
resorted to the General Court, whei'c they met with more encouragement; and, 
on Dec. 17, 1742, an Act was passed to incorporate the " North Precinct of 
Shrewsbury." Under the ensuing settlement, the old town purchased of the 
new all their interest in the meeting-house for £32 10s., to bo paid when the 
latter had a new house erected and covered. It is no small proof of energy in 
those times, that the few who thus weutout, undertook to build a house, asaljove, 
and have it ready by the next June, or in about three months. Yet they seem 
to have carried out their purpose completely. Many interesting votes appear 
on the records of this early day, for a few of which only we have room. 

About a month after the granting of the charter, or on Jan. ID, 1743, the 
people first met and accepted the incorporation. They also made a simple 
organization; choosing Dea. John Kcyes, moderator; John Bush, clerk; and 
John Bush, Joseph Bigelow, Dea. Cyprian Keyes, Joshua Houghton and iVbner 
Sawyer, parish committee. At another date, February 7, following, they voted 
£2G 8s. to pay for the preaching already had, and £50 for the future supply of 
the same. They also then ordered the place of the new house to be in the 
centre of their proper territory, and set a surveyor to find and mark the spot. It 
was finally located on the town common, near the old buryiug-ground. Near 
it was an old school-house, on land now owned by Mrs. Levi Hastings. In the 
next September, church relations were dissolved between the two parties, with 
no objection ; and October 6, a month after, the old church was duly represented 
at the gathering of the new, which had then nineteen male members. Six- 
teen females, coming from the South Church, joined the North the next 
August. This made thirty-tive members derived from Shrewsbury. 

Rev. Ebenczer Morse was invited to settle over the new church ; and this, 
after some bargaining as to salary, he consented to do. The details of the 
negotiations are very entertaining. He was installed Oct. 26, 1743, six 
churches assisting, when the meeting-house had neither outside finish, pulpit 



314 TOWN OF BOYLSTOX. 

nor pews, doors nor windows, nor even a permanent floor. It was mostly 
finished iu the next year (1744). Individinds built their own pews where 
space was granted, as was then customary, and this continued till 17G1 at least. 
Mr. Morse remained with the church twenly-five years very harmoniously. 
He was born in Jlcdtield, IMarch 2, 1718, graduated at Harvard in 1737; 
studied law with Hon. John Chandler; and was married November, 1745, to 
Persis, daughter of John Bush. He was settled when twenty-five years old, 
and when the wish to do good must have been the chief inducement. But 
when the disaffection of the Colonies arose and threatened revolution, Mr. 
Morse appeared as a royalist. No arrangement could be made, as the church 
were wholly patriotic, and he was finally dismissed, Nov. 10, 1755. His whole 
ministry covered thirty-two years and fifteen days. Ho remained iu town, 
takini; up the practice of medicine, and also fitting students for college. His 
wife died May 6, 1788, and he followed her in 1802, aged something more 
than eighty-three years. 

After the retirement of Jlr. INIorse, a vacanc}^ continued for a while, until 
the church successfully called Rev. Eleazer Fairbanks to their pulpit, and 
settled him, March 27, 1777. He was a native of Preston, Conn., and a 
"•raduate of Brown University. In the autumn of 1781 he married Sarah, 
daughter of Dea. Aniariah Bigelow ; and remained in charge of this people 
till 1821, when he died iu Palraico, N. Y. The church at his settlement had 
seventy-one members ; during his stay it was increased b}- the addition of one 
hundred and thirteen more. 

Mr. Fairbanks was succeeded by Rev. Ilezckiah Hooper, ordained March 12, 
1794. A new meeting-house had then been built, finished in 1793, at a cost 
of about $4,500. His ministry was prosperous, though very brief, as he died 
about the beginning of 1796. He was a graduate of Harvard, of the year 
1789, and bore a reputation of the very best kind. 

Rev. AVard Cotton followed, being ordained June 7, 1797. This gentleman 
was born in Plymouth, March 24, 1770, graduating at Harvard in 1793. He 
continued over the church twenty-eight years, in which time ninety-eight were 
added to its immbcr. He was tlicn dismissed : yet he seems to have borne an 
excellent character. 

Rev. Samuel Russell, his successor, was a native of Bow, N. II., and a 
graduate of Dartmouth, 1821. He was ordained June 21, 182G, and in the 
winter of 1827 married Mary, daughter of Rev. Nathaniel Howe of Ilopkin- 
ton. Feb. 13, 1832, he asked a dismission, which was granted, and he 
retired April 17, following. He was a worthy man, but gentle, even to 
timidity. His ministry was prosperous, the additions to the church within the 
period being one hundred and four persons. 

The next incumbent was Rev. W. II. Sanford, who was ordained Oct. 17, 
1832. This gentleman found the congregation reduced, the ehuirh differing 
over theological questions, and the towns-people little united on any subject. 



WORTHY FAMILIES. 315 



He succeeded very far iu restoring harmony and promoting relations of peace 
among all, and valuable advancements were made in many respects. A new 
house of worship was built, and a new comnuuuou service obtained, partly by 
purchase and partly by donation. The Sabbath-school library was enlarged, 
and one hundred and fifty members were added to the church fellowship. Mr. 
Sanford was born iu Belchcrtown, Feb. 14, 1800. He was of the Harvard 
class of 1827, together with Pres. Felton, Chief Justice Gushing of New 
Hampshire, and Bissot Lee of Delaware. lie married Harriet Smith of Hop- 
kinton, N. H., Aug. 23, 1830; and resigned his pastoral charge Sept. 15, 
1857, having been with the church almost twenty-five years, and leaving as 
delightful a memory behind him as any minister, perhaps, ever seen iu their 
pulpit. 

A period of supply now intervened, until Oct. 17, 1861, when Rev. 

Ross was ordained to the pastorate. He was a man of fine talent, and 
took deep interest in the people of his charge ; but he chose at length to 
retire, and was dismissed, at his own request, Jan. 16, 1866. No settled 
minister has followed him ; but the pulpit is now filled by Rev. Henry S. 
Kimball of Candia, N. II. The church now numbers one hundred and three 
members, and is in an active and useful state, as are the several minor organi- 
zations connected with it. 

The attitude of Boylston in the Revolution was highly patriotic and faithful ; 
and she furnished both men and money freely to the struggle. A few of her 
people were suspected of Tory principles, and these she dealt with vigorously. 
^Ye learn of these among such : Rev. Ebenezer Morse, William Crawford, 
Jotham Bush, Benjamin Fisk, and Timothy Ross. Both Mr. Morse and INIr. 
Crawford were forbidden the possession of arms, and the first was confined to 
the parish limits, and the latter to his farm. 

In the Rebellion this town furnished forty-one men to the army, of whom 
seven were lost. There is no monument yet erected to their memory ; but 
their worth and excellence arc well remembered, and their graves, every 
" Decoration Day," lie thick with flowers through the love of those who keep 
up that good observance. 

In regard to the antiquity of families here, it is remarkable that none can be 
traced back very far, excepting that of Sawyer. The Bennetts were proba- 
bly from Watertown, and the Stones from Andover ; while the Bigelows are 
descended from John, v.ho was a captive among the Indians in 1705, and who 
was from Watertown. Hastings is a name from Newton, and Taylor came 
from jMarlborough in the person of Eleazer, who settled on land now of H. V. 
Wood, near the Central school-house. The Balls were early settlers, and 
from Watertown. The Newtons were from Marlborough, but are all left, and 
are thought to be in Shrewsbury. Keyes was an early name here, and well 
distinguished, coming from iMarlborough in 1720. The family now are in 
West Boylston. Te-aiple had the same origin, and a similar reputation. 



316 TOWN OF BOYLSTOX. 

Howe is a Watertown family, and honorably connected in England. Bush is 
a name from Mai-il)orough ; the progenitor, John, settled near the meeting- 
house on land now of Charles Andrews. Davenpout is a family descended 
from Rev. John Davenport, an original settler at New Haven in 1637, and 
thence to Boston, 1667, where his settlement led to the founding of the Old 
South. The Flaggs were early settlers here, partly from AYatertowu and 
partly from Concord. Thomas was in the former place, 1643. Gershom 
Flagg, living in Boylston, 1729, was his great-grandson, and a direct ancestor 
of the writer of this sketch. 

Some brief mention of a few distinguished citizens will l)e proper. Capt. 
John Andrews has been a leading man here for many years, having kept the 
hotel, and represented the town in the legislature in 1851. Another prominent 
man is H. II. Bragdon, who was our representative in 1848. He has been 
town clerk for thirty years, and parish clerk for forty. John B. Gough, the 
well-known orator, has a splendid residence here, and will alwaj-s have the 
gratitude of the people for his kind interest in the town. Levi L. Flagg has 
filled almost every town office, and is greatly respected. A. V. B. Prouty, 
Montraviile Flagg, W. A. Moore, Charles Moore, George Lamson, William 
Andrews, Patrick Griffin, P. P. Lane and Deacon F. B. Willard may all be 
named as standing high in public eStcem. deeply interested in education, and 
of notable usefulness in all the ways and duties of social and domestic life. 



CHAPTER H. 



EARLY TOWN BUSINESS — NEW TOWN HALL — THE BOYLSTON BEQUEST — THE 
THREE CHURCHES, OLD AND NEW — THE OLD BURYING-GROUND — THE NEW 
CEMETERY INTERESTING EPITAPHS. 

The first meeting of the town, after its definite incorporation, was March 13, 
1786, when Ephraim Beaman was moderator, and the following ticket, 
interesting from being the first, was elected, viz. : 

Selectmen — Ezra Beaman, Jonas Temple, Timothy Whitney, Jonathan 
Fassett and John Hastings. 

Assessors — Ephraim Beaman, Jonas Temple and Edmund Stiles. 

Town Clerk, Aaron Sawyer. Town Treasurer, Joseph Bigelow. 

This meeting was held in the old, or first meeting-house, which, as already 
intimated, had little of comfort about it. The present town house, its contrast 
in almost all respects, is of stone, sufficient in size, and two stories high. The 
hall for public assembly is above, the first floor serving for a commodious 
school-room. The corner-stone of this edifice was laid August 21, 1830, and 



BURIAL-GROUNDS. 317 



the building at once crectecl. It owes its existence to the followinir circum- 
stance : 

On account of the name selected for the new town, Ward N. Boylston, Esq., 
of Princeton, heir of Thomas Boylston, sometime of Boston, but who died iu 
England, gave this town the sum of £40, to be kept at compound interest til! 
it became sufficient for the erection of some public building here, as he should 
direct. Iu a visit made here in 182G he found his fund grown to about 
$1,000. Dying in the next January, he added by will $300 more, directing 
that the whole should be used to build a substantial structure of stone, like 
that described. This was accordingly done, and a sketch embodying these 
facts, prepared by Rev. Mr. Cotton, was placed under the corner-stone. We 
add the names of the present board of town officers : Selectmen, II. V. Wood, 
Elmer Shaw, W. A. Moore; Town Clerk, II. H. Brigham ; Treasurer, 
L. L. Flagg. 

Returning to the ancient meeting-house, with its comfortless arrangements, 
we find that these were helped out, to some extent, by the following expedient. 
An old house then stood untenanted on the ledge near the present church. It 
was very rude; it had only a single room, in the centre of which was the 
chimney, with a fire-place on each side. This was called the "Noon House," 
and was resorted toby all those worshippers who came too ftr to return between 
services. Here they brought their lunch, built their fires, and were comfort- 
able through the intermission. This building stood till about forty-live years 
ago, when, its use being ended, it was removed, and made into a dwelling- 
house. 

The second meeting-house, that of 1793, was a dilTerent thing from the first. 
It was very large (G5 by 53 feet), and finished throughout. In its cupola 
hung the bell, east in England, and given by one of the Boylstons. It, stood 
west of the Common, and somewhat lower down, very near the site of the 
present Central school-house. A gallery ran round three sides, leaving the 
high pulpit on the north. A smaller gallery appeared still higher, devoted to 
the "people of African descent." The square pews, and seats turned upon 
hinges, will be noted as similar to all in New England in that day. This house 
had a stove, but no chimney, the funnel passing through a window instead. 
The house, exclusive of land, cost some $4,000, but, on account of its location, 
it was always somewhat productive of ill feeling, and after the separation of 
AVest Boylston it proved too large for any congregation using it, and as cheer 
less, almost, as its predecessor. It was, therefore, abandoned and demolished 
in 1835, and a new one erected on the east, or upper side of the Common, 
being that now standing at that point. This is a neat modern structure, well 
finished, and furnished very comfortably. It was dedicated Dec. 10, 1835. 

The two burying-grounds of the place are both near the Centre Village, and 
afford much material for local history. The "Old Yard," lying southwest of 
the Common, was originally sold the town by Elcazer Taylor, about 1743. 



318 TOWN OF BOYLSTON. 



The first bodj' interred here was of n child, as appears by the inscriptiou ou 
the headstone : 

"Here lies the body of Turner Ma^-nai-d, son of Elisha and IIuMa Maynard, 
who died Apr. 14, 1745, aged 11 mouths and 11 days." And on the foot- 
stone: "Thi-! is the first l)ody that in this l)urying-ground doth Ho." This 
grave is near the entrance, on tlie right. Many names of good local distinc- 
tion arc here. Rev. Ei)euezcr Morse, the first minister, has a granite monu- 
ment ; the Andrews family a tomb, with date, 1789. A stoue erected very 
early bears a Latin inscription, composed by Mr. Morse. As translated by 
Mr. Charles A. Stearns, it reads : 

" This monument was raised, among manj* sighs and tears, in memorj' of John 
Flagg, late of Harvard College, Cambridge, New England ; who died, a citizen of 
Shrewsbmy, the 30th day of Jan., 1785, aged twenty-four years and twenty-nine daj's. 
He was a son of Steplien Flagg, and of Judith, his wiie. He was a 3'ouug man who 
was pre-euiiuent in talent, untiring in studies and labor, rational in religion, strong in 
the Christiau faith, a kinsman especially beloved by his relations. In death he was 
resigned to the Divine law, triumphaut over all misfortunes of life, fears of death, and 
dread of the hereafter. Let those surviving at the home of the blessed one follow him 
and imitate his example. Let them remember that they too must die." 

This ground enjo3-s a donation from James Longley, Esq., of Boston, who 
gave $.500, Apr. 30, 1803, to be invested, and the interest, at five per cent., 
to be spent in the repair and adornment of the spot. 

"The New Burying-Ground " lies west of the meeting-house. The north 
part was a gift from Col. Jotliam Bush, and the remainder was purchased of 
his son. The first interment was of Abel Hastings, in 184.5. Hero arc 
numerous moninncnts of great elegance. Hero, also, lie some of those who fell 
in the war of the Rebellion, and one soldier of the Revolution. Aninng the 
former is to be noted Ferdinand, son of the late Willard Andrews, a ^oung 
man of great worth and talent. Also, we must not omit John Partridge, an 
eminent yoinig man of this town. His mother was the first to decorate the 
soldiers' graves with flowers. And who, indeed, has a more tender heart than 
a loving mother? May flowers be always scattered in the paths she travels in 
this life, and after death let her grave be reverenced continually I 



INTRODUCTORY NOTES. 319 



THE BROOKFIELDS. 



BY REV. ABU AH P. MAKVIN. 



The close relation of the Brooktiekls to each other requires that they should 
l)c o'rouped together in this historical sketch, instead of being arranged in 
alphabetical order with the other towns in the county. The case is peculiar, 
inasmuch as the town which is most recent in date, that is, "West Brookficld, is 
the scene of nearly all the events which give special interest to the early 
historj^ of Brookficld. Moreover, that part of the old town wliidi is now called 
North Brookficld became a parish before there was a church in what is now 
the town of Brookfield. In other words, the most ancient events in the 
town's history belong to the youngest of the three towns, as they now exist ; 
and that part which bears the name of the original town is the youngest of the 
three in the order of settlement and parochial organization. I shall therefore 
s'lvc, in the first place, the history of the whole town under the name of Brook- 
field, down to the time of the first division, when North Brookfield was set off, 
noting with care the precise locality of events, so far as possible at this late 
day, and then continue the history of the whole remaining town until ^Yest 
Brookfield was incorporated in the same way. From this last date the history 
of Brookfield proper will be brought down to the present time. The distinct 
histories of North Brookfield and West Brooktield will be given from the time 
of their incorporation. 

As the formation of the whole Brookfield territory is a section of the county 
by itself, it will be described as a unit. That it is peculiar is evident to the 
glance of the, traveler, as he swiftly glides through on the express train. It 
becomes plainer as he rides more leisurely in an open carriage. This section is 
flanked on the east by the high and rocky hills of Spencer and Charlton, and 
on the west by the broken and almost mountainous country of Warren. Across 
it, south of the middle, is a broad valley, through which, b}' a winding course, 
runs the Quaboag River, from east to west. This valley, eight or ten miles 
long, is partly covered by water, partly by swampy land, a part is raised just 
enough above the water level to bear English hay, and the rest is irregular 
upland, gentle hills or extended plain. 

The south line of the town is crossed midway by South Pond, about a mile 
in length, lying partly in Sturbridge and partly in Brookfield. A brook, 



320 TOWN OF BROOKFIELD. 

wideuccl into a canal, flows from this pond to Podiink or Quaboag Pond, a fine 
sheet of water, equal to about a mile square, and lying at the lowcist level 
of the valley. Smith's Pund, at tiie village of East Brookficld, flows into 
Poduuk, and the united waters pass by the Quaboag River towards the west. 
North of East Brookfield is an upland swale. Between Smith's Pond and 
Podunk is a grassy swamp. West of Podunk, on the sides of tlie Quaboag, is 
another swampy formation. These swamps, so called, are tilled with living 
water, and large sections of them are covered with grass, so as to lend a rather 
pleasing aspect to the landscape. 

Towards the western end of the long valley, and west of the village of West 
Brookfield, lies the Wickaboag Pond, which extends a mile and a half, north 
and south, and adds an inexpressible charm to the scenery. Around this little 
lake and its vicinity cluster the tragic stories of early life in Brookfield. The 
Quaboag River runs just south of the pond, and receives its outflow through a 
brook that l)reaks from the south-west corner. 

The long valley thus descril)ed determines the other features of the old 
township. From it the land rises to the south into a long line of hills, down 
whose sloping vales many brooks run perpendicularly to the Quaboag. In like 
manner the land rises towards the north, but into detached hills, which send 
their rills and brooks southward to the larger stream in the valley. All the 
hills in the northern section of the Brookfiekls are fashioned after the same 
model, though greatly varying in size. These hills, with scarcely an exception, 
extend from north to south. A horizontal section of them would give an 
eccentric ellipse, the longest diameter being north and south. Some are very 
large, but others are placed between, of variable magnitude. They rise with 
great regularity on every side, from base to smooth and rounded top, and are 
cultivated all over the snrfoce. They are not parallel to each other, but on 
parallel lines, and thus, by their size, their shape and their position, give a 
blending of uniformity and variety which is eAtromely pleasing. 

There is one exception to the general formation of this "hill country," and 
that is the "Old Meeting-house," or "Foster's Hill," just east of the village of 
West Brookfield. The base and sides of this hill and the elevation, for almut 
two hundred feet, is simihir, I)ut the top is almost a dead level. It would 
seem as if the upper third had been cut ofl", leaving the frustum of an elliptical 
pyramid, whoso surface is from a quarter to a third of a mile in diameter. 
On this broad platform the original settlement was located, and hero the meet- 
ing-houses stood from the beginning till the middle of the last century. From 
this summit, nearly the whole of the old township is in plain sight, and it 
seems as if formed to suit the convenience of ail the people in the valley and 
adjacent hills during the first century of the town's history. 

The soil of the towushi|) is good for all kinds of trees and vegetables common 
to the interior of the Stale. The grass-lands are clothed with a verdant herb- 
age. The geological formation is gnoissic, and the waters are impregnated 



FIRST SETTLEMENT. 321 

with iron. Large qiiantilios of iron-ore have been taken from Wickaboag 
Pond. The crops in this summer of 1879 are luxuriant, and many liinds of 
fruit abound iu every direction. With this mental map in mind, the reader 
will proceed to the history of the Brookfields. 



BROOKFIELD 



CHAPTER I. 

ORIOmAL CONDITION INDIAN INHABITANTS FIRST SETTLEMENT BV WHITES 

DISTURBANCES — OUTRAGES AND MURDERS FEMALE FORTITUDE FIRST 

MEETING-HOUSE MORE DESTRUCTION FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR — ATTEN- 
TION TO SCHOOLS MEETING-HOUSE FINALLY BUILT WHITEFIELD's VISIT. 

The old town, including a part of New Braintrce, which once belonged to its 
territory, was a favorite haunt of the Indians. It was the only place much 
frequented by them between Lancaster and Worcester on the east, and Spring- 
field on the west. The hills and valleys, the ponds and streams of this inland 
basin, were just suited to their needs, their convenience and their taste. Here 
was ample sjjace for planting, hunting and fishing. All that the Indian craved 
of earthl}' good was here furnished to his hands. A lazy life, with intermittent 
exertion, obtained for him just enough for present subsistence, and he was 
careless of the future. His squaw could raise corn and squashes, and, when 
driven. by hunger, he could catch fish or game to supply his immediate want. 
Of course he always sought for a place where game and fish abounded, and 
where the soil was of easy cultivation. Here, therefore, a branch of the tribe 
of the Nipuets, Nipmugs or Nipmucs had their homo or centre of life, though 
often wandering outside of the valley in war or in the chase. The branch or 
faction of the Nipuets who lived here was called the Quaboag Indians, the head 
sachem of whom was Quacumquasit. Their home or headquarters was chiefly 
on the west and north of Wickaboag Pond, iu West Brookfield. They fre- 
quented the l)orders of the stream that comes from New Braintree to the pond. 
This was the haunt of the Quaboags, and the place about four or five miles 
north of the pond was their "chief seat." Some writers, earlier and later, 
have styled this the "chief seat of the Nipmuc Indians," but it was simply the 
capital or chief seat of the Quaboag company, faction or tribelet. The first 
notice of them is iu connection with the murder of three of their number iu 
1647, between Brookfield and Springfield, and of five others killed iu 1648, 
about half way to Lancaster. These nuirders were committed liy Indians. 



322 TOAVN OF BROOKFIELD. 

The tribe, ns wc shall call this portion of the Nipmiics, engaged Mr. Eliot, the 
apostle of (he Indians, to make an appeal to the authorities in Boston to secure 
the punishmiMit of the murderers; but, as these Indians were not then subject 
to the Col()i)\-, interference was wisely declined. Speaking of these Indians, 
Wiuthrop writes: "Tlicre arc several small factions at Quaboag, and in all 
near places there arc other small ttxctions. No one faction doth rule all. 
And one of these petty factions hath made friendship with Cutshamoquin, 
but I believe they will stick no longer to him than the sun shines upon iiim." 

The first year in which wliite men became historically connected with the 
place was lOGO, when a "grant of land six miles square" was made to certain 
inhabitants of Ipswich, on condition that they would have twent}' families set- 
tled there within three j-ears, and an able minister, approved b\r the court, 
settled there Avithin (he same period, and that thej' should make provisions for 
his support. The General Court acted on the conviction that a settlement 
provided with such a minister would form a homogeneous town that would act 
in harmony with similar towns and with the whole Colony. 

In what year the first settlers put in an appearance is not certain. The Rev. 
Dr. Fiske,who had studied the history of the town, thought it was "somewhat 
probable there were some small beginnings made here b\- the English I)eforc 
this grant." But of this there is no certain proof. The town historians date 
the first occupation by the English in the year 1G60. The settlers purchased 
the land of the natives, and thus acquired a double title, legal and equitable. 
Their coming did not exclude the Indians, but both parties "lived together in 
friendship for some time." The purchase was made on the 10th of October, 
1G65, of Shattocquis, who claimed to be the "sole and proper owner." Having 
a grant from the General Court, the settlers felt secure against all claimants. 
Although it is not possible to fix the date of the first white occupation of the 
place, it is matter of record that there were enough inhabitants on the ground 
to be incorporated as a town in Ihc year 1073. There was a condition in the 
act, as appears by the following words : The court judged meet to grant the 
request of the inhabitants of Qualjoag, "and the liberty and privilege of a 
township, provided they divide not the whole land of the township till they be 
forty or fifty families; in the meantime, their dividings one to another exceed 
not two hundred acres to any present inhabitant." By the summer of ICuo, 
there were at least twenty families in the town, who had a meeting-house and 
preaching though not a settled minister. 

The enterprise, so auspiciousl\' begun, was exposed to a speedy reverse. 
About the middle of July, 1675, a band of Nipniucs from King Philip's neigh- 
borhood, murdered four or five people in Mendon. This was the first war- 
like attack of the Indians uprm the people of the Colony since the landing of 
the Pilgrims. Other signs of hostility induced the authorities to take imme- 
diate measures of precaution. Agents were sent to the Nipmucs, by whom it 
was made certain that they were inclined to unite with Philip. Still the Indians 



INDIAN ATTACK. 323 



exprcsticd a desire for peace, and iip|)ointcd a day for making a treaty. The 
•2d of August, old style, was the day for the meeting. The Indians had 
made such repeated protestations of friendly designs, that when Capts. 
Wheeler and Hutchinson came with twenty men, to make a treaty, some of the 
principal men of the town rode with them unarmed to the jilace of rendezvous. 
The place was on the hill at the head, or north end of Wickaboag Pond. The 
Indians were not there. Though this excited some fear, yet the party rode 
forward towards the " largest collection of Indians," at that time in the region. 
This was four or five miles up stream, and in the southern border of what is 
now New Braintree, but was then u part of Brookfield. Here was "the Nip- 
uets' chief town." The foe was on the watch. Says Dr. Fiske, in an histor- 
ical discourse : " When they came to a place called Meminimisset, a narrow 
passage between a steep hill and a thick swamp, they were ambushed by two 
or three hundred Indians, who shot down eight of the company, and mortally 
wounded three more, Capt. Hutchinson being one of the number." The rest 
returned to their home by another path, in order to avoid a second ambush. 
The Indians followed them, but the people, taking alarm, flocked together in 
the "principal house." This house was without any doubt, a fortified house 
on Foster's Hill, the flat-topped elevation east of the village of West Brook- 
field, already described. But the precise location of this "principal house" 
is in dispute. The better opinion is that it stood on the north-eastern brow of 
the bill, or a little way down that hill-side, and not far north-west from a honse 
which now stands on that slope, and known as "Mr. Marsh's house." 

The people and the soldiers who survived the attack in the woods, being 
gathered into the house, were comparatively safe, though the only way in which 
it wns "fortified" was by rolling up some logs on the sides, and the hanging 
up of a few feather beds to catch the bullets. The Indians soon followed and 
" set fire to most of the buildings." About twenty houses were burned in sight 
of the agonized owners. All the barns and outhouses perished in the flames, 
with all their contents which the savages did not secure as plimder. They next 
besieged the garrison, and watched every chance to pick oS a man. At one 
time the besieged were surprised by a bright light in the midst of darkness. 
The Indians had placed combustibles by the side of the house, and set them on 
fire. The men went out, and though exposed to IjuUets irom every available 
quarter, they put out the flames without the loss of a man. " Innumerable balls 
entered the house" during the siege, yet only one man, who was in the cham- 
ber, was killed. One day a man was wounded as he was drawing water. He 
was bidden from the foes by a board fence, but one of them seeing the well- 
pole descending, took aim at the spot where he thought the man was standing, 
and hit him under the chin. The wounded man, in afl'right, called out that he 
was killed, when the Indian, knowing the voice, shouted, "Me kill Maj. Wil- 
son." The siege continued through the second, the third and to the close of 
the fourth day of August. At one time the Indians made a more elaborate 



324 TOWN OF BROOKFIELD. 

attempt to sot the house on fire than was usual with them. Indeed, the effort 
seems without parallel in their annals. They took a couple of barrels, made 
holes in the centre of the heads, and inserted a pole for an axle-tree. They 
next joined two rows of poles toselher till they reached about fourteen rods. 
A string of the poles was fastened to each end of the axle, and wheels were 
placed under the double line of poles at suitable intervals. Next they piled 
up combustiliies on the end nc;irost the house, set them on fire, and I)}' push- 
ing at the other extremity, moved the burning mass against the garrison. It 
was a fearful hour, but they escaped death by a timol}' interposition. Accord- 
ing to Hubbard, the historian, a violent rain fell so suddenly as to extinguish 
the flame. It seemed to the besieged to be a special interposition of Provi- 
dence. Increase Mather docs not refer to the niin, but sa3's that Maj. Wil- 
lard, followed I)y forty-eight horsemen, arrived just in time, late on the night 
of the 4th of August, and raised the siege. Ho had been sent to scout in 
the neighborhood of Lancaster, as it was feared the Indians meditated an 
attack on that town. When within a few miles of that place, the Major, 
hearing of the dire extremit}- of the garrison at Brookfield, acting on his own 
discretion, hurried to the scene of action and rescued the garrison. Sentinels 
were on the watch to notify the Indians of his coming, and they fired alarm 
guns, but these were not heard by the besiegers. Thus it happened that the 
Major escaped ambush, and appeared on the scene in the very nick of time. 
It is said that the "cattle seemed to rejoice at his coming, and to hail him as 
their deliverer." Tliey were frightened l)y the burning of the buildings, tiie sound 
of guns, and the j'clling of the savages, and appeared to know that the white 
men were their friends. They ran to the troops for "protection, and followed 
them till they arrived at the besieged house." This stampede of the cuttle served 
a good purpose, for their noise made the Indians think that the troop was 
inmierous. They set fire to the meeting-house, and the only remaining house 
and i)arn, and disappeared in the woods. The peril of the garrison having 
been made known, soldiers came in from different quarters, even from Hart- 
ford, from Springfield, and from the coimt}' of Essex. But the savages were 
invisible. It was afterwards learned that Philip came to Brookfield on the 
fifth, heard the story, rewarded some of the leaders in the bloody ambush, and 
induced the Quaiioags to join him in another expedition, which extended towards 
the towns in the valley of the Connecticut. The greater part of the troops moved 
to Hadley to thwart the Indians, and pi'otect the settlements in that quarter. 
Two of the principal leaders in the attack on Brookfield, were afterwards 
seized and tried for their violation of the agreement with the English, and their 
assassination of Capt. Hutchinson. One of these was Sam or Shoshanim of 
Lancaster. He was hanged with Neatump, sachem of Quaboag, on Boston 
Common. 

Here we meet a question of interest to all admirers of the noble and heroic 
qualities of Maj. Simon Wiihird. Dr. Fiske states that his conduct in 



SETTLEMENT CHECKED. 325 



altering his course and going to tiie relief of Brookfield "being dictated by 
humanity, and executed with bravery and guccess, gained him the applause of 
people in general. But as it was beside his orders, ho was censured by the 
court and cashiered, which disgusted his friends and l)roke his Iieart." Joseph 
Willard, the historian of Lancaster, in 182G, having investigated this aflair 
with his usual llioroughness, was convinced that the statement was erroneous. 
There is no record, in the doings of the General Court, that Maj. AVillard was 
cashiered or censured. Moreover, he was busy all the fall and winter in the 
public service, both as conimaudcr-in-chief in the field, and as a member of the 
council. Hence it is inferred that the whole statement of Dr. Fiske has no 
foundation. He has even been censured by some for putting the matter in print. 
But it is hardly conceivable that the Doctor had no ground for writing as he did. 
He could not have invented a liction of the kind. Is not the following the true 
solution of the question? There was no formal accusation of Maj. Willard; 
he had no trial, was not censured by the General Court, and was not cashiered. 
But he had departed from his orders ; in consequence, before his return, the 
Indians fell upon Lancaster, which he had been sent to defend, and several lives 
were sacrificed by the enemy. It is not difficult to infer, human nature bein'' 
the same in all times, that the people of Lancaster and their friends would be 
apt to censure the Major for not defending them, instead of depaitiiig from 
his orders, and going to a distance. Though he was sagacious and loyal, yet 
by the course he had taken, the town where he had long resided, and of which 
he had been, as it were, a father, had suffered a grievous loss of life. This 
must have weighed upon his sensitive spirit, and if the censure of others came 
to his ears, it is quite possible that a burdened heart hastened his decease, 
which took place in the spring of 1676. 

The settled part of Brookfield on aud near Meeting-IIouse Hill was a desola- 
tion. It is said that the plantation was broken up, though one writer denies 
this with spirit. If any intrepid settlers remained on the ground, there is no 
record of municipal or church action for a series of years. There was a grant 
of land to Joseph Woolcot, in 1687. There is an entry ou the records of 
the General Court, date of 1692, in these words: — "Upon reading a petition 
from the inhabitants of Brookfield, alias Quaboag, praying that a committee 
may be appointed as formerly, to direct and regulate the settlement of said 
plantation, and the affairs thereof, ordered, that a committee be appointed." 
By this it is clear that the plantation was in working order by 1692, or sixteen 
years after the burning of ail the buildings, though it did not work very 
smoothly. We may rest satisfied that people had been movingin slowly during the 
years between 1680 and 1692, when the above petition was sent to the General 
Court. When the town was authorized, it was not endowed with full powers 
of self-government, but was i)lacod under a committee made up of gsnllomen 
residing in other towns, who directed and regulated all affairs. Probably hero, 
as was the case in Lancaster during a short period, the committee gave 



326 TOWN OF BROOKFIELD. 



direction to the selectmen, in relation to certain matters, and in other things, 
exerted direct authority. This arrangement in Brookficld lasted until 1718, or 
about forty-five years. Without said committee, says Dr. Fiske, "the inhabi- 
tants could not take up for themselves, or grant to others, any lands. And it 
was by the direction and assistance of said committee, that monies were 
granted, a meeting-house built, and a minister chosen." 

According to the Rev. Joseph J. Foot, who published a very valuable 
historical discourse, "it was a long time before the inhabitants dared to return." 
Otl>er writers take the same view, with the exception of Rev. Dr. AVhiting, 
who admits that the plantation was hardly alive, but claims that it was not aban- 
doned, and that the Court encouraged the planteis. As the scattered families 
came back, they took measures for protection. Gilbert's Fort was in the west 
parish near where the school-house stood in 1828. On the hill north-west of 
West Brookficld village a tower was built, from which the movements of the 
Indians could bo watched. It stood upon a rock. A story has come down 
from early times that at the close of a cloudy day, a company of Indians were 
seen lurking in the woods at a little distance, by the sentinel. The guns 
belonging to the fort had by mistake been left in the tower, and the sentinel 
knew that if he alarmed the people, they would come for their guns, and while 
unarmed be killed by the enemy. Putting the guns in order for an attack, 
he waited till dark, and then fired in the direction where ho had seen an Indian. 
The tire was returned, whereupon he shot away in the direction of the flash. 
Beine protected himself, he kept up this single-handed contest for some 
hours, until the firing ceased. As blood was found in different places in the 
morning, it was supposed that several Indians had been killed or severely 
wounded. 

Below the junction of the stream which flows from Wickaboag Pond with 
Quaboa"- River is a knoll on which Marks's garrison stood. There is a story 
connected with this place. Mrs. Marks, being left alone on a certain day, 
saw Indians in the vicinity, who, as she supposed, were waiting for a chance 
to attack the settlement. Putting on her husband's wig, hat and greatcoat, 
and taking his gun, she went to the top of the garrison and marched backwards 
and forwards, vociferating like a vigilant sentinel, "All's well; all's well." 
The enemy were deceived, and, supposing there was a force within, prudently 
withdrew. 

• Goss's garrison was west of Wickaboag Pond ; Jennings's or Banister's 
warrison was north-east of the present village of Brookficld, probably, which 
proves that settlers soon took up lands beyond the present boundary of West 
Brookficld. 

Previous to the burning of the town and the dispersion of the people, a 
meeting-house had been built, and meetings had been regularly held ; but 
there is no recorded evidence that a church had been organized, or a minister 
settled. There is a tradition that there was a settled minister, and that 



NEW IkEEETING-HOUSE. 327 



Rev. Thomas James preached the first sermon ever delivered in Brookfield. 
Kev. Mr. Smith was in the place previous to 1713, and in 1715 Rev. Daniel 
Elmer, who had been for some time "carrying on the work of the ministry," 
left the place. 

In the mouth of November, 1715, the people agreed to build a meeting- 
house, "wherein to carry on the worship of God. It was to be forty-five 
feet in length, and thirty-five feet iu width." This house was set up on 
Foster's Hill, and was on the north side of the road, and nearly midway of the 
summit level. The exact spot where the people worshipped between the 
burning of the first meeting-house in 1675 and the erection of the second in 
1716 is not known, but it is thought by some local antiquarians that they 
assembled during several years in a fortified house ; perhaps in Gilbert's Fort, 
which was near the centre of the west parish. But a few years previous to the 
building of the second house they probably met in the "town house," which 
stood nearly opposite the ancient homestead of the Foster family. The second 
meeting-house was built on the spot where the first had stood, and here it 
remained until the third sanctuary was erected in the village of West Brook- 
field iu 1755. 

The old meeting-houses stood iu a very "sightly place," and, though the hill 
was difiicult of ascent, there must have been a sense of satisfaction to the early 
settlers whenever they stood on that eminence, and surveyed the goodly land 
that lay outspread before them. And there, after forty years from the time 
when their first house of worship had been destroyed by the ruthless foe, on 
the 5th of April, 1716, the Rev. Thomas Cheney was invited to become the 
minister of the town, by the inhabitants in town meeting assembled, Thomas 
Barnes being moderator. Not till the 16th of October, in 1717, or eighteen 
months later, was the church organized, when Mr. Cheney was solemnly sit 
apart as its pastor. Thus he was the minister of the town as a parish before 
he was the pastor of the church. 

Returning to the secular history, it appears that the committee of super- 
vision were ready to vacate their ofiicc. They reported to the General Court 
that after "various disappointments, by war and otherwise, by the good 
providence of God," the people had increased to nearly fifty families, had 
nearly completed a very convenient meetinghouse, had settled a church and 
ordained an orthodox and learned minister. In view of these facts they 
desired to be released from any farther responsibility, and proposed that the 
plantation should be invested with all the powers and privileges of a town. 
The names of the committee were Samuel Partridge, Samuel Porter and Luke 
Hitchcock. The suggestion of the committee was ratified on the 12th of 
November, 1718, and Brookfield became a self-governing town. The next 
year an order of the General Court, made iu 1701, that the grant of Brookfield 
should be eight miles square, was reaffirmed, and a new survey ordered to be 
made, because the old plot had been lost. This was done, and then the action 



328 TOWN OF BROOKFIELD. 



of the town in choosing town officers in the preceding March was approved and 
confirmed. This last action was taken on the 3d of December, 1719, by which 
it may safely be conclnded Brookfield was a town to "all intents and purposes 
whatsoever." 

But dnring those years, from the outbreak of King William's war in 1G02 to 
1710, the town was in an insecure and troubled state from the hostility of the 
Indians. In the course of this war, the savage enemy made frequent and sud- 
den attacks, killing, scalping, or carrying captive those on whom they could 
safely fall. A number of men, women and children were killed; some were 
wounded, and others were taken prisoners. According to Dr. Fiske, who 
made a specialty of this part of the town's history, the first inroad was made 
near the end of July or the beginning of August, 1()!)2. The case of Joseph 
AVoolcot and his family is a fair example of many deeds of l)lood. A party 
of Indians had broken up two or three families, and Mrs. Woolcot was filled 
with apprehension. Her husband being at work, one day, at a little distance 
from the house, she took the children and went out to meet him. " When they 
returned to the house at noon, they found the Indians had been there for his 
gun, and several other things were missing." Seeing an Indian drawing 
towards the house, Mr Woolcot sent his wife and two little daughters to hide 
in the bushes, and taking his little son under one arm, and his broad-axe in his 
hand, went out with his dog in sight of the enemy. "The dog being large and 
fierce, attacked the Indian so furiously, that he was obliged to discharge his 
gun at the dog to rid himself of him ; immediately upon which Woolcot sat 
down the child and pursued the Indian till he heard the bullet roll down the 
gun, the Indian charging as he ran. He then turned back, snatched up his 
child and made his escape through the swamps to a fort. His wife being 
greatly terrified, discovei-cd by hershricks where she was ; and the Indian soon 
found and dcsiiatclied both her an<l her children." 

At another time — few dates are given by the local annalists — a jiarty of 
Indians entered the hfiuse of a Mr. Masou, while the family were at dinner. 
They killed Mason and one or two children, and taking his wife and an infant 
whom they had wounded, carried them captive. They seized two brothers, 
Thomas and Daniel Lawrence, the former of whom they killed. John Law- 
rence, their brother, "rode with all haste" to Springfield for help, when a 
company under Capt. Colton, marched speedily and pursued the Indians. They 
found Mason's child knocked on the head, and thrown into the bushes. Pur- 
suing they found the enemy in a brush fort, and when morning came, they 
drew near, and putting the muzzles of their guns through the brush fired ujion 
the Indians with such good aim that fourteen or fifteen were killed. The rest 
fied in haste, leaving iirms, blankets, powder-horns, and their two prisoners, 
Daniel Lawrence and Mrs. Mason, who were taken to their homes by the sol- 
diers. John Lawrence was afterwards killed. Mary ^Macintosh was fired upon 
and killed while milking. On a certain da}', — date and place not mentioned, — 



FUETFIER ATTACKS. 329 

Robert Grainger aiul John Clary wcic fired upon ; Grainger was killeil at 
once, and Clary, attempting to escape, was shot. 

Here follows a series of horrors, in the language of Dr. Fiske : — 

"Thomas Battis of BrookQckl, riding express to Iladlc}', was killcrl in the wilder- 
ness within the hounds of Bclcliertovvn. Earlj- one morning John Woolcot, a lad ahout 
twelve or fourteen 3-ears old, was riding in search of the cows, when the Indians fired 
at him, killed his horse from under him, and took him prisoner. The people at Jen- 
ning's garrison — just north-east of Biookfleld Village — hearing the firing, and con- 
cluding the people at another garrison were beset, sis men set out for their assistance, 
hut were waylaid by the Indians. The English knew not theh' danger till they saw 
there was no escaping it. And, therefore, knowing that an Indian could not look an 
Englishman in the face and take a right aim, the^' stood their ground, presenting tlieir 
pieces wherever the}- saw an Indian, without discharging them, excepting Abijah Bart- 
lett, who turned to flee and was shot dead. The Indians kept firing at the rest, and 
wounded three of them. They were preserved at last b}' the following stratagem. A 
large dog, hearing the firing, came to our men, one of whom, to encourage his brethren 
and intimidate the Indians, called out, ' Captain Williams is come to our assistance, 
for here is his dog.' The Indians seeing the dog, and knowing Williams to be a famous 
warrior, immediately fled, and our men escaped." 

At length wc find one of the delights of a true annalist, a date, though as 
usual, the place is wanting, except vaguely it was in ''the meadows," and the 
date is qualified Ijy the word " about," the last resort of u inau who can not or 
who will not track a fact to its origin : — 

"About the 20th of July, 1710, — it was now Queen Anne's war, — six men, viz. 
i^benezer Ha_\ward, John White, Stephen and Benjamin Jennings, John Grosvenor and 
Joseph Kellogg, were making hay in the meadows, when the Indians, who had been 
watching an opportunity to surprise them, sprung suddenly upon them, despatched 
five of them, and took the other, John White, prisoner. White spying a small company 
of our people at some distance, jumped from the Indian who held him, and ran to join 
his friends ; but the Indian fired after him, and wounded him in the thigh, by which he 
fell ; but soon recovering and running again, he was again fired at and received his 
death wound." 

Another story is handed down to us which illustrates the strange fascination 
which Indian life and habits have always had upon the minds of some who 
were born in civilized, and even in Christian families. The child of Rev. Mr. 
Williams of Dcerfield is a well-known example. The case in Brookfield was 
that of John Woolcot, the boy mentioned above, who was captured and taken 
to Canada at the age of twelve. Remaining there six or seven years, and 
living wholly with the Indians, he forgot his native tongue, and became so 
familiarized to savage life as to lose all desire to return home. In some such 
cases, when children taken in very early years were ransomed in youth, they 
became reconciled to civilized life, and even lost all hankering alter the forest 
and the wigwam. Perhaps that would have been the case with AVoolcot if he 
had not lost his life in the following manner : Some years afterwards, in 1728, 



330 TOWN OF BROOKFIELD. 



iu a time of peace, he came down the Comiecticut River with another mau, 
having a load of skins and fur. At a certain place they were hailed by Indians, 
but steered for the opposite shore. The Indians pursued, and landed at a 
short distance from Woolcot and his companion. Shots were exchanged, and 
Woolcot was killed. 

From the close of Queen Anne's war, Brookfield had a long period of peace 
and prosperity. The population increased rapidly. Other towns were molested 
by the Indians, — Rutland as late as 1723,— and some of their inhabitants 
slain ; but Brookfioki, though often alarmed, w.as never again invaded, nor was 
any person in it killed or taken captive. Though alarms hindered Iheir indus- 
try, and at times the fear of the savages made life a scene of disquietude, they 
were saved from the terrible discii)line of the tomahawk and the scalping- 
knife. 

During the war of 1745-48, or the old French and Indian war, as it used to 
be styled, Brookfield men were in the service, and bore their part of toil and 
sufferings, yet hostilities did not come down to their borders. Fort Diimmer 
and other posts at the north served as a curb to the enemy, and guarded the 
region below a certain line. 

The local historians, except Rev. Eli Forbes, are singularly reticent in regard 
to the part which Brookfield bore in the last French and Indian war, in which 
Quebec was taken by Gen. Wolfe in 1759. Mr. Foote has only this para- 
graph : "In consequence of the annoyance occasioned by Indians instigated 
and employed by the French, it was deemed expedient to undertake an expe- 
dition for the conquest of Canada. Extensive preparations were made by the 
inhabitants of this place to bear their part in carrying the project into execu- 
tipn. Arms and auununition were procured and stored in the house of Gen. 
Dwight, now owned by I\Ir. Nathaniel Lynde. Winter was regarded as the 
most favorable time for the expedition, and hence a quantity of 'snow-shoes' 
was made and deposited in (he same place to facilitate the enterprise." And 
this is all, though it is on record at the State House in Boston that Brookfield 
furnished her quota during all the years of the war. Besides, this town was 
the thoroughfare througli which soldiers, l)oth Colonial and red-coats, marched 
to the seat of war. Lord Amherst and other British generals led their troops 
through Brookfield on the way to the posts about Lake George, and, still later, 
other detachments marched over the same road towards Canada. When the 
French and Indians under Gen. Montcalm, iu 1757, took Fort William IIenr>, 
and all New England was in a panic, Col. Oliver Wilder of Lancaster led a 
company through the town, on the way to Springfield and the north-west, to 
unite with other forces in repelling the enemy. Happily, it was only a 
"scare," and the soldiers soon returned ; but what excitement in the town as 
the soldiers passed through ! what checrings and encouragement from old and 
young ! Doubtless, Brookfield sent her company at the same time. 

In the campaign of 1755, Brig. Ruggles of Ilardwick was in the expedition 



TOWN MATTERS. 331 



against Crown Point, under Sir William Johusou. lu the battle in which 
Baron Dicskau was defeated, he was second iu command, and gained a high 
reputation. In the campaigns of the two succeeding years, ho acted with the 
commission of colonel. With an interval of one year (1758), he was in the 
service to the close of the war, and received, among other rewards, an ofBce 
which was worth the sum of £3,000 per annum ; an enormous sum for a man 
living in a small inland town iu the middle of the last century. The reason 
for introducing his name here is found in the fact that his regiments were 
made up of men recruited iu the towns in his vicinity, among which Brookficld 
supplied the largest number of men. The old muster-rolls contain the names 
which will doubtless emblazon the pages of some future "History of Brooktield." 
Mcnutiine, the curious reader may peruse the sermon of Mr. Forbes, who was 
chaplain to Ruggles's regiment two years, and also decipher the rolls iu the 
State archives. 

A few excerpts gathered by Dr. Whiting, who has a talent for this kind of 
research, will illustrate the times: "Novembers, 1710. 10 Pounds granted 
towards mending the Mill Dam in the said Town, and such of the Inhabitants 
as are by the enemy driven from their Houses and Livings be admitted into the 
Service as Soldiers that are capable thereof, and his Excellency shall please to 
entertain." This was approved by Gov. Dudley. 

In December, 1715, there was a meeting of the committee and the inhabi- 
tants also, of which the record is: "The committee then ordered a highway of 
six rods wide be laid out from the place where the meeting-house is to be built 
down to the new county road on the side of Coy's Brook." This was ordered 
by the committee, it seems, the inhabitants "being present and listening." 
But at the same meeting these inhabitants "exercised some power," for they 
chose a committee of three " to order and to take care to carry on ye building 
a bridge over Quaboag River, at Mason's Point." Another committee was 
chosen to take charge of a " bridge at Marks River." So it seems that the 
committee authorized and "ordered" the work, but the town chose the agents 
to do it. Another entry in the recoids of the same day reads thus: "The 
great field upou ye phiin shall be sufficiently fenced, and at no time laid open " ; 
and "a pair of bars or gate at each end were to be kept shut." This field is 
now the l)eautiful common in the village of West Brookfield. 

The following is the beginning of the record of the first independent town 
meeting: "The town being dismist from the committee, held its first town 
meeting, Dec. 15th, 1718. Voted : Left. Philip Goose, moderator." It was a 
goose that once saved Rome, according to history, and, doubtless, Brookfield 
was blessed by the vigilance of a Goose. The above is called the "first 
town meeting," yet Brookficld had been a town, with a brief interregnum, 
from 1673, or forty-five years. The apparent contradiction is easily recon- 
ciled. So long as the "committee" supervised the town, it was a town in 
leading-strings, or iu a state of pupilage, but chose all its own ofliccrs, who 



332 TOAYX OF BROOKFIELD. 



curried out the orders of (he committee. The people also, uot only in private, 
but sometimes in public meetings, gave expression to their sentiments, which 
were respected by the committee. This was the case in other towns, and 
without doubt in Brookfield. 

In 1720 occurred this action : "The town was of opinion that the power was 
wholly in the town to make grants of land." IIow the rights of the original 
grantees had been forfeited or vacated does not appear. 

The first trace of an appropriation for education is found in the records for 
1731, when it was "Voted, that the selectmen provid SchooU Dames in ye 
several parts of the town for 3 or 4 months in the Summer Season."' Also, 
"Voted, that any numl>cr of persons that are Minded to build a SchooU house 
may set it up in ye highway or common Land, near ye middle of the town." 
And the same "privilige in any other part of the Town" was voted to any 
desiring it. In 1733 fifty pounds were voted for schooling. Doubtless the 
children enjoyed some moans of education from the beginning, and through all 
the years preceding 1731, for the law of the Colony, the intluence of the 
clergy and the spirit of the people combined to secure it. 

a' few items from town and colonial records will properly introduce the 
sketch of the ministry of the first settled pastor. In a petition dated Oct. 25, 
1692, they speak "as havciug some encouragement we shall speedily have a 
Minester of God's Word amongst us." In 1098, November 24, (he following 
resolve of the representatives was consented to by William Stoughton, acting 
governor. "In answer to the petition of the inhabitants of Brookfield, 
Resolved, that there he twenty pounds paid out of the public treasury of this 
province towards the support of an Orthodox minis(er for one year, to commence 
from the time of the settlement of such a minister amongst them." A similar 
"rant was made in 1702, June 27, with a reason therefor as follows : " Whereas, 
the plantation of Brookfield, lying on the great road betwixt this Tier Majesty's 
province and (he colony of (\)nnec(icut, being a usual and necessary s(age for 
travelers and post betwixt the two grants, is anew l)egii)ning (o be se((k'd, and 
yet unable to support itself without receiving some assistance from (he govern- 
ment, being a garrisoned place. Resolved £20, towards (he supi>ort of a 
chaplain to that garrison for the present year be paid out of (ho public 
treasury." The same svnn was paid the next year, "considering (he ex(raor- 
dincry impoverishing circumstances the town of Brookfield's under by reason 
of the present war." In 1705 there was a similar grant, with this condition : 
"Provided such minister be approved by the ministry of the neighboring 
towns." The two following years brought a grant of "£20, provided such 
minister be approved by the ministry of the three neighboring towns." The two 
nearest towns on (he east were Lancaster and Worcester, and the nearest on 
the west was probably Springfield. The General Court did not waste its funds 
on uncertified clerical (ramps. 

A similar appropriation was made until 1715, with the following specifica- 



MINISTER SETTLED. 333 



tion ill 1714: "£20 towards the maintenance of Mr. John James in the work 
of the ministry at Brookficld the year current." In the same year action was 
talven in the "way of inquiry about a grant made to " Mr. Phillips sometime 
Minister of the said place." Then comes the record of measures adopted for 
huildins a meeting-house, already cited. The town, — there was no church at 
this dafe, — on the 5th of April, 171G, voted "to give Mr. Cheney for his 
salery, fivety-two pounds, yearly for three years, and to rise forty shillings a 
year until it comes to seventy pounds, and then stay." They also voted to 
iiuild him a house and barn, according to the " Deracntioiis y' he had given," 
l.ut he was to provide glass, uails and iron. In addition, they voted to break 
up and fence and tit to sow eight acres of land, part of it at once, and all 
within four years, and to get Mr. Cheney twenty-five cords of wood yearly 
during his life. The final vote was this : "To give Mr. Cheney, each man one 
day's work yearly, for six years. His house and barn to be built in four years. 
Always jirovidcd Mr. Cheney be our ordained minister." The reply of Mr. 
Cheney shows that his spelling was about as good as that of his people. 
AVebster's spelling-book did nf)t I)ring in correctness and uniformity till two 
generations had passed away. "Gentlemen, as to y^ Dimentions of ye House 
& Barn you Propose to Build for me. In case I should Settle amongst you, 
it is my mind and desire with Respect to my house : y' y*^ Lcnght may be 42 
foott. The wedht 20 foott ; as to ye stud, fourteen foott stud and as to ye 
barn That it may be 30 foott long, and 20 foott wide w*" a Lentow on one 
side. This from your servant, Thos. Cheney." He agreed to fnruish glass, 
nails and iron for house and barn. Grants of land, about the same time, made 
him a large landholder, and gave him enough to do, if he improved his estate, 
to demoralize his ministry. ^ But, as ho was a faithful pastor, it is prol)able 
that the principal management of his worldly affairs was put into other hands. 

The following votes of the town throw so much light on the former pro- 
ceedings of towns, in the matter of settling ministers, that they arc copied 
literally :—" Voted, That the Reverend Mr. Cheney shall be ordained Minister 
tbr the Town. The Third Wedn., in October next is apointed and sett apart 
For Mr. Cheney's ordination. Voted, That INIr. Tilly Merick & Joseph 
Banister aquant Mr. Cheney with the Town's mind & as to the day agreed 
upon for his ordination." Mr. Cheney agreed to the time, whereupon, "Voted, 
That Tilly Merick [and others] Doe take care that suitable Provition be made 
for such Elders & Messengers as may bo called to assist in our ordination." 
Also, "Voted ; That we celebrate and sett apart a Day of fasting & Prayer to 
implore God's Presents w" us in this solemn & weighty matter, which Day is 
lelt for Mr. Cheney to appoint. Full and clear votes. Test, Thomas Gili)ird, 
moderator." Yet up to this there was no church. If there ever had been, it 
was extinct, because we are distinctly informed that the "Church was gathered 
and Mr. Thomas Cheney was ordained Pastor, October IG, 1717." The 
sermon was preached by the celebrated Rev. Solomon Stoddard of Northampton, 



334 TOWN OF BROOKFIELD. 

and in his day the most influential minister in the Province. The subject of 
the discourse was "The duty of Gospel Ministers to preserve a People from 
Corruption." This was the second church gutliered between Marlborounjh and 
Springfield, according to Rev. Dr. Whiting. The church in Lancaster was 
organized in IGGO ; the church in Marlborough in 1(166; the church in Mendon 
in 1667. Next came the church in Brookficld in 1717. There was no other 
church in the county till 1719, when the Old South Church in Worcester was 
formed. 

The pastorate so amicably I)cgun was too peaceful to leave much record, 
for so it is, that fifty years of union and prosperity does not make such a figure in 
church history, as a single year of division caused l)y one or more quarrelsome 
members. In the case of Mr. Cheney there is no recorded or traditional 
intimation of any disagreement between him and his people till the year 1740 ; 
and this did not unsettle him, for by his prudence the la<t 3'ears of his ministry 
were the most prosperous. The occasion biings before us a scene of wonderful 
interest and excitement in those old daj's. Whitefield was on his way from 
Boston to Northampton, preaching from town "to town, wherever he received 
a welcome, and his time allowed. Would he be welcome in Brookficld, was 
the question. The i)eo[)le had heard of his almost su[)crhnman eloquence, aud 
were eager to feel its spell. The minister had heard of Whitefield, and had 
some fears that his presence would do more harm tlian good. lie hesitated 
about opening the pulpit to the itinerant evangelist till he knew more of the 
eflfects of his preaching in other places. But the urgency of the people was 
so pressing that Mr. Cheney yielded. By this time, however, a throng had 
gathered which no meeting-house could hold, aud the services took place in 
the open air, ou Foster's Hill, a little north-cast of the old Foster mansion, 
and on the north side of the road. The day was prol^ably on Thursday, the 
16lh of October, 1740. In the life of Whitefield, l)y Dr. Joseph Belcher, 
we learn that he preached at Worcester, on Wednesday, the 14th, iu the 
"open air to some thousands." The sermon "carried all before it." Gov. 
Bckher, who was present, said to Whitefield, "I pray God I may apply 
what his been said to my own heart. Pray, Mr. Wiiitclield, that I may 
hunger aud thirst after righteousness." Passing from Worcester he preached 
at Leicester, Brookficld and Cold Spring on his way to Iladley, where he 
arrived on Friday. This makes it almost certain that he was in Brookficld 
on Thursday. The sacred orator stood upon a great rock, where thousands 
from all the region gathered around him. This great rock still remains. It is 
of rough gneiss, and is some twelve to fifteen feet iu diameter, at u guess, aud 
it slopes upward from the ground to a height of eight or ten feet. At the 
highest point of one corner is a natural platform, two or three feet iu diameter, 
ou which a man can easily stand. The view from this spot is magnificent, but 
all the beauty of the scenery on every side, both far and near, could not com- 
pare with the mornl sublimity of the scene within the reach of the preacher's 



PRIMITIVE PAY. 335 



voice. Among the hearers, probably, was Brig. Gen. Joseph Dwight, then a 
losident of the town, and afterwards distinguished in civil and miiitiuy life. 
.\nd there was a young girl in the throng, who lived till the time of Kev. Dr. 
Phelps, eighty years or more, and who remembered the words: — "Some of 
you came to hear what the babbler would say." The effect was remarkable 
and permanent, for we read that a "great reviving of religion ensued, in which 
Mr. Cheney heartily hvbored, and by which the religious character of the town 
was memorably strengthened." A large number were added to the church, 
one of whom remained to the year 1819, and died at the age of one hundred 
years and seven months. 

The death of Mr. Cheney occurred on the 11th of December, 1747. He was 
graduated at Harvard College in 1711, six years before his ordination in 
Brookficld. His name comes down to us as that of a good man, an acceptable 
preacher, and a faithful pastor. His decease was soon followed by great 
changes in the ecclesiastical affairs of the town. 

His successor was the Rev. Elisha Harding, a graduate of Harvard in 1745. 
He was ordained Sept. 13, 1749, but the town and church was in turmoil 
about a matter which seriously affected him, though he was without blame. 
The year after the death of iNlr. Cheney, the inhabitants of the north-east part 
of the township formed a plan for a new precinct. Weary of going so far to 
meeting, and the town being without a minister, it seemed to them a good time 
to set up by themselves. They petitioned accordingly, but were put off, while 
the town and church proceeded to choose a new minister. In this they con- 
curred, but, soon after the settlement of Mr. Harding, they renewed their 
attempt, and were successful. Their history will occupy a separate page. 

Meantime, we will follow the fortunes of Mr. Harding and the remainder of 
the town. The town, in concurring with the church in the settlement of Mr. 
Harding, voted, "after considerable Debat," for his encouragement to settle 
with them as their minister, the sum of "one thousand pounds old tenor cur- 
rancy, and for his yearly Sallry and Support, the Sum of five hundred pounds 
old tenor." But, as the old currency was depreciated and fluctuating, the 
value of the settlement and salary was fixed by this ariangement : "Accouuling 
it as though it be in Indian corn at 20 sh. per bushel. Rye 30 sh. Wheat, 
40 sh. per bushel and so the £500 to be increased or diminished yearly as the 
prices of the grains varied." This would yield for settlement one thousand 
bushels of corn, or five hundred bushels of wheat, or six hundred and sixty- 
seven bushels of rye. For yearly salary, it would yield half that amount. 
Five hundred bushels of corn would keep a family alive, and so would two 
hundred and fifty bushels of wheat. With the help of the settlement, and 
perhaps the use of the ministerial lands, the parson and his family would not 
starve. Besides, ho was allowed to cut his firewood on the common land, 
"sd Mr. Harding not to mak wast of sd wood, especially of the young wood." 
Though well settled, the pastorate of Mr. Harding was short and troubled. 



336 TOWN OF BEOOKFIELD. 



About three mouths after his ordinatiou, the men of the north, to the number 
of fifty, pressed their request for an independent parish. This was granted, 
and they immediately went to worii making preparation for erecting a house 
of worship. In March, 1750, the parish was incorporated ; in April, their 
meeting-house was raised ; and in May, 1752, their church was organized as 
the " Second Church of Christ in Brookfield." 

Then arose a dispute in relation to the site of a new meeting-house for the 
old town. It was necessary to have a new house, and in 1753 the question 
demanded action. But where to set it was the occasion of dividing the parish. 
The people of present Brookfield were not willing to ascend ihe hill any longer ; 
much less would they go over or by it into West Brookfield. The people of 
the west were willing still to worship on the hill, but preferred to place the 
house on the west of the hill ; that is, in the village of West Brookfield. Each 
section called separate meetings, and by degrees became Accustomed to act 
separately. The dispute became so warm that a division was the only solution 
of the trouble. To settle the question, the people of the south took the matter 
into their own hands, and, in "an incredibly short time, set up the frame of a 
meeting-house on Mr. Bannister's lot," where the churches now stand in the 
villaffcof Brookfield. But their hot haste soon received a check. The Gen- 
eral Court, moved thereto l)y a petition of the West Parish, or rather the old 
town, for as yet there was no legal division, sent up a committee to look into 
the situation and report. After a patient examination, they advised a separa- 
tion, and the formation of a third parish. The report was accepted Nov. 8, 
1754; but the people of the south, having carried their point, built the house 
at their convenience, yet it was not till April 15, 1756, that a church was 
organized. Twenty-five males and fourteen females made up its number. 
Rev. Nathan Fiske, A. M., was ordained as their pastor on the 24th of May, 
1758. Here we must leave the history of the first parish for the present, 
while we proceed with the history of the third parish, which l)ccamc identified 
with that part of the town now l)caring the name of Brookfield. 

Mr. Fiske remained the minister of the thiid church forty-one years and 
eight months exactly, and died altme on the night of the Sabbath, Nov. 24, 
1799. Says Rev. Ephraim Ward in a funeral sermon: "At night ho retired, 
apparently in good health, and in his sleep his spirit departed to its eternal 
home." lie was a superior man, both by native talent and education. A 
"raduate of Harvard, he was honored with the degree of doctor of divinity in 
1792 by his alma maltr. Literary tastes and habits, and facility in writing, 
made him an author of several publications, including sermons and a series of 
e8s.ays in the stylo of the " Spectator," which he had read in the "Minerva 
Society," a club which had some local fame in its day. Altogether, he was a 
fine specimen of the faithful, laborious and scholarly country minister. In 
the Revolution, he was true as steel in his allegiance to the cause of his coun- 
try. The historical sermon which he preached " On the Last Day of the Year, 



THE REVOLUTIOxN. 337 



1775," places bim next to the head of the long list of local historians, the 
Centennial discourse of Rev. Timothy Harrington of Lancaster having been 
delivered in 1753. 



CHAPTER II. 

DATS OF THE REVOLUTION — ENERGETIC ENLISTMENT — INSURRECTION OF SHAYS 

THE SPOONER CASE OLD-TIME SCENES AND OCCURRENCES INDUSTRIES 

OF THE PRESENT TOWN RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS BROOKFIELD IN THE 

REBELLION — PROMINENT CITIZENS. 

Resuming the annals of the town of Brookfield, we have reached the 
era of the Revolution. The town of Boston was a closed port. The 
British ministry determined to ruin the business if it could not break the 
spirit of its inhabitants. Brookfield sympathized with Boston. A meeting 
was held May 17, 1773, over which Jedediah Foster presided. A com- 
mittee was chosen to send a letter of thanks to the town of Boston. The 
letter, which is attributed to Foster, is a true index of the spirit which 
animated the people of Brookfield. Here is a specimen sentence ; "This town 
will ever be ready to assert, and in every legal and proper way maintain those 
RiglUs and Liberties for our children, which were wilh so much labor, blood 
and treasure, purchased by our ancestors whose memory is and ought to be 
esteemed by us." In December of the same year, a town meeting was held to 
consider the subject of the "importation of tea," and other matters, when a 
committee was chosen, of which Mr. Foster was chairman, to express the sen- 
timents of the town. Tiiere is a homely but sublime vigor to their speech: 
"We think it our indispensable duty in the most public manner, to let the 
world know our utter abhorrence of the last and most detestable scheme in the 
introduction of tea from Great Britain, to be peddled out among us, by which 
means we were to be made to swallow a poison more fatal in its etfects to the 
natural and political rights and privileges of the people of this country than 
ratsbane would be to the natural body." 

A very full meeting was held, June 21, 1774, and three citizens were deputed 
to invite the Rev. Mr. Ward to open the meeting with prayer, and the " request 
was complied with in a very soUom manner." The meeting was called for 
signing a covenant about trading with unpatriotic men, and to "take care that 
pedlars do not sell any goods in this town." This referred to the goods which 
the British government was determined to force upon the people for the sake 
of the stamp tax. The action taken in a meeting held May 22, 1776, some 
weeks before the Declaration of Independence was made at Philadelphia, spoke 
the voice and heart of Brookfield. "The question was asked in the words of 



338 TOWN OF BROOKFIELD. 

a resolve of Iho General Court, whether this town would support the Hou'ble 
Congress in Iho niesKure, if they, for our liberty, should see fit to dechire the 
colonies Independent of Great Britain, and it passed in the affirmative almost 
unanimously." Near the close of the same year a i)ounty of £G0 was levied 
for "one hundred fire-arms, with a bayonet affixed thereto, provided they are 
wholly manufactured in this town within one year." 

In 1778, the town voted to "accept the Confederacy of the Continental Con- 
gress, and to enjoin it on their representatives that they consent to the same." 
The next year Ihe town voted in favor of a State Convention for the "sole 
purpose of formins; a new Constitution." An effort had been made to form a 
Constitution by the Legislature, but the people rejected it. Judge Foster was 
a member of the Convention, and had great influence, but his death took place 
before the work was done. His son, Dwight Foster, was sent to the Conven- 
tion to finish out the term of his deceased father. 

Brookfield raised her quota of soldiers to fight the battle of freedom. There 
is no room to recite their names or deeds. One family may represent all. 
This was the famih'of Waitc, several brothers of which were in the old French 
and Indian war, and some of them in the Revolution. Not less than five broth- 
ers were among the bravest of the Ijrave. Before the Revolution some of these 
had removed to other places, but wherever they were, either as "rangers" or 
private soldiers, or officers, the}' gave themselves, "heart and soul," to their 
country. The town, in 1781, was divided into three precincts, in order the 
more readily to "raise soldiers for three years, or during the war, and com- 
mittees were chosen to enlist men and "hire such sum or sums of money" as 
might be needed. In the library of the Congregational church of North 
Brookfield is a framed roll of the men belonging to the company of Capt. 
Ebcnezer Newell, dated in 1777. The number of names is seventy-six. Prob- 
ably the larger part of them belonged to that precinct. Doubtless the other 
precincts were equally patriotic, and raised men according to their population. 
It can be said of all Brookfield, as of other patriotic towns, that in the course of 
the war, nearly or quite every able-bodied man was in the field a portion of the 
time. The drain on our resources and our men in subduing the late rebellion, 
great as it was, is not to be compiired with (hat upon our fathers in the war of 
Independence. As the town, in 1776, was "almost unanimous" in the vote 
for declaring a separation from the mother country, so it remained during all 
the hardships of the contest. The exceptions were few. The Rev. Mr. 
Forbes, minister of the second parish, or North Brookfield, was, doubtless, 
loyal to his country, bnt had a lingering attachment to the old order of things. 
Though acquitted of the charge of Toryism, he found it convenient to withdraw 
from his parish ; but he did not join the enemies of his country. He was 
afterwards settled in Gloucester, where he died in the pastoral office. The 
other prominent man who did not sympathize with his townsmen, was Joshna 
UphaiTi, Esq. He was a graduate of Harvard, and a successful lawyer. As 



THE SPOONER MURDER. 339 

the war of tlio Revolution became a fixed fact, he withdrew to Boston. Later 
he was aid-de-camp to Sir Guy Carlcton, in New York. Thence ho went to 
New IJriMiswick, where he became .1 judge in the highest court. The other 
clergymen of tlie town, and the vicinity, except the Rev. Mr. Pope of Spencer, 
were ardent patriots. And this was emi)liatically true of nearly the whole 
body of Congregational ministers in the Province, and throughout New Eng- 
land. Probably there was not a single Baptist minister that was even suspected 
of Toryism. Among the few Episcopal ministers there was a stronger leaven 
of loyalty to the king. 

Tiie independence of the united Colonics having been secured, there was 
immediately a felt necessity for their firm union. As early as 1784, one year 
after the ratification of peace, the town instructed its representative in the 
General Court in the words following : " It is the opinion of this town that the 
articles of Confederation and perpetual union between the thirteen United States 
being ratified and established by each State in the Union, are solemnly binding 
on the several States, and tiiat no attempt ought to be made to dissolve or 
weaken the same ; but on the other hand, if we mean to support our dignity 
as a nation, every efi'ort ought to be used to strengthen the Union and render 
the Bonds indissoluble." 

When the Shays Rebellion was in its earlier stage, there was a certain 
amount of sympathy with it among some of the people of this town. It is 
said that when the leaders proceeded to actual hostilities, a portion of them 
were "found in the ranks of the insurgents," yet the government must have 
been supported by a large majority of the inhal)itants, as appears from the fol- 
lowing facts : — When the rebels stopped the court at Worcester, a company 
was sent from Brookfield to protect the court. This company was then ordered 
to Springfield, where others from the town joined them. A company of 
"Infantry from the South Parish, a part of Col. Craft's regiment of Cavalry, 
and a company of volunteers from the town at large, under the command of 
Col. Jcduthun Baldwin-as captain, and Col. Banister and Maj. Goodale, as 
lieulcnants," rendered very efficient service. It is recorded that Capt. Shays 
himself had in earlier years been a hired man of Daniel Gilbert, Esq., in the 
North Parish. 

On the first of March, 1778, a most atrocious murder was committed in this 
town. An account of it, and the trial and execution of the murderers, is given 
in the history of the county. The victim was Mr. Joshua Spooner, a man of 
property, and of respectable standing in the community. It is only needed to 
state here that the scene of the tragedy was about a third of a mile from the 
east house in the village of Brookfield, on the road towards Spencer. This is 
the "old great road from Springfield to Boston." The Spooner house was on 
a level with the village, and looked down on the deep valley at the south-west. 
It stood near the road, on the north-west side, with a yard in front. It was 
taken down two or three years since, but the cellar walls are standing. The 



340 TOWN OF BROOKFIELD. 

barn remains, and is now used as a slanglitcr-house. A rod or two from the 
fence which separate the house-lot from the road, is the well into which the 
bruised but quivering body of the victim was thrown head foremost. The 
depth is not great to the surface of the water, and its diameter is small, appar- 
ently not more than two and a half feet. It is uncovered, and without a curb, 
and the top stones are just even with the ground. To a stranger the place 
would present nothing worthy of notice, but to one familiar with the details of 
the awful tragedy enacted here a hundred years ago, it seems as if a curse 
rested on the spot, which no lapse of time could cfl'ace. 

The subsequent history of the town is a history of peaceful prosperity down 
to the time of the great Rebellion in 1861-65, and in this there was a general 
unison and sentiment of action in maintaining the integrity of the Union, and 
in the abolition of slavery. A few events between the Revolution and the 
rebels' war will be noted in the order of time. The north part of the town, 
which became a parish in 1748, was incorporated as a town in 1812, by an act 
■which was dated February 27. From this time its history becomes distinct 
from the old town of lirooldicld, which included what is now West Brookfield, 
Brookfield and East Brookfield villages, with the surrounding country. 

At this time Brookfield was one of the most important towns in the county, 
as it had been from its origin. Previous to 1812 it was one of the largest, 
most populous and wealthy, and j^fter the separation of North Brookfield it 
maintained its rank for several decades, until the sudden start and rapid 
growth of Worcester, Fitchburg, Miiford and other centres of business changed 
the relative standing of the towns in the county. The village of Brookfield 
was the residence, in successive generations, of men of intelligence and force 
of character, who made it a centre of i)olitical infiuenco in their day. In the 
early part of this century Maj. Reed, Dr. Rice, Judge Merrick, Sr., and 
their associates, were men of tlic stamp which give a reputation to the place 
in which the\' reside. 

At this period the old Brookfield tavern seems to have acquired the reputation 
which in the preceding century belonged to the old "Waite Tavern," on 
Mectiug-house Hill, in West Brookfield. It was kept by Simeon Draper, Sr., 
and father (;f Simeon Draper, Jr. , w ell known as the collector of the port of New 
York, and as a loading politician in that city twenty or thirty years since. 
Drai)er's Hotel was the stopping-place of all travelers between the east and west. 
Distinguished men, in making their progress through the country, stopped here 
to dine or remain over night. It was the half-way house of the judges of the 
Supreme Court in passing between Worcester and Springfield. Their presence 
over night drew the leading men of the town to the tavern, where the local 
celebrities mingled in social intercourse with the most able and learned lawyers 
of the State. 

During the war with fircat Britain, 1812-15, the village was sometimes the 
scene of a singular display for an inland town. It became necessary, at times. 



LOCAL EDUCATION. 341 



for tho jrovcrnment to transport sailors and marines from Boston to the lakes, 
or from tlie lakes to the seahoard, and as Crookficid was in tho route, it was 
one of the phiccs for rest and refreshment. The l)iistle and excitement caused 
by the arrival of such a novel company may bo imagined. Tliey had to be fed, 
and in those times "grog' was a part of the sailors' rations. As a matter of 
course those were lively times, and llie poo[)io iVoni the whole town and 
vicinity came to see the sight and enjoy the excitenitnt. As there were not 
stao'es or other proper conveyances enough to convey smh a number of pas- 
seno^ers, the ofHcers hired the farmers, from town to town, to liring out all their 
two-horse wagons and take the compan}' along to the next place. It is related 
that when the stages came to the western foot of the Spencer Hills, and it was 
convenient to have the sailors get out and walk up the steep ascent, the ofEcer 
in charge would induce one of the load to alight liy the oflcrof a flask of liquor. 
The rest of the company were quickly on the ground, when the driver would 
" whip up," and uot stop till the hill-top was sained, whore the horses would 
take breath while the "jolly tars" were ascendiug. 

In the war of LS12 Brookfield sympathized with the mnjurity of the State, 
and sustained the administration of Gov. Caleb Strong. Federal politics ruled 
in the time of Washington and Adams. The Republican or Whig party, which 
supported John Quiney Adams and Gen. Harrison, and was led by Daniel 
Webster and Henry Clay, was generally in the ascendant. When the modern 
Republican or Anti-Slavery Party arose in 1856, and through its history to the 
present time, this town has stood firmly by the cause of union and freedom. 

In the year 1848 the town was again divided, and the oldest and most 
historical part took the name of West Brookfield. The people of the new 
town were so anxious for separate municipal powers and honors that they 
allowed the eastern section to name the terms of division. One was that the 
south parish should take the name of Brookfiekl, which act has forevcrmore 
confused the history of the whole town. From this date, 1848, let the reader 
remember, all that relates to the history of Brookfield, is confined to the east 
and south sections of the old town. 

But, going back a generation or two, it is necessary to refer to the schools 
of the town, and to its business in former times, as well as to its ecclesiastical 
annals. 

It must be taken for granted that the children of Brookfield have been 
supplied with the means of education from the beginning. A vote of the town 
when hai-dly out of its infancy has been cited. In the time of the Revolution, 
when all the resources of the people were put in requisition to sustain the cause 
of freedom, there was a vote one year, and possibly more than one, "not to 
raise money for schooling," but this implies that the vote was an exception to 
the general rule. The records bear an unbroken testimony to the care of the 
town for the schooling of the children. Tho historians of the town testify to 
the S'lrae fact. The iutelligcnce of the people, in all generations, is proof, if 



342 TOWN OF BROOKFIELD. 



any were needed. It will be sufficient, under this head, to give the statistics 
of education at the present time. 

In 1875 Brookfield had u population of 2,CG0, and in 1877 a valuation of 
$1,244,769. It had 45;t children between live and fifteen years of age, 
divided into fourteen schools, including a high school. The number of different 
scholars in the schools, in 1877-8, was five hundred and forty. The amount 
raised by taxation for the support of schools was $4,050, besides cost of super- 
intendence, printing, &c. In the sum raised for each scholar, this town ranks 
as twenty-one in the fifty-eight towns of the county. The cost for each scholar 
was $10.59. In the percentage of taxable property appropriated to education, 
and in the percentage of attendance, the town ranks above the average. The 
high school has about forty scholars, and is kept between nine and ten months 
yearly. 

The first thing to be done in a settlement is to make a place to live. Felling 
trees, building a log-house, and planting corn, potatoes and kitchen vege- 
tables make up the business of the pioneer. And this, with a little amplifica- 
tion, is the work of the first generation. Farming is the chief employment, 
with enough of mechanical labor to keep society together. All manufactures, 
except the products of the saw and grist mill, are domestic. The good lands of 
Brookfield rewarded the farmers in early times, and now give them a fair return 
for their labor. The hons;-s and barns indicate thrift. In the two villages, 
Brookfield and East Brookfield, are some elegant, and many neat aud comfort- 
able dwellings. Besides farmmg and milk-raising, the people arc busy in 
making boots aud shoes, and in the manufacture of carriages, bricks and iron- 
ware. There are in town one or more steam-mills, three saw and two grist 
mills and a cotton-mill, which in good times give employment to many persons. 
At present the boot and shoe business is dull, nearly all of the half dozen 
shops being closed, or doing very little work. 

The number of houses in the town by recent einnnoration, was four hundred and 
forty. The numl)cr of farms was one hundred aud sixty-eight. The number 
of houses and out-buildings belonging to farms, was four hundred and seventy- 
four. The number of acres was twelve thousand seven hundred and sixty- 
seven, valued at $.]24,476. Only twenty acres were unimprovaljle according 
to the census, but not a third of the land is improved. Domestic animals are 
valued at $G4,33G. The statistics of manufactures in 1875 give the following 
summary: — Number of establishments of all sorts, fort^'-four ; persons em- 
ployed, five hundred and sixty-six; capital invested, $148,350; yearly 
wages (estimated), $25."}, 138 ; stock used in manufactures, $449,750; value 
of goods made and work done, $818,237. There is some steam-power used 
in the mills, and the water-power is considerable. The three ponds. South, 
Podunk and Smith's, are connected by nature, and in one place, by a canal, 
the connection is improved. A small steaml)oat, in recent years, ran from 
South Pond, through Podunk Pond and the river to a mill near the railway 



LATER CHURCHES. 343 



station. The bout was used for the transportation of lumber, brick and otlier 
freight. At this point were the steam-works of C. O. Burton and George L. 
Twitchell. Here were a lumber and grist mill, and a box-factory, wiiich made 
the locality a busy place. The facilities for business remain, and the return 
of better times will probably be felt here as well as elsewhere. 

It may interest some to note the origin of several of the large boot and shoe 
factories. The first was started, in 1828, by Kimball & Robinson. Emmons 
Twitchell and Henry D. Tales became connected with them in later years. In 
1842, the establishment of Emmons Twitchell was setin operation. CharlesFales 
began the busiuess of his large factory about the year 1848. The next in 
order, the exact date not known, was the establishment of James S. Montague. 
In 187U, the firm of Johnson, Davis & Forbes engaged in the business. They 
were burned out in 1878. The above are the principal business establishments 
which have given life to the village for the last half century. Their stoppage 
has caused the removal of many workmen, and brought a temporary quiet to 
the great shops and the streets. The general revival of busiuess iu the coun- 
try, as well as local instinct of self-preservation, will probably lead ere long 
to renewed activity in the great buildings where so much capital is planted. 

In East Brookficid is a foundry where considerable work has been done iu 
iron castings. Formerly there was a furnace in this village, and the smelting 
of iron-ore was quite a business. The ore from Wickaboag Pond and other 
places was brought hither, and worked into useful articles and implements. The 
furnace fires went out many years ago, and the oi'e of the region, what there 
was of it, was taken to Suffield. But other kinds of business give life to the 
east village. 

Near the east village is a bed of clay of superior quality, and at one time 
pottery was manufixctured iu considerable quantities, but the business was 
given up many years ago, whether from want of capital or custom is not 
known. Recently new parties have come iuto possession of the property, and 
established works which promise to be successful. 

The main village is Brookfield, where there are four or five churches, viz.. 
Congregational, Baptist, Methodist, Unitarian and Roman Catholic. There 
are two hotels ; a town hall, built of brick, costing $70,000; a free library 
called the Merrick Library ; and a good high school. 

As already stated, the Third Congregational Church was organized in 
1754, and a meeting-house was soon built near the spot now occupied l)y the 
Unitarian church. The first minister was the Rev. Nathan Fiske, D. D., who 
was ordained May 24, 1758. After a useful and honored ministry of nearly 
forty-two years, he died Nov. 24, 1799. His successor was the Rev. Micah 
Stone, who was ordained March 11, 1801. He owned and occupied the house 
built by Mr. Fiske, a little west of the village, on the old road. This house 
he bequeathed to his church. His civil contract with the society was termi- 
nated iu 1827, but he remained the pastor of the church. As the parish had 



344 TOWN OF BEOOKFIELD. 

become Unitarian in sentiment, a new parish was ftjrmcd under the title of The 
Evangelical Society of Brooktield. Only two male members of the church 
adhered to the old parish, yet they, with a few females, were decided by Chief 
Justice Shaw, in a famous case, to be the church. Rev. Richard Woodruff was 
ordained colleague pastor with Mr. Stone Feb. 5, 1x38, and at his own request 
was dismissed Sept. 12, 1838. On the same day, Rpv. Washington A. Nichols 
was ordained as colleague of Mr. Stone, and continueil tillJan. 11, 1843, when 
ill-health led to his dismission. The aged clergyman's third colleague was 
Rev. Lyman Whiting (since D. D.), who was ordained on the day of Mr. 
Nichols's dismission. His pastorate lasted four years. Rev. Mr. Stone was 
gathered to his fathers full of years and honors, in September, 1852. The 
successors of Mr. Whiting have been Rev. Jesse R. Bragg, eight years; 
Rev. Josiah Coit, seven years; Rev. Joel M. Seymour, three years, from 
1873 to 1876. The present acting pastor is Rev. Charles E. Stebbins. Since 
1870, the following have been the acting pastors, for a brief season : viz., Rev. 
Charles P. Blaiuhard. Rev. A. F. Schaufflcr and Rev. Charles F. Morse. The 
lumiber of communicants in the church is one hundred and forty-eight. 
They have a good house of worship, and abundant means for sustaining all 
the- means of grace. 

The ministers of the (legally) First or Unitarian Society and Church, since 
the departure of Rev. Mr. Stone, have been the following: — Rev. George R. 
Noyes, settled Oct. 30, 1827. He left after a mini>try of about six years, and 
became a professor in the Divinity School connected with Il.irvard College. 
He was a man of varied learning, but specially familiar with the Hebrew 
language and literature. Rev. Seth Alden remained about ten years. The 
Rev. William B. Greene was settled Nov. 8, 1845, and remained four or five 
years. He was a graduate of West Point, but his knowledge extended far 
l)eyond the curriculum of that school. In 1853 he represented the town in the 
Constitutional Convention. In the war of the Rebellion he l)ecame the colonel 
of a regiment, and did good service. The Rev. S. S. Hunting was settled on 
the 5th of October, 1852, and was succeeded by Rev. R. D. Burr, Nov. 18, 
1858. Rev. Edward Galvin was settled April 15, 1803. The present pastor. 
Rev. A. Jndson Rich, was installed on the 31st of October, 1870. The church 
edifice is capacious and elegant. 

As early as the year 1748 the Baptists began to hold meetings in the eastern 
l)art of the town, and during forty years occasional services were held by 
traveling ministers. In 1788 Rev. Jeremiah Haskell was engaged, and 
continued his services several years. A meeting-house was built in 1795, and 
a society was incorporated in 1800, but no church appears to have been 
formed. Successive ministers were Nathaniel Price, Labau Thurl)er and John 
Chase. The number of communicants in the vicinity became reduced to four 
in 1815. Under the labors of Mr. Chase a revival was enjoyed, but the 
converts joined the Baptist church in Sturbridge. In 1818, the number of 



THE REBELLION. 345 



Baptist members in the neighborhood being thirty-seven, they were organized 
into a church on the lOtli of June, when Mr. Chase was ordained their pastor. 
In the following winter, as the fruit of special religious interest, many were 
received into the church. Mr. Chase died July 28, 1833. Ilis successors 
from that time till 1841 were Rev. Messrs. Benjamin B. Manning, Winthrop 
Morse, J. IL Rickctt and Job Boomer. There have been several pastors in 
the intervening years, whose names cannot be recalled. The Rev. Andrew 
Dunn is the present minister in charge. The membership is seventy-six. 
The Methodist church is in the village of Brookficld. It was formed early in 
the century, and now has a considerable membership. The present minister in 
charge is Rev. Mr. Cushing. The foreign clement soon felt the need of 
religious privileges, and after they had come in sufficient numbers to form a 
tolerable congregation, a Catholic church was planted in the centre of the town. 

When the flag floating over Fort Sumter was fired upon by rebels, there was 
a thrill of indignation throughout the country, and when the fort was surren- 
dered the whole loyal population was aroused to arms. The people of Brook- 
ficld showed their sympathy by immediately raising and equipping men for 
the field. In an extended history of the town all the details will ])e in place, 
and will form a chapter which will be read with deep interest by coming 
generations. In this place there is room for only the briefest summary of 
facts. 

The selectmen during the war, some in one year and some in another, were : 
Dwight Hyde, Henry L. Mellen, Calvin Hobbs, J. M. Gibson, Leonard 
Warren, J. N. Vaughan, A. H. Moulton, William D. MuUett, P. W. Hawes, 
E. K. Pellet, J. H. Rogers and J. Ilamant. The treasurer was Alonzo 
Uphtim. These names arc given because, of necessity, they had much to do in 
raising money and men. 

The first legal meeting in relation to the war was held April 30, 1861, when 
it was voted that every volunteer should receive a dollar for every day occu- 
pied in drilling; also, that every man who enlisted should receive from the 
town enough to make his pay fifteen dollars a month, and those who had 
families dependent upon them wore to have eight dollars a month in addition. 
It was also voted that each Brookficld member of a company being raised 
"should be furnished with a plain and substantial uniform, army blankets and 
a revolver at the expense of the town." The committee to carry this into 
effect were E. Twitchell, J. S. Montague and Charles Fales. 

In 1SG2, July 2, ft was voted to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to 
each of twenty-four volunteers for three years' service, to fill the quota of the 
town, under the call of the President for three hundred thousand men. And, 
on the 23d of August, a bounty of one hundred and fifty (U)llars was offered to 
each volunteer enlisting for nine months' service. It is recorded that other 
meetings were held, as occasion demanded, "at which distinguished speakers 
from other places were present, and addressed the people, and contributions of 



346 TOWN OF BR00KK1E1.D. 

generous sums were made by individuals." The town furnished two hundred 
aud forty-tivo men for the war, which was a surplus of twciity-ono over and 
above all demands. Seven were commissioned officers. Biooktield men were 
in the fifteenth regiment, the first that went into the war from the county, and 
in many other regiments, all through the contest. The Avhole amount of 
money expended hy the town on account of the war was $15,708.72. The 
total of State aid was $14,160.19. Besides this amount, large sums were 
given by individuals, by public contributions, and by the ladies in money and 
stores. 

The following are the names of some of tlu^ prominent men of Brookfield in 
former days : — Hon. Pliny Merrick, Sr., a graduate of Harvard, a justice of 
the Court of General Sessions of the Peace, and a member of the State Senate. 
He died in 1814. Hon. Oliver Crosby, who, by his own ellbrts, acquired a 
discipline of mind and command of knowledge which litted him for important 
stations. He was a judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and in 1808 was a 
senator from Worcester County. Hon. Pliny Merrick, Jr., who afterwards 
settled in Worcester, became a leading lawyer, and was raised to the honora- 
ble position of judge. For some years, he was very prominent in political 
circles. 

The Merrick Lil)rary was started in 18G0 i)y the action of the Rev. Joshua 
Coit, the Hon. George W. Johnson and Mr. William I). Lewis. They raised 
by subscription between si.x and seven hundred dollars. This was pledged by 
residents of the town, and natives or others interested in the place who then 
lived in Boston. Among these were Mr. Jabez C. Howe aud Mr. George 
Howe. 

The Hon. Pliny Merrick, Jr., a native of Brookfield, whose home was 
Worcester, and who was then a justice of the Supreme Judicial (^ourt, gave a 
hundred dollars. By this means he became more interested in the enterprise, 
and left it a legacy of ten thousand dollars and a portion of his library ; hence 
the name of Merrick Library. There are now over five thousand volumes in 
the e.Kcellent collection, and the annual income is about seven hundred dollars. 
During the closing years of his life. Judge Merrick resided in Boston. 

The cemetery, located at a convenieiit distance west of the village, is a 
beautiful plot of ground, and all the immediate surroundings arc indicative of 
good taste. The massive and elegant gateway is built of pranite, and was the 
gift of Mr. William Bannister, now of New York, and Mv. Otis Ilaydcn of 
Brookfield. 

The lawyers of Brookfield have been, since the times of the Merricks, father 
and son, Heman Stebbins, Esq., and the Hon. George W. Johnson, State 
senator in 18(56. 

The following physicians, besides others whose residence was comparatively 
brief, have been practitioners in the town; viz.. Dr. Greene, Dr. Henry Gil- 
man, who practiced here nearly forty years, Dr. Spooncr, Dr. Jesse Penni- 



A NEAV PARISH. 347 



man, Dr. II. T. Bates, Dr. J. T. Rood ami Dr. II. P. Bates. The present 
pliysifians are : Drs. W. C. Haven, W. F. Hull, D. W. Hotlgkins and Ransom 
Slicpard. 

There are two hotels in Brookfield village, a post of the Grand Army of the 
Republic, and a Masonic lodge. The town maintains a good high school. The 
distance of the village from Worcester Court House, by direct line, is seven- 
teen and two-tiflhs miles. The latitude is 42° 13'. The Boston and Albany 
Railroad has a station near the centre of the town. 



NOETH BROOKFIELD. 

PECULIARITIES OF TOWN ORIGIN EARLY CONDITION — FRENCH AND INDIAN 

WAR SUBSEQUENT MILITARY OPERATIONS SHOE MANUFACTURE NEW 

MEETING - HOUSE OLDER AND NEWER DENOMINATIONS EDUCATIONAL 

AFFAIRS ACTION IN THE CIVIL WAR PUBLIC MEN NEW RAILROAD, 

As North Brookfield had its origin, as a distinct part of the town, in a relig- 
ious movement, its early religious history must have the first place in this 
sketch. As already stated, the people living in the north part of the original 
town of Brookfield, in the year 1748, obtained permission to become a distinct 
society. At first the town denied the request, but at the same meeting, held 
Nov. 28, 1748, after all had concurred in the choice of Mr. Harding as the 
minister of the whole town, the petition was granted on conditions. The con- 
ditions were complied with, and the people proceeded without delay to build a 
meeting-house. The frame was raised on the 5ih of April, 1749. But a 
division of feeling arose about the location, which prevented the house being 
finished for ten years. However, the parish was incori)orated March 28, 1750, 
aud a church was organized on the 28th of May, 1752. Mr. Eli Forbes, 
a graduate of Harvard, was ordained the pastor, June 3, 1753. Dr. Suell says, 
in 1852 : "His dismission took place on the first of March, 1775, the reason 
of which is supposed to have been a lack, on his part, of sympathy with the 
Colonies in their struggle for independence. The people called him a Tory, 
and some of the Whigs stoned his chaise one evening as he was passing the 
street." Reason enough, for Whig or Tory, to wish for a separation ! His 
original name was Forbush, but when he was a chaplain in the last French war, 
Gen. Forbes from England suggested to him that Forbush was a corruption of 
Forbes, and after that he took the latter name. "He was a pleasant, compan- 
ionable man, and in his day a popular pieachcr." 

His successor was the Rev. Joseph Api)leton, a native of Ipswich, and a 
graduate of Brown University, in 1772. His ordination took place in October, 



348 TOWN OF NORTH BROOKFIELD. 



1776. "In his intercourse with his people," says Rev. Mr. Foot, he was 
"kind and affectiona-te, and in his public ministrations serious and ardent." 
After a useful pastorate of twenty-two years, he diet) July 2.5, 1795. The 
ktc Hon. William Appleton of Boston, a distinguished meichant and member 
of Congress, Avas his son, and was a bcnefiictor to his native town, giving in 
the year 1859 to the First Congregational Society the sum of five thousand 
dollars, to establish a pastor's library, — two thousand dollars of which to be 
kept at interest perpetually ; the other three thousand dollars, together with 
the income, to be used as needed for the purchase of books, and payment for 
periodicals and binding. About three thousand dollars have been thus ex- 
pended, and about three thousand five hundred dollars remain on hand. The 
library is one of the finest of its kind in the Commonwealth, comprising over 
four thousand bound volumes, and about two thousand five hundred pamphlets, 
some of them very rare and valuable. The original selection of the books was 
made by Rev. Christopher Cushing, D. D., then colleague of Rev. Dr. Suell. 

For about three years the church was without a pastor, hearing diflcrent 
candidates. After hearing Mr. Thomas Sncll five months, the church invited 
him to settle with them as their pastor, and the parish joined in the call. In 
reference to this, Dr. Sncll put on record the following remark, which is full of 
wisdom : "This church has always conformed to the good usage of our Puri- 
tanical ancestors, in leading the way in extending an invitation to the candi- 
date to become their Pastor, followed by the parish in a concurrent vote to 
receive him as their religious Teacher, and making provision for his support. 
This order should ever be observed, where i)eoplo mean that Christ shall have a 
church in distinction from the world." 

There was one provision in his arrangement with the parish which was so 
uncommon, and had such an cfli'ect that it is worthy of record. The old cus- 
tom was to settle a minister for life, without regard to sickness, old age, or 
disability. Immoral conduct or heresy, however, was a sufficient and legal 
cause for a termination of the p.astoratc. In old records will be found proof 
of an effort to modify this custom by inserting the words, "as long as he 
performs the duties of a pastor," or something to that effect. The meaning 
was that when the minister ceased to perform pastoral duties, his pay should 
cease. But this was not acceded to by the candidates on the ground that if 
they gave their whole lives to their people, the latter .should provide for them 
in old age. The plan adopted in settling Mr. Snell was different, and it is 
said by his colleague, Dr. Cushing, to have been the second case of the kind 
in the Commonwealth, where a provision was made in the terms of settlement 
for a minister's dismission. The first was that of Rev. Mr. Moore of Leices- 
ter. The provision was in these words, "If two-thirds of the legal voters of 
the Congregational Society should at any time be dissatisfied with the said Mr. 
Thomas Snell, with respect to his ministry or otherwise, and should signify 
their disaffection and the reasons of it to him in writing; and if such matters 



BEGINNING OF WAR. 349 



of jrricvaiu-c onnnot be removed, and an amical)le compromise take place within 
the term of one year after such notice be given ; and if at the end of the year, 
two-thirds of said Society at a legal meeting called for that purpose, vote that 
the said Mr. Thomas Snell.be dismissed, he shall consider himself as discharged 
from his ministerial relation to said society ; and from that time shall relin- 
quish any further demand for services performed among them." Also, " The 
said Thomas Snell shall have liberty to leave the Precinct and Society, when 
he shall see tit, by giving one year's notice for a compromise as above." Mr. 
Snell accepted the plan, with the proviso that he should have the "further 
privilege to call a Council in case of dismission, the expense of which to be 
defrayed by the Society, if this be the disaffected party ; but if otherwise, by 
himself." With the feeling that Mr. SucU's settlement would be tolerably 
secure, we will follow the secular fortunes of the precinct and town. 

The population when the precinct was formed was small, and was thinly 
scattered over the whole territory. The meeting-house was about a half-mile 
from the present location. The spot was not central, and furnished no eligible 
places for building. As there was no store except on a small scale, and only 
one mechanic within nearly a mile, a solemn stillness reigned around the house 
of worship. Later this was somewhat broken by the resort of people atHicted 
with every kind of disease to the once famed Dr. Jacob Kittredge, who died 
in 1813. As late as 1798, when Mr. Snell was settled, he describes the 
"scenery as rural beyond almost any other town in the region, and not five, if 
there was one, well-finished and neatly-painted house in town — and but three or 
four dwelling-houses within about half a mile of the place of worship." 

F.arming was the only occupation, and each firm produced food and clothing 
by the labors of the men in the field, and the women in the house, plying the 
needle, the wheel and the loom. And farming at that time was a rough, toil- 
some business, when the land was covered with forest, or brush and briers ; 
when loose stones covered the surface, and when swamps defied cultivation. 
Far different was the scene from that which now greets the eye as it wanders 
over those verdant hill-tops, and through those fruitful valleys which well 
reward the skilful toil of the husbandman. 

Not long after the formation of the precinct and the organization of the 
church, the last French and Indian war began, and, in the course of four 
or five years, drew largely upon the resources of the people. Their hard 
earnings were consumed, and their lives were freely hazarded; but they gave 
property and life with heroic resolution, because they understood the nature of 
the contest. They felt that the question was to be settled whether the English 
or the French were to rule over North America. They saw that the religion of 
Geneva or of Rome, of the Reformation or of the Catholic Church, was to pre- 
vail. All their convictions, feelings and prejudices went with the former, and 
they rejoiced when the battle of Quebec settled the question. 

The number of men who went into the public service in the Revolution from 



350 TOWN OF NORTH BROOKFIELD. 

the second precinct of Brookfiold (now North Brookfield) is known only in 
part ; but, in the archives of the State, the following names are enrolled : — 
JV Capt. Jonathan Barnes marched fov Cambridge on the day of the Lexington 
"alarm," April 10, 1775, or on the next morning. He was attended b}' four- 
teen men under his command. Capt. Peter Ilarwood, with seven men, was in 
the eight months' service in 1775, as appears by a "return" dated October 7 
in that year. In 1777, September 23, Capt. Asa Danforth, with nine men, 
marched to "join the northern army under the command of Gen. Gates." 
They were of the army that conquered Gen. Burgoyne in October of that year. 
Capt. Daniel Gilbert and three men from North Brookfield are on the muster- 
roll of Col. Job Cnshing's regiment for "service done at Bennington," in 
August and Septemlier, 1777. Besides these, it is believed that others were 
in the service, in different regiments, nntil the close of the war. 

In the last war wilh Great Britain (1812-15), the town was represented by 
three men in Foit Independence, then Castle Island, in Boston Harbor, and 
several were drafted into the army of the United States. In September and 
October, 1814, fourteen men were encamped in South Boston. They were of 
the regiment of Col. Salem Town, which had been ordered to Boston for 
defence against an apprehended attack. The names of enlisted men who 
engaged in that "Second war of Indojjcndencc," and who belonged to difl'erent 
regiments, cannot bo fully ascertained. 

The population of all the Brookficlds in 177(5 was 2,G49 ; in 171)0 it was 
3,100 ; and in 1810 it amounted to 3,284. According to Dr. Snell, the popu- 
lation of the North Precinct in 1798, the year of his settlement, was about 
1,100. The town was incorporated in 1812, and the next census gave the 
population, in 1820, at 1,095. The increase during the next ten years was 
146. Previous to about 1825, the population had been nearly stationary for 
about thirty j ears ; but at that time there was a new start in business which 
kept the young men at home, and brought in industrious people from abroad. 
By steady increase, the number of inhabitants rose by 1875 to the figure of 
3,749. 

The manufacture which has contributed almost wholly to the growth of the 
town began about the time when the town was incorporated. This was the 
manufacture of "sale shoes" upon a small scale b}' 'Oliver Ward, who came 
from Grafton. This business increased rapidly, and in the course of fifteen 
years, according to Dr. Snell, "hundreds engaged in it." The consequence 
was that the whole town became thrifty, and the number dependent on the 
public for support was greatly diminished. The new-comers earned a good 
living, and made a market for .all the cultivators of the soil could raise. 
Besides Mr. Ward, the Messrs. Batcheller — Tyler and his brother Ezra — 
engaged in the business, as did also Freeman Walker, who from 1830 to 1834 
was associated with them in business. Hiram Ward, William Johnson and 
Hiram Edson were also entjascd in the same kind of business for a short time 



IXCREASING BUSINESS. 351 

previous to 1838. So fiist hatl this branch of maiuifactiiro increased that in 
1838 shoes were turned ofTaninniiting in value to nearly a half a million of dol- 
lars. Speaking of the lift which was given to the town hy these and other 
enterprising men, Dr. Snell says: "Upon whom and some others, might well 
come the blessing of some for their present competency, who were ready to 
suffer from poverty, if not to perish." 

The change wrought in the town was great and very noticeable to the pass- 
ing traveler. One who went through the town about the year 1820, and had 
been acquainted with it during a period of thirty-five years, remarked "that he 
knew of no place that remained so uniformly the same as North Brookfield. 
Nothing doing, no new buildings going up, the same old dwelling-houses aud 
barns, the farms and fences just so, all the people plodding on after the old 
sort, without much life, or any disposition for improvement — all satisfied 
with present attainments, and living at case." In the year 1838, Dr. Snell, so 
often cited, stated that more than "one hundred houses had been built, and a 
number of others had undergone repairs about equal to building anew," since 
the date of his settlement. Nearly all this advance had been made in about 
twenty years. By 1840, the population had increased to the number of four- 
teen hundred and eighty-five. "Most of these houses," he continues, "are 
large, commodious, and well-finished, seventy of them erected where no house 
before stood, and much the largest half within ten years past." That is, 
between 1828 and 1838. When we remember that in 1798 there "were not 
five, if there was one, well-finished and neatly-painted house in town," the 
change can be in a measure appreciated. 

The increase of business and population was not attended by a loss of moral 
tone and the home virtues. On the contrary, "society was much improved, 
both in point of morals, and social feelings and intercourse, no less than in 
intelligence and religious principle." This result was not secured, however, 
without foresight and effort. The men at the head of business were governed 
by a high purpose to benefit society as well as by the ordinary spirit of per- 
sonal thrift and success. They had the wisdom to sec that tlioir own property 
would rise in value if they were surrounded by temperate, frugal and moral 
men. Therefore, interest and moral principle combined in leading them to 
exert their influence so as to induce the better sort of families to settle in the 
town. It was done " by giving preference to persons of steady and industrious 
habits, and correct principles, and by making sacrifices for the safety of 
public morals." Dea. Tyler Batcheller, the leading manufacturer, acted on 
this principle, and had the concurrence of all the prominent business 
men. In times when business was dull, and there was a necessity for 
dismissing some of the hands, it was easy to discriminate^ between those who 
would add to the number of good permanent residents aud those whose habits 
made them undesirable residents and citizens. This policy also acted as a 
stimulus in favor of good character and conduct. 



352 TOWN OF NORTH BROOKFIELD. 

At length the time came when a new house of worship was needed enough 
to overcome opposition. The question was agitated for several years at times, 
but the piospect of a division in regard to a new location had prevented 
decisive action. But in 1822 it was determined to build, and in 1823 the spa- 
cious church now occupied liy the First Congregational Church and Society was 
erected. "On the first day of January, 1824, it was publicly dedicated to 
God, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost." There was some opposition on 
account of the site selected, but when the house was finished, the builder 
appraised the slips, so as to cover the whole expense, and in the course of a 
few hours nearly' all were sold at auction ; none for less than the appraisal, and 
some for such an advance as to leave a surplus of about seven hundred 
dollars. 

The old house stood several years after the new house was erected, and was 
used as a town house aud for occasional religious meetings, but finally became 
so shattered that it was sold to a private party, and demolished. A small 
meeting-house was built on the spot, and was dedicated to the worship of God, 
the Kcv. Wilbur Fiske, D. D., afterwards president of Wesleyan College at 
Middlctown, Conn., preaching the sermon. The Rev. Mr. Davis was the first 
minister, and the Rev. Mr. Mayo the second. Others followed until the 
year 1837, when the house was closed for awhile. About one hundred 
attended the meetings in the summer. This did not seem to diminish the 
attendance at the First Church. At length the house was sold, but subse- 
quently the Methodists resumed their worship in the town, and now have a 
sanctuary with an active church in the beautiful central village. The Rev. 
J. M. Avanu is the present pastor. 

The ministry of Dr. Sncll had its trials, but was generally peaceful and very 
prosperous. He continued in the pastorate until his death, May 4, 1862, a 
period of about sixty-four years. He had been in the pastoral ofiice nearly 
liftj'-four years before he received a colleague, when the Rev. Christopher 
Cushing was chosen to relieve him from the burden of his labors and responsi- 
bilities. He had a paralytic shock April 15, 1855, after which he wrote only 
one sermon. This was his sixtieth anniversary discourse in 1858, June 27, 
which closed his work as a preacher of the Gospel. Di'. Snell was no common 
man. Making no pretensions to the dialectical acumen and piercing genius 
of Ivlwards, or the oratorical splendor of Dwight, he was none the less a man 
of mark. His strong sense, his strength of purpose, his prudence, his fidelity, 
his earnesi i)iety,and his "spirit of government," combined with other qualities 
of a good minister, ranked him high in the esteem of his people, and the 
respect and confidence of his brethren. As the head of a family, as a citizen, 
as the chairman of the school committee, as the pastor of his church and 
minister of his congregation, as a man and a Christian, he was an example, 
and made a mark which was deeply stamped on the character and the memory 
of the town. 



RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS. 353 

The Rev. Mr. (now Dr.) Gushing continued in the pastoral office here 
several years after the decease of Dr. Sncll. The church, which had experi- 
enced several revivals of religion, and had increased much in number during 
the ministry of Dr. Suell, continued to prosper through the pastorate of Mr. 
Cushin"'. It was in his time that the pastor's library was founded by the munifi- 
cent "ift of Mr. Appleton, before mentioned, and it was also by his sound 
judgment that a good selection of books was made. Hesides other valuable 
works, the library is specially rich in the first quality of periodical literature, 
in good l)inding. The present pastor, Rev. Giibriei II. DeBevoisc, was 
installed in 18G8. The meeting-house was repaired and remodeled, to some 
extent a few years since, and furnishes convenient sittings for a large con- 
gregation. The church numbers three hundred and sixty-one, and the Sabbath 
school four hundred and fifteen. 

The original leading meinl)crs of the Union Congregational Society, with 
few exceptions, came from the First Congregational Society. The causes 
which led to their withdrawal were various ; among them, more liberal opinions 
upon theological matters, and more advanced views upon the subject of anti- 
slaverv, especially in its relations to missionary opei-ations. But the occasion, 
which with some of them was also the immediate cause of withdrawal, was the 
enlargement of the house of worship, which had become necessary to accom- 
modate quite a' large number of members, who were unable to obtain sittings in 
the mccting-house for themselves and their families. The vote to enlarge was 
passed May 23, 1853, and thereupon the separation commenced. On the 
12th of September following, an association for building a meeting-house 
was formed, consisting of those who had withdrawn from the old society, with 
many others. Prominent among the former were Hon. Amasa . Walker, 
lion. Freeman Walker, Charles Duncan, William Duncan, T. M. Duncan, 
S. M. Edmands, Thomas H. Tucker, and others. The new society was 
organized Oct, 29, 1853, with a membership of about one hundred and 
foi^ty. 

In forming the society, a prominent oliject, if not the contndling idea, was 
to furnish pews and sanctuary privileges to a large number of persons in the 
town, who were not, and never had been connected with any religious organi- 
zation. The meeting-house was dedicated to the worship of God Dec. 28, 
1854. The Union Congregational Church was organized by an ecclesiastical 
council, June 6, 1854. Anti-slavery sympathies had an influence in bringing 
together the major portion of the members. The church and society have 
always maintained their organization and services. A movement towards a 
union of the two churches was made a few years ago, but, after due considera- 
tion, the nmtual judgment seemed to be in favor of remaining as separate organi- 
zations. They work together in harmony, and undoubtedly are reaching more 
people and doing more good while working in "two bands." The following 
have been the pastors in succession from the beginning : Rev. Levi F. Waldo, 



354 TOWN OF NORTH BROOKFIELD. 

William II. Bcoclicr (eldest son of Dr. Lyman Beecher), Luther Keene, Jr., 
George II. Wilson, and J. W. Hird, the present incumbent. 

The date of the huiiilin": of the Catiiolic churches is not given in " Sadlier's 
Catholic Diiectory," hut that work, for 1870, mentions St. Joseph's Church in 
North Drooklield, as well as St. Mary's Church in South Brookfield. The 
ministers in connection with St. Joseph's Church are Rev. i\Iich:iel Walsh and 
Rev. John Conwa^'. "The church in South Brookfield is attended from North 
Brookfield." The population ministered to by these pastors is quite numerous. 

The people of this town have always attended to the education of their 
children. If disposed to be lax in this regard, of which there is no proof, they 
coukl not have neglected their duty while under the influence of such a succession 
of clergymen and leading laymen as this community' has been favored with for 
more than a hundred years. At present there are sixteen schools, including 
the high school. The number of children in 1878 was seven hundred and 
si.xty-fonr, between five and fifteen years of age. Tlie number in attendance 
was nine hundred and thirty, and the average attendance was six hundred and 
eighteen. The population was three thousand seven hundred and forty-nine in 
1875, and the valuiition in 1877 was $1,889,239. The appropriation for educa- 
tion, not including superintendence, printing, and a few minor expenses, was 
in 1877, $7,000. In the same year over $850 were expended in repairing 
school-houses. The number of scholars in the high school was seventj'-threc, 
and the teacher's salary of the principal was $1,500. The length of the schools 
is nearly seven and a half months yearly, and the length of the high school is 
nine and a half months. 

Resuming the topic of business, it is safe to say that few towns so secluded 
as was this until the branch railroad was opened to the Boston and Albany 
line at East Brookfield station, a few years since, have increased so rapidly in 
enterprise and wealth. Barber wrote, in 1839, that there were about thirty 
dwelling-houses in the central village ; now there must be not far from four 
hundred and fifty in and near the centre. In 1837, there were manufactured in 
the town, twenty-foiu- thousand one hundred and seventy pairs of boots, and 
live hundred and fifty-nine thousand nine hundred pairs of shoes, the value of 
which was $470,310. By the census of 1875, the value of hoots and shoes 
made was $1,897,000, and the value of leather made was $61,000. The 
jircat and well-ordered boot and shoe establishment of E. & A. H. Batcheller 
& Co., is the largest of the kind in the country. The flooring of the building 
covers an area of about three acres, and from twelve to fifteen hundred persons 
have been employed in it at the same time. By careful superintendence, good 
workmen, and the use of the latest improvements in machinery, this establish- 
ment has been a pecuniaiy success, and has given life in all material things 
to the village, while furnishing means for securing the comforts of home, and 
fuilhering all the higher interests of education and religion. 

The farm property of the town makes a respectable figure. The number of 



WAR OF SECESSION. 355 

acres is thirteen thousaud seven hundred and three-sixteenths, nearly all of 
which is improvable. In crops, orchards and woodland there are al)out five 
thousand and six hundred acres, the valuation of which is $232,745. The 
total valuation of l.ind, fruit-trees and vines and domestic animals is given 
as $401,356. There were, in 1875, one hundred and thirty-six houses con- 
nected with farms. 

The patriotism of the people in the Colonial, Provincial and Revolutionary 
wars has already been mentioned. The same heroic and self-sacrificing spirit 
was shown when foul Rebellion lifted its head against the national authority, 
for the purpose of sundering the Union and making slavery perpetual. When 
the people heard of the attack on Fort Sumter, there was but one feeling, 
sentiment and purpose, which was that the government should be sustained at 
all hazards, and that, if possible, (he bonds should be stricken oS" from every 
slave in the south-land. Meetings were held to give expression to the public 
mind, and on the 29th of April, 18G1, the first legal town meeting 
was assembled to act on matters relating to the war. At this meeting it was 
voted that each volunteer, while drilling, should receive a dollar per day, if a 
member of the company which was then forming, and if he should be mustered 
into the service, was to be supplied with a substantial uniform and a good 
revolver, and that his family should receive eight dollars a month while he was 
in active service. June 3, it was voted to pay State aid to volunteers, accord- 
ing to the act passed by the legislature. The treasurer for that and the following 
year, Thomas II. Tucker, was authorized to borrow three thousand dollars to 
carry the votes into effect. The selectmen in the course of the war were 
Augustus Smith, Erastus Ilill, Hiram Edson, J. F. Hibbard, Louis E. Hill, 
and George F. Gulliver. The town clerk was Hiram Knight, and in the last 
three years of the war he was also town treasurer. 

In 1862, March 3, the town voted again to pay State aid, audon the third of 
July, to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer who should enlist 
for three years and be credited to the quota of the town, "before the first of 
August next." In August a bounty of one hundred dollars was offered to any 
inhabitant of the town, who should enlist in a nine months' regiment. In 1863, 
December 8, James Miller, Charles Adams, Jr., andT. M. Duncan were chosen to 
assist the selectmen in raising recruits. On the 5th of April, 1864, a bounty of 
one hundred and twenty-five dollars was voted to each volunteer for three years, 
who should be credited to the quota of the town ; and on the 2Gth of June, the 
same sum was voted as bounty for one year's men, two hundred and twenty-five 
dollars for two years' men, and three hundred and twenty-five dc^llars for three 
years' men. This plan lasted through the war. Two hundred and forty-seven 
men wei-e furnished by North Brookfield, which was twelve over and above all 
demands. Twelve of these were commissioned otKcers. Among these were 
Hon. Francis A. \Yalker, present superintendent of the census ; and Jeremiah 
E. Green, Esq., at present an editor of the "Worcester Spy." 



35() TOWN OF NORTH BROOKFIELD. 

The amount of money expended by the tf)\vn in carrying on the war, cxchi- 
sive of State aid, was $10,939.08; the amo\int of State aid was $17,886.47, 
making a total of $34,82.5. 55. It is the testimony of Adjt. Gen. Sehouler, 
that the "ladies of North Brookfield did their full share of good works for the 
soldiers during the war." 

The location of the village of North Brookfield is singularly pleasant, situated 
on a group of gentle eminences, with sides sloping to intervening valleys. It 
is seen from afar like a city on several hills, and it looks out upon a fine pano- 
rama of varied scenery. The centre is in latitude 42° 17'. The distance from 
Worcester, by direct line, is fourteen and a half miles, and from Boston is 
al)out fifty-live miles. By railway the distance is several miles greater. 

In the village are four churches, a public hall which cost $20,000, a tavern 
named theBatchelKr House, a high school house, and a savings bank. A hand- 
some monument has been erected in honor of the soldiers in the war of freedom 
at an expense of about $4,000. This stands at the northerly end of the grounds 
connected with the First Congregational Church. 

This town has been favored with public-spirited and able men. The follow- 
in? may be referred to without disparagement of others. William Appleton, 
a native, has been mentioned already ; Amasa Walker, long in public life, and 
a lucid writer on finance and other subjects of public interest; Prof. Ebcnezer 
S. Snell, son of Dr. Snell, and Walker professor of mathen)atics and natural 
philosophy, almost if not quite from the foundation of Amherst College; 
Bonum Nye, county commissioner, and in other public trusts ; Freeman 
Walker, i-eprcsentative and member of the State Senate; and Charles Adams, 
Jr., representative, senator. State treasurer, and member of the governor's 
council. The roll might be drawn at greater length by one familar with the 
families of the town. 

The names of the lawyers who have resided here are the following: Daniel 
Gilbert, Arad Gilbert, J()sei)h Felton, James 11. Hills, J. Evarts Greene, 
Robert E. Beecher and L. E. Baiiies. 

These are the names of the physicians who have made this town their home 

and field of practice: Drs. Jacob Kittredge, Oliver Kittredge, Wright, 

Crossfield, Cheney Potter, Moses Porter, Thomas Jones, Joshua Porter, 

Oramcl Martin, Warren Tyler, Saxlon P. Martin, J. M. Seaver, George Spooncr, 
AV. F. Witter, O. J. Travers, C. C. Cundell, T. J. Garrigan and Reed. 

The following have been here for brief periods : Pierce, Bryant and 
Swase)-. 

There arc in the town an Odd Fellows' Lodge, a Division of the Order of the 
Sons of Temperance, and the Post "Ezra Batcheller" of the Grand Army of 
the Republic. 

In the year 18G9 the "Ladies' Library Association" was formed, and duly 
incorporated. The object of this association was to establish a circulating 
libr.'uv and make a collection of books which shoidd form tiie nucleus of a 



INCORPORATION. 357 



Town Public Lilirary. In 1879 this library, consisting of about eleven hundreil 
volumes, was oflercd as a gift to the town. About the same time a successful 
eifort on the pint of some of the past and present members of the hi^h school 
resulted in obtaining from individuals about two thousand dollars for the same 
purpose. To this the town added a grant of five hundred dollars. Thus the 
town has in prospect, at an early day, the possession of a library which will bo 
at once a benefit and an honor to its citizens. 

In July, 1875, ground was broken on the North Brookfield Railroad, which 
is about four and a half miles in length, reaching to East Brookfield depot. 
On the first day of January, 187G, it was publicly opened for business. The 
capital stock is one hundred thousand dollars, ninety thousand dollars of which 
was subscribed by the town, and ten thousand dollars by individuals. Its 
benefits w-ere not expected in dividends, but in the diminished cost of travel 
and freight — particularly the latter, and in the comfort and convenience of 
railroad travcd over horsc-powcr. And the people have not been disappointed ; 
they have more than realized their highest anticipations. Besides a saving of 
about twenty thousand dollars a year in cost of travel and freight, dividends 
amounting to five thousand dollars have been paid, leaving out the earnings 
since Jan. 1, 1879. Several of the most judicious citizens doubted the 
expediency of undertaking the enterprise by the town, but the measure was 
carried by an overwhelming majority, and now no man in the town regrets the 
result, or would return to the old way if he could ; and all wonder how the 
town did so Ions without a railroad. 



WEST BROOKFIELD. 



CHAPTER I. 

INCORPORATION AND POSITION NATURAL FEATURES W'AR HISTORY THE 

WAITE FAMILY THE REVOLUTION. 

The incorporation of this town took place March 3, 1848, and therefore it 
has had a history of its own for only thirty-one j'cars, though within its bounds 
occurred nearly all the events which fill the earlier history of Brookfield. 
While those events will not be related anew, the reader will do well to remem- 
ber that they had a "local habitation and a name," amid these hills, plains, 
streams and ponds. lie will bear in mind also that they were not "airy noth- 
ings," like the poet's dream, but events that once filled the settlers with dread. 



358 TOWN OF WEST BROOKFIELD. 

and by inspiring them to heroic struggle and endurance, have made their 
dwelling-place become hallowed ground. 

Why the town took such a shape may l)e known to the inhabitants, but when 
working the act of incorporation through the Legislature, they probably did 
not have an eye to the figure it would make on the map. It is wedge-shaped, 
with irregular and jagged sides, made by carrying the lines arouud farms. New 
Braintree is on the north cud, or head of the wedge. The towns of Brook- 
field and North Brooktield are on the east. At the west are Ware and Warren. 
The latitude of the centre is 42° 14', and the distance from Worcester by 
straight line is seventeen miles and one-fifth. The distance to Boston, by rail, 
is sixty-nine miles. The railroad connections are good, as all trains on the 
Boston and Albany line stop at the station, where an excellent restaurant has 
long furnished refreshments to hurrying travelers. 

In some points the scenery differs from that of the other two Brookfields. 
It is favored with fine hills, like them, and like Brookficld, it is crossed by the 
great valley of the Qnaboag, but it has a larger share of plains, and of level 
upland. From the south-west angle of Foster Hill, the eye glances over an 
extensive tract, including the low lands bordering the river, the great plain 
on which the village is built, Wickaboag Lake at the west of the village, and 
then a continuation of the plain to the west and north. Here is room for a 
city, surpassed by few places in the Commonwealth. At the north part of 
the town are Ragged and Whortleberry hills ; Wigwam and Foster hills are 
on the eastern side ; Long Ilill is south of the river, and Coy's Hill is in the 
western section. There is, partly between Ragged and Coy's hills, says Whit- 
ney, "a large ledge of rocks, which, in all probability, was rent asunder ages 
ago, by an earthquake. The rock on one side is shelving over, and the open- 
ing made is sufficient to contain a hundred men ; and the appearance indicates 
that it was once a rendezvous for Indians. This place is called b^^ the people 
of Brookfield, The Stone House." Smaller elevations diversify the surface. 
The Quaboag is the main river and flows from east to west, being one of the 
"Three Rivers" that form the Chicopee. Into this pour the brooks and rivu- 
lets that come down from the northern hills. The Wickaboag Pond sends its 
superfluous water, by a chtinnel called Lashaway, which is some thirty rods in 
length, into the Quaboag River. Water, enclosed by wooded borders, is alwa^-s 
a pleasant thing to see, but when the shores are "scoofied " into elegant shape, 
to use a favorite word of Dr. Dwight's, the pleasure is heightened. There is a 
careless grace about the curvatures of these shores which charms the eye along, 
from point to point, and from cove to ba}-, until the circuit is completed. The 
Indians frequented this lake for its fishing. If wc knew that they were attracted 
by its natural beauties, our respect for them would become positive ; but the 
love of beauty in the scenes of nature is the fruit of mental cultivation, and, 
therefore, civilized man will find more and still more to admire as he advances 
in knowledije of the "handiwork" of the Creator. 



EARLY WARS. 359 



" Oh, if so much of beauty pour itself 
Tlirougli every vein of life and of creation, 
How beautiful must the Great Author be, 
The bright, the eternal ! " 

When the white men first came hither, the forests were filled with game, and 
the streams with fish, as the Indians never increased fast enough to exhaust 
their sources of subsistence. Noxious animals and serpents made caution 
needful. Trees of every kind usually found in the same latitude, supplied 
wood, timber and lumber in abundance. The soil was good, and of a kind 
not quickly exhausted. Farming has been remunerative to successive genera- 
tions of diligent cultivators. 

The war history of the time of King Philip has been briefly recounted in the 
sketch of Brookfield. Remembering that Foster Hill, and Wickabuag Pond, 
and Marks's gtirrison, and Gill)ert's fort, and the "tower," as well as "Death 
Valley," now iu New Braintree, were within the bounds of this town, and 
passing the wars of King William and Queen Anne, the reader will come down 
to the time of the generation which followed, and attend briefly to the wars iu 
which the French, with Indian allies, harassed and slew our forefathers iu the 
middle of the last century. 

There was living in the town, as late as 1793, an aged man named Thomas 
Ains worth, who supposed ho was the last surviving soldier of Lovewell's or 
Lovell's fight, so famous in former times. The fight was in the year 1725. 
The war with Spain was the occasion, in 1741, of the death of many of the 
brave young men of the Province. Under Admiral Vernon and Gen. Went- 
worth, five hundred volunteers went to the West Indies, where they died like 
sheep, smitten by a plague. Only one in ten returned. As Lancaster gave 
several choice young men to that senseless and ruinous expedition, it is fair to 
conclude that Brookfield, a similar frontier town, furnished her tale of victims. 

In the war of 1745, a great expedition was sent, under Sir William Pep- 
perell, in conjunction with Admiral Warren, to capture Louisburg, on the 
island of Cape Breton. In this expedition the quota of Massachusetts was 
three thousand two hundred and fifty men. The names of several men of 
Brookfield are on the rolls of regiments which were in that famous campaign, in 
the year 1745. In 1747, Gov. Shirley raised a considerable force for the cap- 
ture of Canada, and, doubtless, there were soldiers fnnii Brookfield in that 
levy. In 1748, John Wait was at Fort Dummcr, guarding the frontier. He 
was a sou of John Wait, the proprietor of " Wait's tavern," on Foster Hill. 

Then came the war of 1755-63, in which the French, with the help of the 
savages, made a final struggle to efiect the conquest of North America, and sub- 
ject the English Colonies on the Atlantic coast to their sway. Durin"' five 
years, from 1755 to 1759, the contest went on with varying fortuues, till the 
crowning victory of Wolfe at Quebec, gave the supremacy to Great Britain, 
and both security aud ultimate independence to the Colonies. The old muster- 



360 TOWN OF WEST BROOKFIELD. 

rolls show how largely this town partieipatoil in this exhausting, hut success- 
ful, and oil tho whole, beneficent contest. Piopcrty was used up by millions ; 
lives were lost by thousands ; there was a sad and fearful dissolution of mor- 
als, and the churches languished, but the way was prepared for growth and 
prosperity. 

One of the settlers of Brookfield was John Wait, of the Airaily from which 
the Waites of Lyme, Conn., have sprung, — the late Chief Justice Waite 
of Connecticut, and his son, the present Chief Justice of the United States, 
and also Congressman Jt)hn T. AVaite. This John Wait, a soldier of the 
earlier Indian wars, was of the fourth generation, bis great-grandfather, Richard, 
having come from England to Watertown, in 1G37. John settled in Brookfield 
in 174G, and owned the "Old Wait tavern," which he kept on Foster Mill 
during many years. This John had seven sons ; viz., John, Joseph, Thomas, 
Benjamin, Richard, Jcduthan and William. The first was born in 1730, and 
the rest between that time and 17oG. John, the eldest son, young as he was 
in 1748, was a corporal at Fort Dummer, and during the French and Indian 
wars was a member of Rogers's famous "corps of Rangers," also engaged in 
reducing the forts near Lakes George and Champlain. "U[)on receiving news 
of the battle of Lexington, he left his plow in tho furrow, and, collecting such 
of his neighbors as would volunteer, hastened to the scene of action, where he 
served as captain during the remainder of the year." Besides being a member 
of the "Committee of Safety" and the "Committee of Correspondence," and 
in other important positions, he was in 1777, in the battle of Bennington. Ho 
was also in the second battle of Saratoga, when Gen. Burgoyne surrendered 
to Gen. Gates. 

Ills next brother, Joseph, born in 1732, entered the provincial army in 1754, 
under Capt. Eleazer Mclvin, for the defence of tho eastern frontiers. From 
this time to the close of 1759, he was in constant service, and rose from the rank 
of corporal to that of captain. His life during these five years was one long 
scene of almost incredible hardship and danger. He was in the Crown Point 
expedition in 1754, and in service near Lake George, in 1755 ; and during that 
and the next year was under Col. Dwight,at forts Edward and AViliiam Henry. 
Among his associates here were R()l)urt Rogers, Israel Putnam and John Stark. 
In 1757, he was Joined to Rogers's corps of Rangers, which was composed of 
men "accustomed to traveling and scouting, and in whose courage and fidelity 
the most implicit confidence could be placed." In the same year he was sent 
to Halifax, but was recalled and sent again to the region of tho lakes, where, 
in 1758, he reconnoitred in tho vicinity of Ticonderoga. He was present in 
the attack on that fort in Jul}', when tho English lost nineteen hundred and 
fortv-foiir, killed and wounded, among the former of whom was Lord Howe. 
And so he continued scouting and lighting till tho close of tho war, when he 
settled in Vermont, and afterwards in New Hampshire, where ho was a member 
of the General Assembly in 1775-70. In ihe wai' of the Revolution he became 




OLD -WAIT TAVERN," IdSTKR HILL, WKST HKOOKI'IKLl), MASS. (Fl)rmeliy owned 

and kujit by John Wait, of Revolutionary fame.) 



THE WAITE BROTHERS. 361 

lieutenant-colonel, with the reputation of one of the most bravo and efficient 
ofiicers in the service, and while commanding the advance-guard of Gen. 
Arnold's fleet on Lake Champlain, was killed in a skirmish a few days before 
the naval battle of Valcour. His life would make a volume full of daring and 
adventure. 

The third son of John Wait, the tavern-keeper, on Foster Hill, was Thomas. 
He was born in 1735, and was about twenty years old when the contest began. 
With his brother Joseph, next older, he entered the army in the same com- 
pany, and, it is supposed, continued in the service during the "seven years' 
war." Afterwards he removed to Vermont, and was a patriot in the Revolu- 
tion. He was among the Rangers in the battle of Bennington, and was killed 
in the year following. 

The fourth of these brothers was named Benjamin, born in 1737, and 
eighteen years old when the war began in 1755. He enlisted in the war as a 
private in one of the Provincial regiments. Though still a boy, he was tall 
and stout for his age, and being a keen hunter, was transferred to Rogers's 
corps of Rangers, "where his hardihood, skill and daring soon caused him to be 
included among those selected for the most hazardous undertakings of that 
fiimous corps." He was captured by the French in 175(5, and taken to Quebec, 
where he was shipped as a prisoner to France, but before landing, a British 
vessel-of-war captured the French ship, and Wait was taken to England. 
Returning home, he again joined the Rangers, and in 1757, after beiug in 
several desperate encounters, iu which he distinguished himself, he was 
captured by a scouting-party of Indians, and taken to St. Francis. Here he 
was made, with other prisoners, to "run the gauntlet," as it was called. 
Running the gauntlet was running between a double line of Indians armed 
with whips or sticks, all of whom did their best to hit the swift-flying captive. 
As a common thing the poor fellow fell dead before he reached the end of the 
lines. It is reported that the fellow-prisoners of "Wait suffered severely from 
the blows of the Indians, but that he, being more athletic, and also better 
acquainted with the character of the Indians, snatched a gini from one of them 
and laid about him from right to left as he ran, "scattering the Indians before 
him, and escaped with hardly a blow, greatly to the delight of the old men of 
the tribe, who sat at some distance witnessing the scene, and enjoying the 
confusion of the young warriors. As he neared the end, an old squaw stood 
in her door, and heckoning, said, "Venez id, Anglais, venez ici" (come here. 
Englishman, come here). He was at the taking of Louisburg under Gen. 
Amherst, in 1758, in command of troops crossing the St. Lawrence River 
under fire of the enemy ; was with Rogers iu 1759, in the expedition against 
the St. Francis Indians, and was sent to Detroit on a warlike expedition 
in 17()0. He had been in over forty combats Iiefore he was twenty years old. 
Returning to Vermont, he became conspicuous, and Waitsfield was named in his 
honor. One fact is mentioned which reveals to us the hardships of the Revolu- 



362 TOWN OF WEST BROOKFIELD. 



tionary heroes, and illustrates the blighting curse of irredeemable paper 
money. He sold his property fur specie, at the opening of the Kevolutiou, 
and loaned four thousand dollars in gold to the government. He was repaid in 
Continental money, so called, and this became so depreciated that at one time he 
gave " twelve hundred dollars of it to a peddler for half a pound of tea, and 
quarter of a pound of indigo." Kichard, the fifth brother, born in 1745, joined 
Capt. Thomas Cowdeu's company in 1762, when seventeen years old, and 
served through the war. He became a patriot of the Revolution after moving 
to Vermont, and was a captain in Hcrrick's regiment in the battle of Benning- 
ton. 

The two youngest of the brothers — Jeduthan, born in 1754, and William, 
born in 175G, were not old enough to tight the French and Indians, but were 
both out in the Revolution. The "Lexington alarm" called them to the scene 
of war, and they were stationed in Ro.vbury, under Capt. Peter Harwood. 
The tradition is that both were in the battle of Bunker Hill. Without follow- 
ing their story, it is enough to say that they served through the war and two 
years longer, until 1785. 

These facts regarding the Waite brothers have been recited because the 
young cannot form an idea of the toil, danger and loss sustained to make this 
a free country for them, except by becoming familiar with the daring, perils 
and prowess of individual men. The AVaites were not singular, except in the 
fact that they were numerous in bravery and in devotion to the service of 
their country. Their native town furnished scores of young men who were 
their peers. 

In the war of the Revolution the town was unsurpassed by the other towns 
in the State, either in the number of men sent into the field or the contribution 
of material aid. But on this point enough has been said under the head of 
Brooktield, until some one interested in the matter shall gather all the remain- 
ing materials, iuto a suitable memorial. 



CHAPTER II. 



HISTORY OF TUE CHURCH THE HALF-WAY COVENANT — SUCCESSIVE PASTORS 

LATER DENOMINATIONS LOCAL INDUSTRY BUSINESS ENTERPRISES 

THE PRESS THE REBELLION AND THE SPIRIT OF THE TOWN PUBLIC 

LIBRARY CITIZENS OF EMINENCE. 

As the town has a distinct, and, with one interval, an unbroken ecclesiastical 
history, it is proper to resume it at this point. As stated on a previous page, 
the Rev. Elisha Harding was ordained as the second pastor of the first church 
in Brookfield, Sei)t. 13, 1749, old style. The sermon was preached by Rev. 



CHURCH MATTERS. 363 



Nathan Buckniun of Medway, and was entitled "A Monitor for Gospel 
Miuiblers." The text was from Colossians iv. 17: "And say to Archipi)us, 
Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil 
it." Soon the second church, now the first in North Broolcficld, was organized, 
owing to Ihe distance of the members from the meeting-house. A new house 
of worship being needed by the mother church, there was an immediate and 
violent division between the people living in the western and eastern sections 
of the town. The result was the formation of the third church, now known as 
the "Evangelical Congregational Churcli of Brookficid," which was formed 
April 15, 1756. "In consequence of the commotion and troubles incident to 
this last division of the parish, Mr. Harding, at his own request," says the 
Rev. Samuel Dunham, in his interesting Historical Discourse, "was dismissed. 
Ma}' 8, 1755, having sustained the ]5astoral ofiice not quite six years." Mr. 
Harding was a graduate of Harvard College in 1745, having been a year below 
the Hon. Jedcdiah Foster, one of his most honored and useful parishioners. 
It is said of Mr. Harding that ho Avas a "gentleman of great benevolence"; a 
"man of singular probity and solid learning," and as "one who from a child 
had known the Holy Scriptures, and made them much the matter of his study." 
All this prepares the mind for what follows: "His public ministrations were 
serious, and adapted to edify and benefit his hearers." 

There was a period of about two and a half years before an(jther pastor was 
settled. During this time of "supplies" the third mecting-housc was erected. 
As the people of the southern and eastern sections declined to aid them in 
rebuilding on the summit of Foster Hill, they sensibly decided to accommodate 
themselves by building the new house on the plain, and as near the centre of 
the parish as was practicable. In 1755 the new or third sanctuary was set up 
near the spot where the present Congregational meeting-house stands, on the 
west side of the beautiful common of West Brookfield. A few excerpts from 
the records will be read with interest: "Voted, to proceed to build a meeting- 
house for public worship at the turning of the county rode near the north-east 
corner of a plow field belonging to John Barnes, l)eing on the plain in said first 
Precinct." This was passed Jan. 22, 1755. The house was to be of wood, 
and to be forty-five feet long and thirty-five feet wide. 

July 15, 1756, the people voted to "sell the pew-floor in the meeting-house 
to the inhabitants of said Precinct, preference to be made to those persons 
who pay the largest tax, ^roy/tZetZ theij^oill give as much as others." There 
were to be "seventeen pews upon the floor of said meeting-house, and no more, 
adjoyning to the wall of said house." Abner Gilbert was entrusted with the 
care of the meeting-house, and was to sweep it "twelve times a year, and 
ofteuer if need be," for which ho was to receive twelve shillings as a "reward 
at the end of the year." In June, of this year, it was voted to "build a 
pulpit, deacon's seat, and Ministerial pew," and more seats for the people 
generally in the body of the house. 



304 TOWN OF WEST BROOKFIELD. 

Probably the demand for seats increased as the following action was taken 
Sept, 3, 1759. "Voted, to sell the front Gallery in the meeting-house to nialce 
into Pews." Also, "to Build Iho Gallery stairs, Lay the Gallery lloors, Build 
the Brestwork, and three seats in the front, and two seats in each of the side 
galereys." By March 20, 17G0, the time had come to provide a "Gushing for 
the pulpit." The next year, November 14, it was provided that the " meeting- 
house shall be Lathed, Plaistcred and white-washed." 

The house having been erected, and so far made comfortable by seats, lalh 
and plaster aud a " Gushing," it is time to see who occupied the pulpit. The 
third pastor, Mr. Joseph Parsons, was ordained on the 23d of November, 
1757. It was doubtless a pleasant fact to him that his two nearest ministerial 
neio'hbors were college mates : Rev. Eli Forbes of North Brookfield, was in 
the class before him, aud the Rev. Nathan Fiske, settled the next year iu 
Brookfield, was iu the second class after him. As the Rev. Joseph Parsons of 
Bradford, was one of the ordaining council, it is not a violent presumption 
that he was a relative, perhaps the father of the candidate. 

Mr. Parsons's support was provided for in the following manner : — He was to 
receive "one hnudrcd and eight pounds, lawful silver money, as settlement, 
one half to be paid in one year, and the other half in two years " ; and a salary 
of fifty pounds, lawful silver money, the first and second years, fifty-five 
pounds the third, and sixty pounds the fourth year, until the eighth year, when 
it was to be increased by six pouuds, thirteen shillings and fourpence for the 
"remainder of his ministry." Besides this amount of money, he was to have 
thirty cords of good wood brought to his door annually. There was a condi- 
tion that he should relinquish to the precinct all right and claim to the revenues 
of the ministry lands. These miuisb-y lands were divided, Dec. 21, 1758, 
between the three parishes of the town, and the portion belonging to the first 
parish was sold. The interest of the money arising from the sale was devoted 
to the support of the minister. 

In the 3'ear 1758, the Ilulf-wcnj Covenatil was introduced, and became in 
time a serious evil here, as in all churches, which ever attempted to enlarge a 
church with unfit materials. By this time the bad working of the system had 
become so evident iu other places, that strenuous cH'orts were made to bring it 
to an cud. Some churches were couvidscd in the struggle to cast out the 
devil of unconverted membership. Pres. ICdwards had l)rought his unequalled 
powers to bear against the system, and Whitefield had thundered against it 
through the land. The i)lan was to "own the Covenant" as it was called. 
That is, a special form of covenant was framed, by "assenting to which any 
person, not of an immoral character, who had been baptized in infancy, might 
bo recognized as a member, with the i)rivilege of availing himself of the 
ordinance of baptism for his children, though not required, or expected to 
partake of the Lord's Supper. ' According to Mr. Dunham, "this pernicious 
practice, which prevailed in this church nearly sixty years, during which time 



HALF-WAY COVENANT. 3G; 



about one liiiiulrctl per.sons ' owned the Covenant,' wrought no little iniscliiclV 
Tlio liv^t two p;ir:i<xrnp])s of (lie " oiiijinal and present Covenant of the 
Church" may he inserted licre as a liistorical monument, showing the continuity 
of the faith, on an important point, during a period of one hundred and sixty 
years. This must not he confounded with the half-way covenant. 

" You do now in the presence of the great and holy God, the elect Angels, and this 
assembly of witnesses, enter into a solcinn and perpetual covenant, never to be forgot- 
ten, never to be broken. 

" You sincere!}- and cordially give up j-oursclf to that God whose name alone is 
.Jeuovah ; taking God the Father to be your God and Father, God the Son to be your 
only Saviour and Redeemer, God the Holy Ghost to be your Sanctifier and Com- 
forter." 

In 17G8, Mr. Parsons was obliged to suspend preaching on account of 
feeble health, and in about three years, on the 17th of January, 1811, he died, 
when in the fourteenth year of his ministry, and thirty-eighth year of his age. 
He was buried in the old burying-grouud, where a stone marks his grave, 
erected by order of the parish. In the new cemetery, erected also at the 
expense of the parish, though he deceased more than a hundred years ago, 
is another stone sacred to his memory. The inscription has these words : — 
"He was an example of patience and resignation, and died strong in faith and 
full of hope. 'The memory of the just is blessed.'" During his pastorate 
the greatest harmonj' prevailed between him and his people, so that his minis- 
try was eminently peaceful. Ho was "distinguished," said one who knew 
him, "for the vivacity of his descriptions, the accuracy of his reasoning, and 
the persuasiveness of his exhortations." 

Next in the line of pastors came the Rev. Ephraim Ward, who was born in 
Newton, in 1741, and graduated at Harvard, in 1763. He was ordained Oct. 23, 
1771. His ministry began in the disturbed period preceding the outbreak of 
the Revolutionary war, when there was commotion in many towns and churches 
in regard to questions of public polic}'. There wore three classes of men. 1. 
The outspoken W^higs, who early became decided to fight for independence. 
2. The confirmed loyalists or Tories, who finally joined the enemy and left the 
country. 3. Those men who were sound in the principles of liberty and true 
to their country, but who hesitated about the time when the contest should 
begin, and the question of separation from the mother country be decided. A 
few ministers were in this third class, and became involved in trouble thereby 
from some of the hasty and turbulent spirits in their parishes. Probabl}^ that 
was the case with Mr. Forbes of the North Parish. But !Mr. Ward's pastorate 
extended through the whole period of the Revolution from the preliminary 
movements to the final and grand consuuimation, and yet he lived in entire har- 
mony' with his people. The terms of his agreement, as to "settlement" and 
"salary," were similar to those of his predecessor, with the pi'ovision that, if 



366 TOWN OF WEST BROOKFIELD. 

he should become disabled, his salary should be reduced one-half. The thirty 
cords of firewood were not to be decreased. Mr. Ward accepted the proposal, 
but stated that it was "not agreeable to his expectations," and attended with 
some "peculiar restrictions." 

The ministry of Mr. Ward was so happy and prosperous that there is a pleasure 
in dwelling upon it, but our limits forbid. It is said of him that he "possessed 
a peculiar talent for cultivating peace. Though he was ready to extend the 
hand of discipline, when the honor of his Master's cause required it, yet he 
never resorted to coercive measures till all other expedients to reclaim the 
delinquent had failed." Dr. Phelps, for some time his colleague, said : " He 
had no enemies, and all the congregation respected and loved him." Under 
his faithful and prayerful labors, the church was enlarged. In nearly every 
year, whether of peace or war, there were some additions to the church. The 
aggregate number added on seven different occasions was one hundred and 
sixty-two. None of the half-way covenant members are included iu this num- 
ber. By partial loss of sight, he was compelled to relinquish his labors, in 
part, in the autumn of 1813, and the neighboring clergy assisted him to some 
extent. On the forty-fifth anniversary of his settlement, Oct. 23, 1816, he 
received the Rev. Eliakim Phelps as a colleague. This new relation he was 
permitted to enjoy but a short time, as he was seized with paralysis in the 
course of a year. Recovering speech so as to l)e intelligible, he was al)lo to 
<rive "abundant assurance of the consolation and joy he felt at the prospect 
of Heaven." His departure occurred on the 8th of February, 1818, in the 
seventy-eighth year of his age, and after a pastorate of nearly half a 
century. 

Rev. Dr. Phelps, the fifth pastor, was born at Belchertown, March 20, 1790. 
He was graduated at Union College, Schenectady, in 1814. He made it a 
condition of his acceptance of the "call" to settle that the half-way covenant 
should be abolished. This was done by a unanimous vote. But the evil did 
not end with the vote ; and iu a revival of religion which followed, in 1818-19, 
many of those members who had never been converted had great "search- 
ings of heart." During this season of special interest, and as the result of it, 
one hundred and thirteen were added to the church ; and, during his pas- 
torate of ten years, there were one hundred and sixty-eight additions, all but 
twenty-eight of whom were by profession. Mr. Phelps was dismissed in 
182G, October 25, for the purpose of taking the position of principal of the 
Female Classical Seminary which at. that time existed iu the place. The 
remainder of his life was usefully and honorably filled in the service of his 
Master. He received the decree of doctor of divinity from Union College in 
1842. Prof. Austin Phelps of Andover Seminary is one of his sons. 

On the day of his dismission, the Rev. Joseph J. Foot was ordained as the 
sixth pastor of the church. He was a graduate of Union College and Andover 
Seminary. The next year, there was uncommon attention to the subject of 



RECENT PASTORS. 367 



religion, and one hnndred and twenty-two were admitted into the chiircii, 
twenty-five of wlioni united by letter from other cluirches. At liis own request, 
he was dismissed INIay 1, 1832. While here, lie delivered an historial discourse, 
which was prepared with great care, and has supplied his successors with much 
information in regard to the history of the church and town. 

His successor was the Rev. Francis Horton, a graduate of Brown University 
in 1826. His ministry began here on the 15th of August, 1832, and, after a 
very prosperous pastorate, he was dismissed Sept. 15, 1841. In those years, 
he received one hnndred and forty into the church on profession of their faith, 
besides fifty more by letter. 

It will be sufficient to give the names of the more recent pastors, with the 
dates of their coming and retiring, though they left enduring impressions. The 
Rev. Moses Chase was settled Jan. 12, 1842, and had a sad experience, as he 
seems to have taken extreme ground in opposition to the anti-slavery move- 
ment. This was met by counter efforts, and confusion and strife wrought with 
desolating effect. He was dismissed by an ex parte council in less than two 
years, and was followed by the Rev. Leonard S. Parker, a native of Dunbar- 
ton, N. H., and a graduate of Olicrlin Collegiate Institute. His installation 
took place Dec. 19, 1844. His influence was healing, and iu time ho began to 
gather in the harvest. After hoUling the pastoral office a little over six 
years, he was dismissed on the 7th of April, 1851. 

The ministers since have been : Rev. Swift Byington, from Nov. 7, 1852, to 
Nov. 1, 1858, when his useful ministry was closed at his request ; Rev. Christo- 
pher M. Cordley, from June 28, 1859, to Juno 23, 18G2, when he left for 
Lawrence, ]\Iass., where he exerted a strong influence in favor of every good 
cause. The Rev. Samuel Dunham was ordained Oct. 4, 1864, and dismissed 
Oct. 27, 1870. His excellent historical discourse has furnished many facts for 
this sketch. The Rev. Richard B. Bull was installed March 12, 1871, and 
dismissed on the 6th of July, 1874. There has been no settled minister since 
the last date, but the pulpit has been ably supplied by Rev. S. C. Kendall and 
Rev. Frederick Allen. The Rev. E. S. Gould now resides in the town and is 
the acting pastor. 

This account of the First Church will be closed by a reference to their 
houses of worship. By the year 1790, there was need of a new sanctuary. 
The first plan was for enlarging the old house. This was discarded, and, 
after the erection of a new house, the old one was used for a town house. 
The decisive vote for building was Oct. 29, 1792, and the house was fin- 
ished, and the dedication took place, Nov. 10, 1795. A bell was hung in 
1796. In 1818, individuals were permitted to put a stove or stoves into the 
meeting-house ; an organ was obtained some years after, and a better one in 
1856. The meeting-house was thoroughly remodeled in 1838. Formerly, it 
stood sideways to the road ; now it was turned so as to front the road or com- 
mon, and was put into modern shape. It is now, by more recent improve- 



3G8 TOWN OF WEST BROOKFIELD. 

mcnts, a large and pleasant house of worsliip, with all conveniences for 
leliirious and social purposes, proper to a centre of parish life. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in the fall of 1851, about the 
middle of October. The first meetings were held iu the old hall in the west 
part of the village. In 1852 the first pastor. Rev. Mr. Winslow, was 
appointed. The Rev. Mr. Clark was the next pastor. As the records have 
not been kept, a full list cannot be given. The Rev. Alphens N'ichols was the 
minister in charge in 1877, the Rev. J. S. Barrows iu 1878, and the Rev. G. 
II. W. Clark is the present pastor. The church has been influential in pro- 
moting the moral and religious welfare of the community diu-ing its compara- 
tively brief existence. 

The Roman Catholics hold meetings every Sunday in the town hall, as they 
have not a church edifice. They are, probably, "attended" from North 
Brookfield. 

The course of common school education in any one of our towns is like that 
in all the others, making allowance for local diversities. West Brookfield has 
always been an intelligent communily, and the people have been careful in 
securing the mental training of their children. The history of one year would 
be the history of another, from generation to generation. The number of 
schools at present is ten, and the number of school children between the ages 
of five and fifteen is three hundred and seventy-eight. The whole number of 
dilTcrcnt scholars in the schools was, in 1877-8, three hundred and eighty-nine. 
The average attendance was two hundred and forty-eight. The population in 
1875 was one thousand nine hundred and three. On a valuation of $795, 797, the 
appropriation for schools was $3,000, besides the expense for superintendence 
and other minor charges. The length of the schools is nearly nine months, 
or about three months more than the law requires. Almost eight dollars is 
spent annually for each scholar. 

About fifty years since an effort was made to establish a female school of a 
hish order, and for several years it was well attended. It was called "The 
Female Classical Seminar}." In 182() the Rev. Mr. Phelps was dismissed 
from his church that ho might become the principal, and he retained the 
position until he accepted a similar one in Pittsficld. In his time, and later, 
•be school flourished, and while it existed was an excellent institution. But in 
a few years it declined, cither for want of an endowment, or by the competition 
of other schools of the kind which were established in other places. 

West Brookfield has always been a busy place. The soil is good for raising 
almost all kinds of crops, and it is said that there are no better dairies in the 
county or State than here. In some years the number of gallons of milk sold 
has been as high as eighty thousand, besides large quantities of butter and 
cheese. By the returns in 1875 the pounds of butter made were over nineteen 
thousand, and of cheese more than thirty-seven thousand, yearly. The aggre- 
gate value of land, domestic animals, firming implements, &c., was $489,831. 



VARIOUS INDUSTRIES. 369 

The capital invested in manufactures was $211,500, and the value of goods 
made and work done was $647,305 by the returns of 1875. These are some of 
the principal branches of business: boots, value per annum, $517,700; heels, 
boot and shoe, $8,000 ; milk, condensed, and cheese, $18,9G7 ; besides other 
branches of less amount. The value of corsets made yearly, as reported in the 
State census of 1875, was $56,000. Since then the business lias greatly 
increased, and the annual product now is not less than $450,000. In the large 
manufactory under the supervision of Mr. C. L. Oimstead, between four and 
five hundred hands, male and female, are employed. At times the numl)er is 
much larger. 

Mr. John M. Falcs was the father of the boot business in West Brookfield. 
He began about 1833, since which time the small enterprise has grown, in his 
and other hands, into the present large proportions. 

A printing-office was set up here before the close of the last century, of 
which tlie celebrated Isaiah Thomas of Worcester was one of the founders, 
though he did not become a resident. 

This was the home of the Merriam ftimily of printers and publishers, which 
has since become famous in connection with Webster's Dictionaries and other 
publications. A newspaper was published here as early as 1794 by Isaiah 
Thomas and his paitncr, Mr. Waldo. It was styled the "Political Telegraph 
and Brookfield Advertiser." In 1798 the Merriams started "The Political 
Repository and Farmer's Journal." The printing business has been continued 
till the present time, and now the " News " supplies the want for local news 
and advertising. There has been a tyi)e-f<)undry here a long time, and now 
(August, 1879) the company is stereotyping the new translation of Virgil's 
JlJneid by Lieut. Gov. Long. 

There are two good hotels in the centre, besides the excellent restaurant at 
the depot. The names of the hotels are the West Brookfield Hotel and the 
Wickaboag House. 

Military service in suppressing the Rebellion was freely rendered by the 
citizens of this town. All differences of opinion in relation to political cpies- 
tions were laid aside, and the voice of all was for war until the supremacy of 
the national government was secured. Spontaneous meetings were held, at 
which the most earnest utterances of patriotic sentiment were spoken to 
sympathizing hearers. When the first legal meeting was held, April 29, the 
town voted to pay "each volunteer belonging to the town, when mustered into 
the service, twenty dollars, and to furnish him with a revolver." In those early 
days of the contest, and before actual experience in the field, the "revolver" 
was very popular. It was supposed that no man was equipped for the service 
without a six or seven " shooter." But army life soon taught that the weapon 
was an incumbrance. However, at the time the volunteers shared in the 
general opinion, and scarcely anything was more pleasing to them than the 
present of revolvers. At the meeting above referred to a "pledge was given" 



370 TOWN OF WEST BROOKFIELD. 

that the families of the " soldiers should be properly cared for." The town 
officers who had special charge of the business of enlisting, recording and 
paj'ing, during the war, were these : The Selectmen, R. Cummings, A. C. 
Allen, William Foster, A. Makepeace, George II. Brown, E. W. Combs, H. 
Brown, Daniel Allen, A. C. Gleason, H. L. Bannister, T. E. Gary and Sanford 
Adams. The clerk and treasurer during the war was E. H. Blair. Commit- 
tees were appointed from time to time for special duties. 

In 1862, April 1, it was voted to "borrow eight hundred dollars for State 
aid to the soldiers' families." On the Gth of Jul}', the treasurer was authorized 
to borrow thirty-one hundred dollars to pay l)ountics to volunteers, who should 
enlist to the credit of the town for three years' service ; and on the 23d 
of August, the selectmen were authorized to pay a bounty of one hun- 
dred and fifty dollar to each volunteer for nine months' service. During the 
remainder of this, and all of the following year, the recruitingof volunteers and 
the payment of State aid was continued. The men who were in the field went 
through all the toils, dangers and hardships in marching, drilling, skirmishing 
and figliting, which wore the common lot of soldiers in that fearful time. Some 
were sick, some were wounded, and some were killed. Each case of suffering 
called for sympathy, and the call was not in vain. The ladies were unceasing 
in the work of preparing articles for the comfort of their friends in the field. 
Visits were made by individuals and committees to convey stores, and also by 
the living voice, to utter words of cheer and encouragement. 

In 1864, Juno 25, the selectmen were authorized to pay a bounty of one 
hundred and twent3-five dollars to each volunteer, who should enlist to fill 
the quota of the town "for the next call for men." On the 14th of 
August, it was decided to pay the bounty in gold, and to " raise a suflicient sum 
of money to procure fourteen men for the army." The town did its whole duty 
in comparison with other towns in the State. It furnished for the war one 
hundred and fifty-nine men, which was a surplus of twelve above all demands. 

The amount of money appropriated by the town in its legal capacity, was 
$11,277.61. The amount of money paid by the town, during the war, for 
State aid to soldiers' families, was $11,703.80. It is true that the State aid 
was repaid to the towns by the State, but it was repaid out of the public 
revenues, which the towns aided in supplying to the State treasury. It was 
all substantially a charge on the towns. In addition, a large amount, in the 
aggregate, was given by individuals, by ladies and societies, and by public 
contributions in the churches for the benefit of the soldiers. 

The public library was established by a vote of the town two years in suc- 
cession, appropriating the "dog fund" for the purpose. It was first opened 
for the delivery of books, Jan. 5, 1874, with three hundred volumes. In the 
spring of 1874, Mr. Charles Merriam of Springfield, donated about si.x hundred 
volumes. In December he supplied the reading-room with si.v daih' and eight 
weekly papers, and six monthly papers. Since then his gifts have been as fol- 



LOCAL NOTES. 371 



lows : — In October, 1875, his donation was five hundred dollars for the 
purchase of books ; in November, one hundred dollars to supi)ly the reading- 
room with papers and magazines ; in April, 1876, fifty shares of New York 
Central and Hudson River Railroad stock, the income of which is to be 
expended in the purchase of books for the library, and publications for the 
read in "■-room. The library now contains two thousand four hundred and 
thirty volumes. 

All travelers through the town have admired the common in the vilhige of 
West Brookfield. It was naturally pleasant, but has been improved with nmch 
taste. Towards the improvement, Mr. Stickncy of Baltimore, a grandson of 
Parson Ward, gave three thousand five hundred dollars. 

Both the old and the new cemeteries are a credit to the town. The grounds, 
the walks, the monuments and the inscriptions evince judgment, taste and liber- 
ality. Money spent by the living to beautify the place of their future sepul- 
ture, may perhaps, by the cynical, be charged to the score of vanity in the 
case of some, but when expense is incurred in honor of those long departed, 
a noble spirit of reverence for our ancestors is evinced, which honors the living 
as well as the dead. 

One benevolent society in this town deserves honorable mention on account 
of its age as well as its usefulness. It was organized under the name of the 
Dorcas Society, in 1800, and has continued its meetings without interruption 
to the present time. 

The more prominent characters of the town have been mentioned in the 
progress of this sketch. Among the natives are the following : — Lucy Stone, 
Rev. William B. Stone, formerly pastor of the Evangelical Church in Gardner; 
Hon. E. B. Lynde, recently a member of the Senate and a public-spirited citi- 
zen ; Daniel M. Chamberlain, a graduate of Yale College, and recently the able 
and upright governor of South Carolina; Rev. Leander T. Chamberlain, D.D., 
of Norwich, Conn. The Rev. Austin Phelps, D.D., for a long period one of 
the professors in the Theological Seminary at Andover, was either born in this 
town or came at a very early age. Much space might be filled with biographical 
notices of eminent men who have resided here. Such were Hon. Jabez Upham, 
a graduate of Harvard, in 1785, foremost in the business interests of the town, 
as well as in public life, and in Congress in 1807-9 ; and Brig. Gen. Joseph 
Dwight, who was a graduate of Harvard, in 1722, and spent much of his 
active life in this town. The Hon. Dwight Foster, son of Jedediah Foster, 
was graduated at Brown University, in 1774, and filled many honorable posts 
in the county of Worcester, and in the State and nation. He was in Congress 
in 1793-1801. His brother, Theodore, a graduate of the same college, lived 
in Providence, R. I., and was in the Senate of the United States thirteen 
years. The Hon. Jedediah Foster, father of the above brothers, was second 
to no man in the county in his time, in ability, wisdom, aud integrity. 



372 TOWN OF CHARLTON. 



CHABLTON, 



BY GEORGE A. STOCKWELL, A. M. 



CHAPTER I. 

SEPARATION FROM OXFORD AND INCORPOKATIOX — THE REVOLUTION — ECCLE- 
SIASTICAL HISTORY. 

The town of Charlton is situated in the south-western part of the county, 
bordered on the north by Leicester, Spencer and Broolcfield, on the west by 
Southhridge and Sturbridge, on the south by Southbridge and Dudley, and on 
the east b}' Oxford. 

The greater part of the present territory of Charlton was included in the 
original grant for Oxford. The eastern part of the latter, about twelve thou- 
sand acres, was given to the French settlers in 1685, and to the English in 
1713, while the western part, about thirty thousand acres, was reserved for 
the grantees. This latter tract, in consequence of the grievances set forth in 
the petitions herein given, was incorporated as a district in 1755, and given 
the name of Charlton, in honor, it is believed, of Sir Francis Charlton, at that 
time a member of the privy council. 

On Juno 12, 1750, the inhabitants and proprietors of the westerly part of 
the township of Oxford, and of that land called the County Gwre, petitioned 
the General Court to be erected into a separate township for the reasons that 
" part of your petitioners do not belong to an}' town whatsoever, and the other 
part of your petitioners was not in the least regarded by the inhabitants living 
in the easternmost part of Oxford, called the village, in their late setting up 
of their new meeting-house, as to the place of ground whereon the said meet- 
ing-house now stands. They think it would be of great advantage to them to 
be put in such circumstances that they might have the worship of God set up 
amongst them, and ask that from a line north and south, one mile west of the 
west line of the village, all west, with all the Gore lying off even against these 
lands, may be set olf for a new township." This petition was signed by 
Jonas Hammond, Jonathan Wheelock, Neheraiah Stone, David Whee- 
lock, John Thomson, David Thayer, Ephraim Mory, David Weld and Job 
Weld of the Gore, and by seventeen of the inhal)itauts of the westerly 
part of Oxford, whose names, except those of Ebenezer Twiss, Solomon Har- 
wood, Nathaniel Mackintire, John Davis, Sr., Isaiah Blood, Daniel Rich and 
Samuel Freeman, are jriven in the otboi- petition. 



EFFORT FOR INCORPORATION.. 



373 



The above petitioners "met with opposition from the Board," ami were dis- 
heartened, but on March 27, 1754, AYiliiam Alton, and others in the west part 
of Oxford, presented a second petition for a new town, or district. 

" To nin ExccUcnoj, William Shirkif, Esq , Governor mid Commnmlcr-in-Chicf, the Ilomrable 
Council, and I he Ilonse of Representatives in General Court Anitemblcd, the 27lh dni/ of 
March, 1 734 : — 

•• The petition of the subscribers, inhabitants of the town of Oxforrl, in the county 
of AVorccster, most humbly sheweth that your petitioners being in the west part of 
Oxford aforesaid, labor under great dilficulties by reason of the distance wo live from 
the place of public worship ; it being more than ten miles from the meeting-house to 
the west bounds of the town, and about two miles from the cast bound. Some of us 
attend worship at Dudley, and some at Sturbridge on Lord's days, and have no privi- 
lege from Oxford on this account ; and yet are always taxed to all charges of the town, 
and have been for more than sixteen years past ; but to encourage us in getting a town 
or district? of the west part of the town, they voted at a town meeting on the 17th day 
May, 1750, to set off the west part of Oxford, within two miles of the village line, in 
case a number of those residing in the Gore would join with us. 

" We then thought, and do now think, that if the village took two miles from the 
west part, we should be greatly wronged. 

" "We then applied to the Honorable Court for relief, but met with opposition from 
the Board ; we were disheartened, and as we had got timber for a meeting-house, and 
were much encouraged by the gentlemen owning land here, who offered to give the glass 
and nails ; but being taxed so high for building the meeling-house, and flnishing it in 
the best manner, equal to, if not better than any in this country ; and many of us not 
knowing anything of the town meeting, when the grant was made, and our paying to 
the support of schools in town, and having but little benefit therefrom, amongst us, 
and having such large herds of cattle brought among us, breaking into our improved 
lands and destroying our corn and grass, and living so far from the town pound as ten 
miles, and almost impossible to drive cattle there ; all these things considered, we fear 
we shall be undone, without the help of the court, for we petitioned the town to vote 
us off last March meeting, but nothing was acted upon it. 

"Your petitioners therefore humbly pray your Excellency and the Honorable Court, 
would be pleased to take our distressed circumstances under your wise consideration, 
and erect us into a town or district, or otherwise relieve your petitioners, as in your 
wisdom you shall think best, and in duty bound shall ever pray. 

John Henry, Adam Johnson, 

Joseph Clemence, Samuel Streeter, 

John Olds, Joseph Twiss, 

John Dresser, James Lamb, 

Elisha Putney, George Pike, 

Samuel Scott, John Davidson, 

Jonathan Clemence, Thomas Hawkins, 

Edward Willard, Philip Clemence, 

James Butler, Richard Blood, 

Amos Newton, Samuel Rogers, 

Benjamin Hobbs, Ebenezer Fosket, 

Richard Dresser, Paul Rich." 



William Alton, 
Nathaniel French, 
Edward Mackintire, 
Nathan Mackintire, 
Ebenezer Mackintire, 
Thomas Mackintire, 
Thomas Mackintire, Jr.. 
Jesse Mackintire, 
Job Mackintire, 
Daniel Mackintire, 
Edward Chamberlain, 
Nathaniel Blood, 
Ebenezer Lamb, 



374 TOWN OF CHARLTON. 



The "Gore," to which i-cfercnce is made in both petitions, was a triangular 
tract of ten thousand acres, reaching from Brookfield, touching Spencer and 
Leicester, and extending into what is now Auburn. This was annexed to 
Sturbridge, Oxford and Charlton, the latter receiving the greatest part. The 
herds of cattle mentioned in the second petition were driven thither bvthe non- 
resident owners of the land, or of that part not sold to the petitioners. 

The second petition received the attention of the General Court on April 9, 
1754, when the petitioners were directed to serve an order of notice on the 
clerk of the town of Oxford, requiring the inhabitants thereof, if they saw fit, 
to show cause why said petition should not be granted. The petition was then 
referred to a commiltee, the report of which was as follows : 

" The Court's Committee, having considered all the circumstances, recommend a 
district to be made : beginning at the south line of Oxford, one mile west of the village 
line, so called ; thence northerly, parallel with the line of said village, to Leicester, 
south bound ; thence west with Leicester and Spencer, south bound, until it comes 
within one mile and a quarter of Sturbridge, east bound ; thence running one mile and 
a quarter westerly to Oxford, north-west corner ; thence southerly by Oxford, westerly 
bound, to Dudley, north-west corner; thence with Oxford, south bound, to the 
point of beginning. 

On Jan. 10, 1755, an engrossed bill, entitled "An act for setting off the 
inhabitants, as also their estates, of the west part of Oxford, into a separate 
district," passed to be enacted. 

The district of Charlton, when incorporated, was, including the County 
Gore, annexed on the north, about seven miles square. In 1792 a part of the 
town on the south was added (o Sturbridge, and in 1816 about three thousand 
acres, also on the south, though further north than the above-mentioned tract, 
were taken to form a part of the town of Southln-idge, by which loss of territory 
the town of Charlton was deprived of the valuable water privileges afforded by 
the Quinebting River. The present area of the town is about 28,000 acres. 

By order of the General Court, IMoses Marcy was empowered to issue his 
warrant, addressed to a principal inhabitant, requiring him to notify and warn 
the inhabitants of the new town to assemble and choose officers. 

John Dresser was a principal inhabitant and in pursuance of the warrant, 
and his warning, the first town meeting was held on March 12, 1755, at the 
house of Ebcnczer Mackintire, innholder, where all town meetings were held 
until the church edifice was erected. These officers were elected : Clerk, 
Richard Dresser; Selectmen, Richard Dresser, Lieut. Obadiah Mackintire, 
Jonathan Dullard, John Dresser, Ebenezcr Mackintire ; Treasurer, William 
Alton; Constable, Josiah Blood; Tything-Man, Samuel Streetcr ; Surveyors 
iif Highways, Nathaniel Blood, Nathan Mackintire, Nathaniel French ; Hog- 
Reeves, Ebenezcr Mackintire, Jr., Samuel Streetcr, Jr. ; Fence-Viewers, 
Ebcnczer Lamb, Edward Chamberlain ; Brandcr of Horses, Ebenezcr Mackiu- 



PATRIOTIC ACTION. 375 



tire; Deer-Reeve, Beujamin Ilobbs ; Clerk of the Market, Ebenezer 
Mackiutire. 

At the second meeting of the district, on March 27, 17')"), a grant was made 
for schools, and on April 28 it was voted to build a meeting-house, and that it 
should stand at the centre of the district. At the same meeting, also, a pound 
was ordered to be built, and the letter C, for Charlton, was chosen as the 
brand-mark — on the left shoulder — for all horses. At subsequent meetings 
grants were made for the support of church and school, an account of both of 
which will be given elsewhere ; but, aside from this, the history of the town 
was devoid of special interest until the beginning of the Revolution. 

On August 5, 1773, the warrant for district meeting contained this article: 
"To see if the District will take into consideration the letter from the Com- 
mittee of Correspondence of Boston, and choose a Committee to draw up the 
resolves of the District, relating to the unconstitutional burdens that are laid 
on the Province." At a meeting held on the 19th instant, a committee for the 
purpose aforesaid was appointed, and reported thus : 

""We have taken into serious consideration the pamphlet sent us from Boston, 
wherein the rights and privileges of this Province are clearly stated, and the infringe- 
ments made thereon justly pointed out ; we return our sincere thanks to the town of 
Boston for the vigilance and firmness in support of the country, which has been very 
conspicuous in that metropolis ; and will heartily join with them in all such measures as 
may appear most conducive to the restoration of our invaUiable privileges from the 
hand of oppression." 

At this meeting a Committee of Correspondence was chosen, consisting 
of Jonas Hammond, Richard Dresser, Nathaniel Blood, Ebenezer Ham- 
mond, Stephen Fay, John Dresser and Ebenezer Fosket. In October, 
1774, Capt. Jonathan Tucker was chosen to represent the town in the Pro- 
vincial Congress at Concord ; also, at the same meeting, the constable was 
directed to pay what money he should collect to Henry Gardiner of Stow, 
according to the advice of the Provincial Congress, and the district voted to 
indemnify him for so doing. 

On Jan. 9, 1775, Capt. Jonathan Tucker was elected a delegate to the 
Provincial Congress at Cambridge, and a committee was chosen to see that the 
directions of the Continental and Provincial Congresses were strictly adhered 
to iu the district. In February of the same year the town voted to make 
allowance to the men in the district for practising military discipline ; and on 
May 22 the Rev. Caleb Curtis was chosen to attend Provincial Congress at 
"Watcrtown. Isaiah Blood, chosen in 1775, was the first representative to the 
General Court; and in 1776 Maj. Jacob Davis was elected to the same office. 
On June 17, 1776, two weeks before the Declaration of Independence was 
signed at Philadelphia, the town of Charlton voted to support the Continental 
Congress in declaring the Colonies independent of Great Britain, "to the 



;57(; TOWN OF CIIAKLTOX. 

extent of their lives and fortunes, if liiey tiiought it expedient for safety." On 
March 10, 1777, a committee was chosen "to advise the town to some measure 
to provide the quota of men required Ijy tlio State." This committee recora- 
incMidcd that in addition to tiic bounty offered by Congress " for good, able- 
bodied men, to serve in this unnatural and unjust war, the sum of twenty 
pounds be given as an encouragement to all non-commissioned officers and 
privates who should enlist for three 3'ears, or during the war." Oa May 2, 
1777, Maj. Jacob Davis, Caleb Ammidown and Jacob Blood represented the 
town in the General Court. In November of the same year a committee was 
chosen to provide for the families of soldiers. In January, 1778, the town 
paid into tiie treasury of the State £889 7s. bd. 

In 1778, Charlton, like other towns, opposed the legislature's forming a 
constitution for the State without further reference to the people. In Sep- 
tember, 1779, Samuel Lamb, Gen. Salcm Towuc and Jacob Davis were dele- 
gates to the convention held at Cambridge. Ou Aug. 23, 1780, the selectmen 
issued their first warrant for choice of State officers, and at the election the 
town cast fifty-seven votes for John Hancock for governor. In October, 1780, 
it was voted to raised £350 to procure beef for the army ; and in December 
following, £780 was appropriated for the same purpose ; also in January, 1781, 
fort}' dollars " hard money was offered to ever}' soldier who should enlist to 
serve during the war, to l)e paid before marching." 

The depreciation of the value of paper money was even greater during the 
Revolution than in the time of the last war as shown b}' the following town 
grants :— For support of schools in 1773, £30; in 1779, £200; and in 1780, 
£1,500. 

The religious interests of Charlton received early attention. The first 
thought of the inhabitants, after the incorporation of the town, was to establish 
a church and to support the "standing order." On April 9, 1755, it was voted 
to build a meeting-house at the centre of the district. Previous to this time 
there had l)een preaching in private dwellings, and timber had already been 
brought together. On Jan. 1, 1750, seven pounds were raised to support 
preaching. The building of a meeting-house was discu^std at many meetings 
called for the purpose, and, as difficulty arose in regard to locating the house, 
disinterested persons were sunmioned from neighbm-ing towns to select a site ; 
but the place chosen was not acceptcil, and the General Court was applied to to 
send connnissioners to decide the question. These commissioners " staked out 
a meeting-house place," a few rods west of the site of the present Universalist 
Church. Here the first house of worship was built, fifty b}- forty feet, on an 
acre of land given by Ebenezer Jlackintire. 

In July, 1759, the district voted "to give Jonathan Upham £26 13.s. 4(7., 
for setting up the frame of this building, and to provide victuals and drink for 
the raising of the same." The new house was completed between 1759 and 
1701, at a cost of £282 lO.s-. ^\(1. It contained twenty-four pews and also 



CHURCHES FORMED. 377 



galleries; and the men sat on one side of the church, and the women on the 
otiier. This house of worship was occupied till 1790, and in 1803 was sold 
by auction to C.ipt. Levi Davis for three hundred and fifty dollars, — one- 
half of which went to the pew-holders, and the other to the town, — and was 
removed from the common. On May 2(5, 17G1, Caleb Curtis was invited by 
(he town to become its minister, and offered as settlement, £133 Gs. 8(7., and 
f ()0 yearly salary. The church was formed on April 16, 17G1, "after solemn 
fasting and prayer, and a sermon by John Campbell of Oxford Church." Mr. 
Curtis was ordained on Oct. 15, 17G1, and remained till Oct. 29, 177G. 
Archibald Campbell, son of John Campbell, became pastor of this church on 
Jan. 8, 1783, and remained ten years. In May, 1784, Charlton adopted the 
"voluntary principle," with respect to affairs of the church ; and after that time 
church and town were separate and distinct. 

On Nov. 8, 1797, Erastus Larncd was ordained and served the church until 
Sept. 16, 1802. During the pastorate of Mr. Larned, a now house of worship 
was erected, and stood on the site of the present Universalist house. This 
vras occupied until 1825, when the society was divided ; and in 1828 the Uni- 
tarians and Universalists, having a majority in the proprietorship of. the house, 
bought off the minority, and formed a society called the "First Congregational 
Church and Society of Charlton." The old society assumed the name of the 
"Calvinistic Congregational Church and Society" ; and, until 1827, when the 
present edifice was built, held services in Craig's Hall. This house stands on 
the opposite side of the common, and on the day of its dedication, June 5, 
1827, John Wilder was installed as pastor, and remained till July 2, 1833. 
His immediate predecessor was Edward Whipple, from Jan. 25, 1804, to 
March, 1821 ; and his successors have been : William H. Whittemore, installed 
Aug. 21, 1833, dismissed August, 1835; Isaac R. Barbour, installed Nov. 23, 
1836, dismissed Aug. 8, 1839; George W. Underwood, ordained Feb. 12, 
1840, dismissed March 31, 1843. John Haven, the present pastor, graduated 
at Amherst College in 1834, in the class with Henry Ward Beecher, was 
ordained in York, INIe., Dec. 14, 1836, afterwards became pastor of a church 
in Stoneham, Mass., remaining ten years, and in March 1850, began his labors 
in Charlton. 

The Baptist faith had supporters in Charlton when the town was incor- 
porated. In 1857 the General Coml passed an "exemption law," by which 
persons of faith other than Congregational were relieved from contributing to 
its support by filing certificates with the assessors. Such certificates, as the 
records show, were deposited with the assessors by the Baptists of Charlton 
as early as 1759. On July 13, 1761, a church, composed of persons living 
in Spencer, Leicester and Charlton, was formed and for five years thereafter 
adopted the ceremony of the laying on of hands as a requisite for admission 
to communion. Nathaniel Green was the first pastor, and was ordained on 
Aug. 12, 1763, and remained until 1791. After his death there was no settled 



378 TOWN OF CHARLTON. 

pastor for twelve years, although during this term there was preaching liy 
Elders David Kathhone and Charles Thompson. The next settled minister was 
Elder James Boomer, who served the society from Aug. 10, 1808, to the time 
of his death on Feb. 24, 1836. Soon after this time the church ceased to 
exist. The last meeting of which there is any record, was held May 18, 
1837. Letters of dismission were granted to the members to unite with the 
church at Oxford, and with that at Southln-idgc. The Baptist society erected 
two houses of worship, the last about the year 1795 in North Charlton, or what 
is locally called "North Side." 

The Methodist church in Charlton had its origin in 1790, when meetings 
were held in the south-western part of the town. The society was organized 
iu 1792, at the house of Mr. Batchelder. This was the first organization of 
Methodism in Massachusetts. Circuit preachers served the society until 1810. 
Of the meetings after that time until 1829, if there were any, there is no 
record. In 1834, Charlton was included, with Southbridge and Dudley, in 
what was called the local preachers' circuit. From 1843 to 184(), the societies 
of Charlton and Dudley were " united in one charge." Until 1854 meetings 
were held regularly at Dresser Hill, Charlton Centre. In 1854 the church was 
established at Charlton City, William Olds being pastor, and, during the next 
year, the present house of worship was erected. 

Pastors : John Lovejoy, Ira M. Bidwell, Ilczekiah H. Davis, Stephen W. 
Hammond, Otis Perrin, Frederick P. Tracy, Joseph S. Ellis, Ralph W. Allen, 
Stephen Puffer, Samuel Beadle, Freeman Nutting, E. S. Newell, William 
Smith, Stephen Cushing, Horace Moulton, N. J. Merrill, William B. Olds, 
Rufus Futro, T. W. Gill, Benjamin Paine, S. L. Olmstead, David K. Merrill, 
W. Goodell, Daniel Pratt, James Wilson, Daniel Dorchester, Charles H. 
Hanaford, J. S. Thomas, John Noon, J. W. P. Jordan, A. M. Osgood, D. K. 
Banister, E. J. Moore, N. A. Soule, N. F. Stevens, J, J. Woodbury, S. H. 
Noon, Frederick 8. George, G. W. H. Clark, and Phiueas C. Sloper, the 
present pastor. 

In 1801, a society called the "Second Religious Society in Charlton," was 
organized by persons living in the southern part of Sturbridge, the western 
part of Dudley, and the south-western part of Charlton. A meeling-house 
was built in 1790. This parish was composed of persons of different faiths; 
but an agreement was entered into to the effect, that each denomination should 
have, at certain times, its own preachers. This arrangement continued sixteen 
years. The house of worship was sold to the Baptists, and afterwards the 
Congregational ists in this society organized and l)uilt a new church edifice. 
This parish was called "Honest Town," and, in 181G, was annexed to South- 
bridge. 

In 1828, as alreadj' given, a church and society was formed at the centre, 
called the " First Congregational Societ}'." Edward Turner was ordained pas- 
tor, and soon after, this Society was united with the present Uuiversalist Soci- 



PHYSICAL FEATURES. 379 

ety. Services were held at " North Side " until 1831, and it was then called the 
"First Union Society of Charlton." In 1851 it was named the "First Uiiivcr- 
salist Society." A now house of worship was erected in the centre of the 
town in 1839. Following are the names of pastors: Massena B. Ballou, 1827 
to 1831 ; Oilman Noycs, length of service unknown; Aurin Bugbec, 1839 to 
1850; M. C. Hawcs, 1851 to 1852; Lyman Maynard, 1853; Lucius Holmes, 
1858 to 1863; Edward Smiley, 1867 to 1874; Anson Titus, Jr., 1875 to 
1878. I. P. Qnimby, the present pastor, was installed in 1878. 



CHAPTER 11. 

PHYSICAL FEATURES — SCHOOLS AND VILLAGES — AGRICDLTUEE AND MECHAN- 
ICAL INDUSTRIES — THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 

The highest land between the seaboard on the east and the Connecticut River 
on the west, is found near the centre of Charlton town. The valleys, although 
sloping east and west, have a southern descent, and hence the waters on the 
east roach the French, and those on the west the Quinebaug River. 

At the time of the settlement of the town, the laud was considered inferior 
to that of Oxford. On this account, together with the fact that the land was 
in the possession of non-resident owners, who were not taxed, the inhabitants 
were heavily burdened, and settlement proceeded slowly. To remedy this, 
Caleb Ammidown, a representative to the General Court at the time, brought 
the matter to the attention of the legislature, and procured an act for the tax- 
ing of non-residents. This was not only a relief to the settlers of Charlton, 
but to the inhabitants of other towns where speculators had "made a monopoly 
of the lands" by procuring the original grant. The land-owners, unable to 
hold their lands free of taxation, and reap the benefits of improvements made 
by the pioneers, disposed of them at such prices as the resident owners were 
willing to pay. In some towns large tracts of lands were disposed of by 
public sale. 

Notwithstanding the apparent worthlessness of the laud at first, it proved to 
be of great strength of soil ; and by the zeal and energy of the pioneers, and 
the perseverance of their descendants it is now of rare beauty and excellence. 

The historian Whitney, in 1791, says : "This town was not in high repute at 
first, and was thought by some to be hardly worth settling upon, as it was very 
rough in its natural state and hard to subdue. But such land is almost always 
found to bo strong and to wear well. This being the case with Charlton, from 
small beginnings and an inconsiderable figure it has risen up in the space of 
thirty or forty years, to renown among the towns of the county. It is well 



38U TOAVN OF CHARLTON. 

and naturally adapted to orcharding of all kinds, vrell proportioned and agree- 
ably interspersed.' The latter statement is well established. No part of the 
county presents more varied scenery, more picturesquely disposed. A large 
part of the town is covered with growing wood, in some places so dense that 
it appears to have stood undisturbed for centuries. 

Mugget Hill, by some called Mashymugget, is the highest point of land 
between Boston and Springfield. From the summit of Ibis hill may be seen, 
under favorable conditions of the atmosphere, the church-spires of nineteen vil- 
lasjes, and the view extends to Greenwich, in Rhode Island, to Thompson, in 
Connecticut, and some distance into New Hampshire. On the western slope of 
this hill is the centre of the town, Charlton Centre, so called. Here is the 
town-house, the Congregational and Universalist church edifices, post-ofEce, 
school, public house, store and the old burying-ground, laid out soon after the 
incorpoiation of the town. The common is in the centre of this village ; and 
facing it, cast and west, and the highway that shirts it, are the buildings afore- 
said, and many i)rivatc dwellings. A short distance west of the Centre may 
be seen traces of the old "Bay Path." 

North-west of the Centre, one mile, is Charlton City, an irregularly built 
settlement on Cady's Brook. This is a postal village, and contains the house 
of worship of the Methodist society, and manufactories of different kinds. 
Extending northward from Charlton City is a reservoir containing one hundred 
and twenty acres, having its outlet in Cady's Brook. On this stream is a 
woolen mill established in 1878, and now operated by E. Ackers. Two sets 
of machinery and twenty operatives arc employed, and twelve thousand yards 
of fancy satinets and worsteds arc produced per month. Further west, on the 
same stream, is another woolen mill, owned by Andrus March, and operated 
by 'SI. Norris. This factory has two sets of machinery, employs twenty-eight 
workmen, and eleven thousand yards of satinets are produced per mouth. 
Charlton City has also two wire-mills, one near the centre and another in the 
southern part. Lumber-mills arc here as in other parts of the township, and 
the manufacture of boxes, laths, shingles, clapboards and staves occupies the 
atlention of many inhabitants. Two miles north of Charlton City is Charlton 
Depot, a thriving village, the growth of which is due to the opening of the 
Western, now the Boston and AHiauy Railroad, in 1838. This is a post-station, 
and the manufacture of boots and shoes is in progress; but the fact that it is 
the only railway centre in the town gives Charlton Depot its chief importance. 
Other and smaller villages are in dillcrent parts of the town. At Morscville, 
north of Cbarlton Centre, is the largest manufactory of liootsand shoes in the 
town. At Lelandville, Millward and Putnamville, all in the south-eastern part 
of the town, are box-factories and wheelwright establishments. 

Dresser Hill, on the south, before the advent of the railway, was the chief 
business centre of Charlton. Harvey Dresser, noted for his business capacity 
and enterprise, and called a "benefactor of his town," established at this place 




LAWUKXCE y£LTIXO COMl'AXv'.S JIU.L, JIILLVILLE, MA 



m;M 




Er.^iJs^ r^w^mnrm 




C. K. MOKSE ic COMl'ANVS HOOT AXU SHOE MA.NUFACTOUY, CUAKLETON, MAS 



SCHOOL HISTORY. 381 



mauufactories of furniture, vehicles and farming inaplements. His was the 
most extensive and the most varied of any manufixctory within a radius of 
thirty miles. At this time also, North Charlton, or "North Side," as it is 
called, had the only post-ofBce in the town, and with the exception of Dresser 
Hill, was the largest settlement in town ; being on the turnpike between Bos- 
ton and Hartford, and having a large publi'c house, now in use as a dwelling. 
It is related that Lafayette, on his Avay to Hartford, was entertained at this inn ; 
and near it is the field iu which he reviewed a body of cavalry sent to meet 
and escort him on his journey. At North Side is a small hill, or knoll, called 
Indian Hill, formerly an Indian burying-place. In the early history of the 
town there were at this place tanneries ; manufactories of hoes and scythes ; 
also a "-in-still, malt-house and brewery, besides pot and pearl ash works. In 
1837, Charlton contained a cotton-mill, in which large quantities of thread 
were made. Other industries have occupied the attention of the inhabitants, 
but have ceased to exist, or given place to different employments. Agricul- 
ture is now the leading pursuit, and Charlton farms and Ihcir products are not 
surpassed by any in the county. 

The history of schools is contemporary with that of the church, and of the 
town itself. In the first warrant for a district meeting there was an article 
"to make such grant of money as the district may think necessary, for the 
schooling of the children," and when it was acted upon, eight pounds, "lawful 
money," was voted, while less than seven pounds were granted for all other 
purposes. In December of the same year — 1755 — it was voted "that the 
schools bo kept iu two places in Charlton ; the one on the north side and the 
other on the south side of the district." It is supposed that by "South Side" 
is meant the present centre, and what was then called "North Side" is now 
known by the same name. On Feb. 7, 1757, the town voted to raise no money 
for schools, or for Gospel purposes ; but in July following a better spirit pre- 
vailed, and the sum of thirteen pounds six shillings and cightpence, was 
appropriated for the former. At the same meeting, also, the first school com- 
mittee was appointed, the members of which were : Ebenczer White, Ebenezer 
Hammond, John Stevens, Ebenezer Mackintiro and Lieutenant Nathaniel 
Blood. In the same year it was voted to have schools in three places. At 
first, schools were maintained only during the winter, but, in 1756, there was 
an article in the warrant, " To see if the district will allow some part of the 
money that was granted last year for the schools to be laid out in hiring a 
school dame this summer for the benefit of those that have families of small 
children among us." This, however, was decided in the negative, but soon 
after it was voted that "the school committee shall provide schooliug as each part 
shall choose," when, it is believed, the practice of having summer schools i)egan. 
For several years the schools were not kept in a house erected for the purpose, 
as it was voted in 1757 that "each part shall provide its own school-house." 
In 1760, six school-houses were built and six school districts were established. 



382 TOWN OF CHARLTON. 

aud in 1766 "it was voted to have eight school housen, and a committee was 
chosen to lay out the town into school wards aud fix bounds and the places for 
the school housen." For many years the town, as such, built no school-houses ; 
each district erected its own. The town is now divided into thirteen school 
districts, having a house and school in each, under the supervision of a com- 
mittee of three. The number of pupils is about three hundred, the school 
property is valued at seveu thousand dollars, and the school expenses for the 
year 1878 were three thousand two hundred and cight^'-five dollars. 

In the civil war Charlton furnished one hundred aud seveuty-five men — 
eighteen more than was deDiaudcd by the State. The first town meeting 
held to devise war measures was called ^lay 9, 1861, when ten thousand dol- 
lars was voted for war purposes; ten dollars a month to voluuteers, and one 
dollar a day for exercise in military drill ; also to the wife of each volunteer, 
or head of his family, one dollar and fifty cents a week ; to children under 
twelve years of age, fifty cents a week ; aud if a volunteer was killed while in 
service, it was voted to continue the aid to his famil}' while his company served. 
Arms and equipments not provided by the Stale, were furnished b^' the 
town. 

On the 2d of July, 1862, it was voted to give volimteers one hundred 
and ten dollars each, aud a committee was appointed to encourage eulittments. 
Aug. 21, 1862, one hundred and fifty dollars was offered to all who should 
enlist on the town's quota, and forty dollars additional to a,'\ who had entered 
the service ; also, the town appropriated, for war purposes, fifteen hundred 
dollars, making in all eleven thousand five hundred dollars. On the 14th 
of August, 1862, one hundred dollars was voted to voluuteers who should 
enter the service for nine months, aud on the 20th of the same mouth 
$4,000 was raised to pay volunteers. In the December following, two hun- 
dred and fifty dollars was voted to three years' volunteers, and the selectmen 
were authorized to hire men for the army. June 1, 1863, four thousand dol- 
lars was appropriated to pay soldiers. On June 15, 1864, one hundred aud 
twenty-five dollars was given to volunteers, and on August 23, of the same 
year, the same amount was voted to all who procured substitutes. Aug. 12, 
1865, the town voted to raise by taxation, money to reimburse all citizens who 
had aided in furnishing men for the United States service, aud the treasurer 
was empowered to borrow funds for the purpose ; the town also approjjriatcd 
five thousand four hundred dollars to that end. The total amount expended 
for war purposes was twenty-two thousand dollars ($22,000) ; for State aid, 
$11,746.68. 

The following are the names of deceased soldiers belonging to the town : 
Alvin B. Dagar, IMower Livingston, Lieut. Albert Woodbury, George W. 
Willard, Seymour Adams, John A. Young, Cornelius P. Davis, Frederick 
Young, Chauncy Harris, George Knight, Hartwell Newton, Juan Young, 
Michael B. Hayes, Ilezekiah E. Aldrich, Van O. McKiustry, George B. Gard- 



EMINENT MEN. 383 



ner, Elliot II. Robbiiis, Wilson D. Stone, Harry March, Elisha W. Buxton, 
Calvin J. Darling, Nelson Harris, Andrew Moore and Mausnr Gould. 

Charlton has been represented in the State senate by Gen. Salem Towne, 
Maj. John Spurr and Rufus B. Dodge. (Maj. Spurr was also a member of the 
Constitutional Convention of 1820 ; and his father, Gen. John Spurr, was one 
of the Boston Tea Party.) 

Following are the names of representatives to the General Court: Isaiah 
Blood, 1775; Jacob Davis, 1776; Jacob Davis and Caleb Ammidown, 1777; 
Caleb Ammidown, 1778; Jacob Davis, 1780; Elienezer Davis, 1782; Caleb 
Ammidown, 1783; Ebcnezcr Davis, 1784; Caleb Ammidown, 178G ; C.apt. 
Samuel Robinson and the Rev. Caleb Curtis, 1787; Samuel Robinson, 1788; 
Gen. Salem Towne, 1790 to 1793, inclusive ; Calel) Ammidown and Salem 
Towne, 1794 ; Salem Towne, 1795 ; Ebenczcr Davis, 1796 ; Salem Towne, 
1797 ; Ebcnezer Davis, 1798 ; Salem Towne, 1799 ; Levi Davis, 1800 ; Salem 
Towne, 1801 to 1804, inclusive ; Gen. John Spurr, 1805 ; Samuel Robinson 
and John Spurr, 1806, '07; John Spurr and James Walcott, 1808; John 
Spurr, Ephraim AVillard and Thaddeus Marble, 1809-11; Ephraira AVil- 
lard and William P. Rider, 1812; John Spurr and Isaiah Rider, 1813; 
John Spurr and William P. Rider, 1814 ; John Spurr and Isaiah Rider, 1815 ; 
Ephraim Willard and Isaiah Rider, 1816 to 1819, inclusive; John Spurr and 
Isaiah Rider, 1820; Samuel Hall, 1821, '22; Elder James Boomer, 1823; 
John Spurr, 1824; James Boomer, 1826; Samuel D. Spurr, 1828, '20; John 
Hill, Jr., and Issachar Comings, 1830 ; Issachar Comings and Ebenezer White, 
1831 ; Ebenezer White and Rufus Mixer, 1832; Rufus Mixer and Paul Rich, 
1833 ; Paul Rich and Jonas Tucker, 1834 ; Jonas Tucker, and William P. Wil- 
lard, 1835 ; William P. Willard and Amasa Stone, 1836 ; Rufus Mixer and 
Amasa Stone, 1837 ; Ebenezer White, Moses Willard and Aaron Willard, 
1838 ; Aaron Marble, xVlpheus White and Simeon Lamb, 1839 ; John P. Mar- 
ble, 1840, '41; William B. Boomer, 1842, '43; William Marble, 1844, '45; 
Levi Hammond, 1846 ; Simeou Lamb, 1847 ; Nehemiah B Stone, 1848, '49 ; 
Luther LitchBeld, 1850, '51 ; Levi Hammond, 1852, '53 ; Alfred Mower, 1854 ; 
Mason Marble, 1855, '56 ; Aanm II. Marble, 1857 ; Henry Clark, 1863 ; Albert 

C. Willard, 1865 ; Joseph H. Hathaway, 1867 ; Alfred E. Fiske, 1870 ; Moses 

D. Woodbury, 1872 ; Andrns March, 1875 ; George D. Woodbury, 1878. 
Rev. Martin Ruter, D. D., widely known in his day as an author and minis- 
ter, was born in Charlton, April 3, 1785. 

William T. G. Morton, M. D., discoverer of the use of ether as an auijes- 
thetic in surgical operations, was born in Charlton, Aug. 9, 1819, and died in 
New York, July 15, 1868. 

Gen. Salem Towne was born in Charlton, March 26, 1780. His father, 
Salem Towne, was the second major-general in the Massachusetts militia after 
the Revolution, and was a meml)er of the State Senate and Executive Council. 
Gen. Towne, like his father before him, held many subordinate offices in the 



384 TOWN OF CHAELTON. 

militia. la 1814, when the State troops were ordered out by Gov. Stroug, 
Gen. Towno commanded a regiment in South Boston, and while there was 
commissioned hrigadicr-general. In 1817, ho was elected major-general of 
the seventh division of the State militia. lie was elected to the State Senate 
in the years 1821, 1822 and 1856. Gen. Towne was highly esteemed, at home 
and abroad, for his great kindness of heart, and for his integrity and worth. 
He died on February 17, 1872. 

,S/rt^/A'<«cs. — Population, 17G5, 739 ; 1776, 1,310 ; 1770, 1,965 ; 1830, 2,173 
1860, 2,047; 1870, 1,878; 1875, 1,852; families, 460 ; polls, 567 ; voters, 470 
dwellino-s, 423 ; farms, 250 ; acres cultivated, 5,693 ; acreage of farms, 23,379 
horses 311; cows, 846; sheep, 72; value of farm property, $998,146; value 
of agricultural products, $225,404 ; capital invested in manufactures, $40,800 ; 
value of products of manufactures, $158,150 ; persons euiplo^'cd in manufac- 
tures, 203; total value of products, $383,554; value of personal estate, $264,- 
140; value of real estate, $746,610; total valuation, $1,010,750 ; rate of tax- 
ation in 1878, $10.50 per $1,000. 



FIRST BEGINNINGS. 38.' 



CLINTON. 



BY JOHN T. DAME, ESQ. 



CHAPTER I. 

FIRST BEGINNINGS — LOCATION SURFACE FEATURES — WATER POWER MANU- 
FACTURES INCORPORATION — FIRST POST-OFFICE SCHOOL-HOUSES AND PUB- 
LIC PROPEItTY TOAVN HALL FINANCIAL CONDITION. 

The origin of Clinton properly dates from the introduction of manufacturing 
by machinery invented by Mr. Erastus B. Bigelow, into the southerly part of 
Lancaster, about the year 1838. Incidents relating to this portion of Lancaster, 
transpiring subsequent to this event and previous to the town organization, are 
intimately associated with the history of Clinton, and will receive a brief notice 
here. Events occurring at an earlier date, which really belong to Lancaster and 
make part of its history, had very little connection with the origin and growth 
of the present town, and will not be farther considered at this time. 

The town of Clinton was incorporated March 14, 1850, and completed its 
town organization the l'^t of April following. It took its name from its village 
designation of Clintonville, omitting the "ville" as an incongruity for the name 
of a town. This appellation was derived from its first corporation, "The Clin- 
ton Company." 

Clintim is situated twelve miles north-cast from Worcester by air-line distance, 
sixteen miles by rail, and west from Boston thirty-three miles by air-line and 
forty-five miles by rail. Its latitude, by observations of Mr. J. C. Hoadley in 
1848, is 42° 25' north, and its longitude is 71° 41' west. It is bounded on the 
uorlh and north- west by Lancaster, on the east by Bolton and Berlin, on the 
south by Bo3lston, and on the west by Sterling. It has au area of seven and 
two-third-f square miles, or 4,907 acres, and is of an irregular form, because 
its north and north-west line was drawn to accommodate the preferences of 
inhabitants who desired to remain in the old town. 

Its surface is diversified and broken. The Nashua River flows through it for 
a distance of nearly five miles, circuitously from south to north. The banks 



380 TOWN OF CLINTON. 



of the river for about half a mile after crossiiiix flic town line at the south, are 
low, and the laiul, plain and meadow. They then rise abruptly from near the 
water's edge to a considerahlc height, leaving a narrow river valley between.. 
The elevation on the cast side of the river rises gradually from the river to the 
height of about two hundred and twenty-five feet, where it is called Wilson 
Hill. From thence the high land recedes .slightly and continues through the 
town. On the west side the elevation is about two miles in length, when it 
disappears, and plain and meadow border the river to the town line. The high 
laud in the south-easterly part of the town falls away into an uneven surface 
and forms Clamshell Pond, a natural sheet of water of about thirty acres, 
whose waters pass into Assabet River. The high land on the west side of the 
Nashua has a depression near the north part of it, the west side of which bears 
the name of Burditt Hill, and the east, of Harris Ilill. The former is the 
higher, and has an elevation, at its highest jioint, of about two hundred feet. 
A curious formation of sand hills and deep valleys is found in the south- western 
part of the town. Among them is Sandy Pond, a natural sheet of very pure 
water of about fifty acres. It is fed by springs, and portions of it are of great 
depth. In a southerly direction from Sandy Pond, in nearly a line with it, and 
within a distance of half a mile, are four minute ponds, each surrounded by 
hills and having no ajjparent connection with each other. Beyond, and south 
of this sand-hill formation, is King's Brook, a stream of some magnitude in the 
spring, which rises iu high land in the south-eastern part of Sterling, and flows 
south-easterly into the Nashua. This, until recently, has furnished power for 
a turning and lumber mill. North of this sand-hill formation and Burditt Hill, 
is South Meadow Brook, a considerable stream, which also rises iu the eastern 
part of Sterling, and flows north-east in Clinton for a distance of about two 
and a half miles into the Nashua River. 

North of this brook this sand-hill and valley formation again appears, and 
extends to the Lancaster line. Adjoining the brook on the north side, and 
connected with it by a natural outlet, is Mossy Pond, a natural body of shallow 
water of about thirty acres extent, and also fed by springs. The Nashua River, 
iu its course through the town, falls a distance of about thirty feet. It fur- 
nishes the extensive water-power of the Lancaster IMills and of Harris's Comb 
Works, and has a fall of about six feet lower down the stream, whith has not 
yet been improved. South Meadow Brook, in its passage through the town, 
makes a fall almost as great as that of the river. 

The dam of the Bigelow Carpet Company sets back the waters of this brook 
into Mossy and Sandy i)ouds, and with them forms the reservoir of that com- 
pany of about two hundred and thirty-six acres in extent. Below the dam and 
lower down the stream is the yarn-mill of Messrs. Frost & Howard, and still 
farther down, the site where stood, until 187G, the braiil works of Boyce 
Brothers. This stream was undoubtedl}' the first one, in point of time, iu the 
comity of Worcester, ap|n-opiiated to mill purposes. John Prescott, the fir.st 



OPENING OF BUSINESS. 387 



settler and mill-owner in Laucastcr, built his first mill about the year 16G5 near 
the present location of the yarn-mill of Messrs. Frost & Ilowiird ; and Lau- 
castcr is the oldest town in the county. Another stream, called Cioodrich Hill 
Brook, the outlet of the Four Ponds in Lancaster, runs for a short distance in 
the north-western part of the town, and supplies the extensive lumber works 
of Mr. E. S. Fuller. 

The taxable lands within the limits of the town are estimated at three thousand 
seven hundred and seventy-three acres, and the remaining portion of its four 
thousand nine hundred and seven acres, one thousand one hundred and thirty- 
four acres, is regarded as not taxable. Of the latter quantity, three hundred acres 
are supimsed to be covered bynvater, two-thirds of the remainder are estimated as 
occupied by railroads, highways, public buildings and grounds, and the remain- 
ing third is considered waste land. The Common, churches, most of the pub- 
lic buildings, aud many of the finest private residences in town, are located 
upon the western slope and summit of Harris Hill, and most of the remaining 
residences are situated upon the top and bides of Burditt and Wilson hills, and 
iu the valleys about the several manufacturing establishments. 

The business before mentioned to which Clinton owes its birth, past aud 
present prosperity, aud future expectations, was begun in a small way, at first, 
in the old mills of the Lancaster Cotton Manufacturing Company, erected many 
years before. The inventions of Mr. Bigelow were novel, the machinery 
employed was new aud untested, and l)usiuess for a time made slow progress ; 
but at length the woudcrfid achievements of the coach-lace and quilt looms 
were developed, and a successful result of the enterprise was established. 

The business was then extended to the utmost capacity of the old mills, and 
the quilt-miil was enlarged ; but the mills were still small, aud this portion of 
the town of Lancaster exhibited but a slight appearance of growth. The vil- 
lage was, up to this time, confined to its original limits, and did not extend 
beyond Main aud Water streets, a small settlement about the Pitts Mill, where 
the Lancaster Mills uow stand, and a few fixrm-houses on the old Bolton and 
Worcester road, on the cast side of the river. The success of this enterprise 
only led Mr. Bigelow to undertake greater ones, and the project of the Lan- 
caster Mills was devised in 1843, and the details arranged. 

In the winter of 1843-4, a charter was obtained, a corporation organized, 
the mill and mill-property of the Messrs. Pitts aud other adjoining lands were 
purchased. The original buildings of the Lancaster Mills, the dam aud other 
structures were erected according to the designs of Mr. Bigeluw, and filled 
with machinery selected and arranged by him, aud the works were put in 
operation. Dwelling and boarding houses, aud other convenient structures 
for the comfort aud convenience of the extensive community required for the 
management of a first-class mill, were at the same time prt)vided. 

Individual enterprise kept pace with that of the corporation iu the construc- 
tion of stores and other places of business for the supply of the wauts of the 



388 TOWN OF CLINTON. 



expected operatives, and the requisite dwellings for the usual population of 
such a settlement, not directly connected with the mills. 

The impulses created by these various operations set ever\"thinLr in motion 
in this section of the town ; new streets and avenues were laid out, and build- 
ings erected. The iil.in of the town was at this time arranged, the i)rincipul 
streets and common laid out, and the village assumed very much the appear- 
ance which it now exhibits. The Clinton Company's works were also exten- 
sively enlarged, and this portion of the town was estimated to contain a 
]iopulation of about three thousand people, instead of two hundred or three 
hundred, which would probably comprise its inhabitants in 1838. 

This section of the town at this time, anticipating its remarkable growth, 
assumed the appellation of Clintonville, and obtained a post-office, which it 
called by the same name. The inhabitants of Clintonville, in the fall of 1849, 
had begun to feci the connection with Lancaster for municipal purposes a great 
inconvenience, and the people of the other sections of the town, not appre- 
ciating the numerous wants of this growing community, sometimes opposed 
tiieir gratification, and a separation was demanded. This demand at first met 
with a storm of opposition from the other sections of Lancaster, but Clinton- 
ville, regarding separation as vital and to be secured at all hazards, decided to 
try negotiation before making application to tlie General Court as a matter of 
right. An offer (jf $10,000 and a relinquishment of all claims to town 
property in Lancaster was according!}' proposed by Clintonville, and accepted 
by Lancaster. This arrangement was adopted by vote of the town, sanctioned 
by the General Court, and an act for the incorporation of the town of Clinton 
followed without objection. 

This transaction was open and straightforward on the part of Clinton, and 
the pecuniary consideration was proposed to remunerate Lancaster for equita- 
ble claims, on account of roads, bridges and paupers, presented b}' it. It 
burdened Clinton with a heavy debt, which has ever since rested upon it, 
and it is by no means certain that the object sought might not have been 
granted at once by the General Court without any consideration or pecuniar}' 
compensation. If this request had not been immediately granted, it must 
inevitably have been obtained as a right after a short delay. While Lancaster 
parted with nothing of value to itself, except, possibly, the advantage from a 
portion of the taxes assessed upon the inhabitants of Clintonville, and their 
aid in the payment of the debt of Lancaster, it received directly the large sum 
of money offered, and property which exceeded in value the town indel)ted- 
ness. 

The only public property received by Clinton on its incorporation was five 
school-houses, plainly and cheaply constructed, with accommodations for one 
school each. These houses were the propert}' of school districts, numbers 10 
and 11, in Lancaster, and were incumbered with a debt of $3,900, very nearly 
if not more than their full value. The census of 1850 credits the new town 



FINANCIAL SITUATION. 389 



with a populiiliou of 3,115, and tho books of its assessors for that year with a 
taxable properly of §U09,148. This exhibit of tho private fiuaucial couclitioii 
of Clinton gives it a ftivorablc position among its sister towns ; but, in its 
corporate capacity, it was almost literally destitute of any facilities for the dis- 
charge of its i)ublic duties. It had no cemetery for the interment of its dead ; 
it was destitute of apparatus for protection against iire ; its poor could only be 
farmed out for support to whomsoever would take Ihem. Its elections and 
other public meetings needed a public hall for their accommodation. Its high 
school was taught in a leased building, its other schools were crowded, and 
it already had a debt of $14,000. 

These numerous wants could not all be provided for at t)uce, and a selection 
of the most jn-essing became necessary. A cemetery and the commencement 
of a system of fire protection received the (ir.st attention. A beautiful spot, of 
about ten acres, in a central and retired situation, was selected for a cemetery. 
It was properly laid out and arranged, has been well cared for to the present 
time, and is now an inviting place where all can go with satisfaction. The 
system of fire protection expanded into a regular fire department, which will 
bo more particularly noticed elsewhere. A commodious and well-equipped 
almshouse, with a small farm of ten acres, in which are am[)le accommodations 
for all whoso necessities compel them to ask for public relief, was soon pro- 
vided. 

The calls upon the town for suitable buildings for the public sehools, con- 
siderable at first and renewed almost annually, have always received a generous 
response, and the town now enjoys well-appointed accommodations, generally 
of a substantial character, for twenty-two diflerent schools, and soon to be 
increased by four more rooms now in process of construction. The last press- 
ing want to be supplied was the public hall and convenient ofiices for the 
agents of the town. This want was one of the first felt, but the last relieved. 
It was endured, not always with patience, till 1872, when it was amply relieved 
by the spacious town hall erected that year. These early and expensive wants 
prevented the payment of any portion of the large debt, the original heritage 
of Clinton, except the accruing interest, until 1861, the time of the breaking 
out of the war of the Rebellion. 

The calls upon the public treasury during the war were so sudden, frequent 
and extensive, that they could not be met as they arose, and an increase of the 
town debt was tho only alternative in the emergency. Loans were accordingly 
contracted, while tho war lasted, to the amount of $21,000, and the debt of tho 
town, on the return of peace, was $35,000. This happy event was followed by 
a season of unusual prosperity and growth; but, while individual accumula- 
tions were everywhere so prevalent, the demands upon the treasury to supply 
the increasing public wants were still greater, and outstanding liabilities 
remained as before. 

The necessity of a hall for public gatherings increased with the growth of 



390 TOWN OF CLINTON. 



Clintou, and the town hall was built on credit, increasing the town debt to 
$146,000. At the same time, however, a series of funding resolutions was 
adopted, providing for the issue of town bonds to the amount of $125,000, .at 
six per cent, interest, i)aval)lc in twenty years, and $6, .500 was to be paid 
annually. The numbers of the bonds to be paid were to be drawn by lot, and 
no new debt was to be contracted until these bonds were paid. The pledge as 
to increased indebtedness h.as thus far beeu kept, and Clinton's liabilities in 
1879 stand at $106,000, a little less than the cost of its town hall in 1872, and 
less than three per cent, of its vahmfion. The tax rate of the town, in conse- 
quence of its frequent and large improvements, has always been high, which is 
the pen.alty every where paid for thrift and growth, but such rate, it is believed, 
does not compare unfavorably with other towns similarly situated in this 
respect. 

The increase of the town in ])opulation since 1850, as shown by the census, 
is as follows: in 1860. 3,85!); in 1865, 4,021; in 1870, 5,430; in 1875, 
6,781 ; or 3,666 gain in twenty-live years, and 117 per cent, of the number in 
1850. The number of voters in the town, at the several times when enumera- 
tions have been made, is as follows : in 1850 the aggregate gubernatorial vote 
was 297; in 1855 the uumlier, by census, was 467; in 1865, 518 ; in 1875, 
1,151. 

The growth of the town since 1875 can only be estimated ; the means of 
comparison that we have show a considerable increase, and the population of 
the town in 1879 must be very nearly if not quite 7,500. The increase of the 
valuation of the town since its first assessment is much more tiian that of its 
population, and is as follows: in 1860, $1,676,064; in 1865, $2,017,299; in 
1870, $3,021,080.13; and in 1875, $4,548,192. There has been a consider- 
able increase of property since 1875, but the valuation of that year and 1870 
was in irredeemable war-currency, and the subsequent appreciation of tiic cur- 
rency and depreciation of values would require some abatement from these last 
fiirures, and the valuation of 1879, on a gold basis, is about $4,000,000. 

The first inhabitants coming to this territory under the changed condition of 
affairs were generally young men, or persons whose previous business had not 
been a success, and they possessed limited capital. A large proportion of the 
real estate of the town, consequently, had been procured on credit, and indi- 
vidual indebtedness was the rule, and that to a considerable amount. For a 
number of years a large proportion of the profits of business was absorbed by 
this indebtedness. It was, however, in process of time, to a large extent 
removed, and, by the commencement of the war, the business men of Clinton, 
including overseers and mill operatives, had generally discharged their liabili- 
ties, and were in a comfortable pecuniary condition. 




TOWX HALL, CLINTON, MASS. 



SPIRIT OF THE WAR. 391 



CHAPTER II. 

EFFECTS OF THE REBELLION AXD WAR RESPONSES TO THE CALL STATE OF 

BUSINESS AFTER THE PEACE DISASTER — BREAKING OF A RESERVOIR 

EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES BIGELOW MECHANICS' INSTITUTE TOWN LIBRARY. 

The breaking out of the war put u check to nil now enterprises, and retlnccd 
the works in operation to the point of simple existence, and, for the first year 
and a half of the war, the business of the town was carried on simply to 
preserve property, retain the help, and obtain the means to live. As the war 
went on, diminished production and scarcity of the raw material created a 
demand for manufactured goods, and before its close there was ample business, 
at remunerative prices, for all whom the increasing calls of the army permitted 
to remain at home. 

The patriot feeling at Clinton, as elsewhere at the North, possessed all hearts, 
and life and purse were freely offered on the altar of their country. At an 
impromptu citizens' meeting, in April, 18G1, holdeu to provide material aid 
for the military company of the town, then expecting an immediate call to the 
field, the sum of $2,000 was raised in a short time, and placed in the hands of 
a committee of citizens for its benefit and that of other soldiers who might 
follow it. Public appropriations and private subscriptions were freely and 
liberally made throughont the war. The sons of Clinton were not less ready 
to offer their persons and lives for the defence of their country. Three hundred 
and six were enrolled on the lists of the army and navy during the War of the 
Rebellion. Of these, fifiy-eight are known to have offered up their lives in 
the service of their country, and how many more have since fallen from the 
effects of wounds or disease contracted in the service is not known, but the 
roll, doubtless, is a considerable one. 

Of the sons of Clinton deemed worlhy of an official position, one was 
appointed colonel, three became captains, and thirteen were made lieutenants. 
Clinton furnished nineteen more soldiers than her allotted quota. The town 
paid $11,319 in bounties to ninety-nine men, and received back $3,000 for 
that sum voluntarily paid to thirty men supposed to be furnished more than the 
quota of the town. The State subsequently revised this quota, and charged 
the town with eleven more men, which it provided. 

The close of the war was followed by ten years of remarkable business 
prosperity ; labor and materials of all descriptions were in steady demand, values 
increased, and lauded property soon felt the impulse. In the course of this 
term, lal)or and materials advanced a large per cent., and land in many locations 
commanded a price several fold greater than at its commencement. This term 
of great prosperity received a check in 1875, when the financial troubles, which 
for two years had prevailed in other parts of the country, began to be felt in 



392 TOWN OF CLINTON. 



Clinton. All plans for new enterprises and the extension of established 
business were abandoned, and labor, not required by works in operation, was 
thrown out of employment. Established business sympathized with this check, 
and a general fall in prices followed. 

The tendency of prices for labor and materials has generally been downward 
since the year 1875. The market for unskilled labor has been overstocked 
and that labor poorly paid, and more or less suffering among this class of 
persons has existed. Profits in Clinton have, on the whole, been small during 
that time, and few persons have made any accumulations ; but hard times have 
been less severely felt here than in most towns with similar industries, and 
business operations, with a few exceptional cases, have been uninterrupted. 

In March, 1876, a serious disaster occurred in the town, causing the loss of 
many thousand of dollars' worth of property, and the destruction of several 
successful manufacturing establishments, depriving thereby a considerable 
number of laborers of profitable employment. This disaster arose from the 
sudden washing away of an earth embankment on the northerly side of Mossy 
Pond, which held the waters of the extensive reservoir of the Bigelow Carpet 
Company. This reservoir, crossed near its centre by the track of the Worcester 
and Nashua Railroad, had been swollen by a severe storm of snow followed by 
a very heavy rain, to an extent never before known. Sunday, March 2G, the 
waters unperceivcd began to make their way over this embankment, which 
was about forty feet in length and ten feet in height. 

The body of the embankment and the land adjoining, below (he loam, was 
a mass of sand, and, immediately after a passage was made, a wide and deep 
clianncl was cut and an immense volume of water flowed out, sweeping every- 
thing before it. It first struck an embankment of the Boston, Clinton and 
Fitchburg Railroad some forty feet in height. This held the vast flood for a 
few moments but it soon forced its way through, making a channel one hundred 
feet in width. It then swept through the extensive tannery works of Messrs. 
Bryant & King, crushed the buildings, covered the yards and vats, to a 
depth of several feet, with sand and mud, cut through Sterling Street and 
spread itself over the extensive meadows below, carrying along with it two 
dwelling-houses and partially undermining several others. The embankment 
of the Worcester and Nashua Railroad restrained Iho flood for a short time, 
but it soon m.adc its way through this, and, sweeping on, carried completely 
away the comb-shops of Mr. Charles Frazer, and the braid-mills of Bo^ce & 
Brothers. The torrent of raging water then precipitated itself upon the wide 
meadows of Mr. E. A. Currier, which it covered with sand, mud and the 
debris of buildings. A wide and deep stream continued to flow until it had 
completely drained the carpet mill reservoir, except suth of the waters of 
.*^ai)(ly Pond as were below the connecting channel The IMossy Pond embank- 
ment has been replaced b}' a substantial cement dam, capable, it is believed, 
of sustaining any conceivable action of the water upon it, and the reservoir 



SCHOOL SYSTEM, 393 



has been restored. The Carpet Company has been compelled (o expend luipre 
sums of money in the restoration of their reservoir, and was deprived of the 
use of its water-power for an entire season. The railwaj' embankments have 
been repaired without other damages than the cost of such repairs. 

The tannery to a very limited extent has been replaced, and business 
resumed there in a small way by other parties, but the extensive and pros- 
perous works of Messrs. Bryant & King arc gone fiom the town, not probably 
to be restored. The coml) and braid works were entirel}' ruined, and no one 
as yet has attempted to rebuild Uicin or make any use of the power where tiiey 
stood. 

The educational facilities of the section of Lancaster now comprising the 
town of Clinton, at the time this history commenced, consisted of two small 
ungraded country schools in two school districts. These schools and districts 
remained substantially unchanged till 1844. Subsequently two additional 
schools were establi^lled. A system of rules and regulations was adopted in 
1847, dividing the schools in Clintonville into three grades, and establishing 
the qualifications for each. The control of these schools was, by this system, 
placed in the hands of a board of overseers, and admission to them was 
prohibited without the permission of this board. These grades, designated 
as first, second and third, corresponded to the primary, grammar and high 
school course of later times. The statistics of 1847 show a total of two 
hundred and seventy scholars in five schools then existing, and to these two 
more schools were added previous to 1853, and the same system was continued 
to that time. 

The second and third schools were located in separate houses, and each 
taught by a male teacher. A new house for the two higher grades, arranged 
for four rooms, was erected in 1853, and they were united and placed together 
under the charge of a master and two female assistants. When this change 
was made the united school was called the grammar school. The other schools 
were named primary schools, and the terms first, second and third schools were 
discontinued. The system of school regulations, established by Clintonville, 
was adopted by the town after its incorporation, the town school committee 
having been substituted for the board of overseers. The grammar school was 
divided into three departments according to attainments, and the first depart- 
ment, though the school was called a grammar school, was expected to furnish 
a more complete course of education than was provided before tiie change. 
Scholars from all sections of the town were admissible to the grammar school, 
and those from particular localities were assigned to the primary schools in the 
section in which they resided. 

This system of schools has been changed by making the highest department 
of the grammar school a high school, and two grades of grammar schools 
have since been added. The course of the primary schools has been advanced 
and most of them divided into two divisions, the higher division corresponding 



394 TOWN OF CLIXTON. 



very nearly to that of the secondary or intermediate schools of cities aud 
towns which have such schools. Those primary schools which are not thus 
divided perform the work of both the primary and secondary, and the lower 
division that of the ordinary primary schools. 

The numlier aud styles of the several schools of Clinton are as follows : 
High school, with master and female assistant ; one grammar school, ninth 
grade, one teacher ; two grammar schools, eighth grade, one teacher each ; 
two grammar schools, seventh grade, one teacher each ; three grammar schools, 
sixth grade, one teacher each ; six upper primary schools, fifth and fourth 
grades, one teacher each; eight lower primary schools, third, second and first 
grades, one teacher each ; one school, both classes primary, fifth, fourth, third, 
second and first giades, one teacher. Special teachers in each fif the branches 
of music and drawing have been employed for a portion of the time for several 
years in the public schools of Clinton. All grammar-school studies have been 
removed from the high school, and the classical and scientific course of three 
years provided as in ordintiry high schools. The various grammar grades 
pursue the studies assigned to those grades in other schools of similar character 
in the Commonwealth. 

The number of children in the town between the ages of five and fifteen, 
the legal school age, at different periods from 1850 to 1879, is shown by the 
following figures: in 1850 there were 429; in 1860, G75 ; in 18G5, 897 ; in 
1870, 1,009; in 1875, 1,448; in 1879, 1,579. The average number of 
members of all the schools for the year ending March, 1851, was 379 ; for the 
year ending March, 18G1, was 576; for the year ending March, 1871, was 
896 ; for the year ending March, 1876, was 1,199 ; for the year ending March, 
1879, was 1,339. 

The masters of the Clinton high school have been : Messrs. G. N. Bigelow, 

C. W. Walker, J. S. Phillips, H. S. Noursc, F. A. Fiske, Miss E. S. Owen, 

D. I. Jocelyn, M. C. Stcbbius, J. H. Hunt, and A. E. Ford. 

Evening schools were commenced in the winter of 1877-8 for youth of both 
sexes over fifteen 3'ears of age. They were continued for twelve weeks with 
three sessions per week. The attendance was voluntary, and those who were 
present regularly made good progress in the elementary branches which only 
were taught. These schools were continued through the fall aud winter of 
1878-9, with a smaller number of pupils in the aggregate, but a greater 
regularity of attendance. The sessions were held twice a week, and the residt 
of the schools was satisfactory to those in whose charge the}' were. 

The policy of the gentlemen having charge of the public schools of Clinton 
has alwajs been to procure the best available teachers, to compensate thi-rn 
liberally for efficient service, and, when assured of their efficiency, to retain 
them as long as they were willing to remain. These schools have usually 
enjoyed the advantage of experienced teachers, who have rarely left to engage 
in teaching elsewhere. The public schools have uniformly been regarded with 



LIBRARY ENTERPRISE. 395 

high favor by all the citizens of Clinton. Appropriations, almost without 
exception, asked for by (he guardians of the schools, have been cheerfully and 
readily voted. The education of the children of the town, whether wealthy or 
otherwise, has been ver}- generally acquired at the public schools, and very 
few persons have gone abroad for instruction before having availed themselves 
of the opportunities furnished at home. One or more private schools, with a 
limited number of pupils, have usually been maintained in town. 

The statutes of the Commonwealth require the attendance of all children 
between the ages of eight and fourteen years upon the public schools for a term 
of at least twenty weeks in each year. A heavy penaltj' is imposed upon those 
neglecting this duty. Clinton early adopted all the requisite proceedings for 
the enforcement of these laws. The agents of the various mills in town have 
always fully and cheerfully co-operated with the school committee in the 
performance of this duty, and the rights of all its children arc secured to them 
so far as a faithful execution of these laws will permit. 

The Bigelow Mechanics' Institute was established in 1846, and was designed, 
according to its preamble, "to promote improvement in literature, science and 
the mechanic arts." It was a voluntary association, and relied upon subscrip- 
tions aud donations to procure the requisite funds for the accomplishment of 
its purposes. Its means of public improvement were a rcadiug-room, library, 
lectures and discussions. Its reading-room was furnished with the leading 
news]Kipers, periodicals and magazines, and was open to the public during all 
business hours of secular days. Its library was collected and sustained by 
donations and subscriptions not required for expenses and the support of its 
reading-room. It consequently commenced in a small way, and increased 
moderately. It was open on one evening in the week for the delivery and 
exchange of books. Weekly meetings of the association were held for business 
aud discussion. The Institute soon attained a respectable membership; its 
reading-room was well patronized, its lectures and discussions were fully 
attended. It continued in a prosperous condition for several years, when the 
patronage of its reading-room declined, the means for the replenishment of the 
library became less, and the association was merged in the Bigelow Library 
Association, which took its eflccts and assumed the office of furnishing reading 
matter for the public. 

This association was organized as a joint-stock company in 1853, and its 
possessions were the individual properly of the stockholders. Its purjiose was 
to provide a library sufficiently extensive to meet the intellectual wants of the 
growing town, and erect a building which should contain the requisite rooms 
for the use of the library, and others for rent. The income from the latter, it 
was expected, would not only be a remuneration for the use of the money 
expended, but would gradually repay it. The liberal gift of $1,000 from Mr. 
E. B. Bigelow, aud generous donations from other parties,, and stock subscrip- 
tions at the outset, gave it an auspicious commencement, aud it continued to 



39G TOWN OF CLINTON. 



prosper, increasing its number of books and its means of usefulness. In the 
early days of its history it also provided for the winter seasons courses of 
lectures of the best available talent. 

In 1873, suitable accommodations for a town library having been prepared 
in the town hall, this valuable collection of 4,400 volumes was donated to the 
town, as the nucleus of a free public library. "When this had been done, the 
principal purpose of its organization having been accomplished, it disposed of 
its other efi'ccts, divided the proceeds among its ^tl)ckholdcrs, and the corpora- 
lion was dissolved'. The new library' was styled "The IJigclow Free Public 
Library," still retaining the name of its constant friend and generous bene- 
factor, ilr. E. B. Bigelow. The donation of the old association came to it, 
coupled with the reasonable conditions that the library should remain free, 
under suitable regulations ; that it should l)e properly cared for, and that a 
sum of not less than five bundled dollars should be annually expended in its 
enlargement. This library is under the control of a board of six trustees, two 
of which are chosen annually by the town, for a term of three years. The 
privileges of this lilirary are open to every inhabitant of the town above the 
age of fourteen ^ears who complies with th(! regulations of the trustees. 

The library-room is a semi-circular aimex to the main hall of 49 feet 8 
inches diameter, exterior dimensions, 24 feet 10 inches radius, and of the same 
height as the first story of the principal building. It is well lighted by a line 
of largo windows encircling it, and placed near the ceiling. It has a spacious 
entrance-hall, reading-room, and librarian's room, which are located in the 
main building adjoining the library. The library, reading-room, entrance-hall 
and librarian's room are beautifully finished in ash. The reading and librarian's 
rooms arc provided with neat and appropriate furniture. The public acts of 
the citizens of the town thus far show a full appreciation of the great i)ublic 
benefit of this library. The annual town appropriations for its increase have 
hitherto averaged $1,190, instead of $.500, the required amount. The number 
of volumes added to the library since it became free is 4,000, and it now 
contains 8,400 volumes of choice and valual)le reading matter. The number 
of names registered of [)ersons taking books from the library the first year was 
1,024, and the nnml)er in March, 1879, is 2,393. The number of volumes 
taken from it during the year ending the same March was 31,77G. 

Temporary associations for providing public lectures were occasionally 
formed after the relinquishment of this duty by the Bigelow Library Associa- 
tion. Since the completion of the town hall an organization styled the Clinton 
Lyceum Association was formed, which has supplied the demands of the people 
up to the present time. 



LOCAL PRESS. 397 



CHAPTER III. 

NEWSPAPER ENTEKPRISE CHURCH FOUXDED OTHER DEXOMINATIONS FIRE 

DEPARTMEXT DISTRICT COURT SOCIETIES AXD ASSOCIATIONS THE COM- 
MON soldiers' MONUMENT. 

The "Lancaster Coiirant" was cstahlisbcti in Clintonvilic by Messrs. Ballartl 
& Messenger, Aug. 1, 184fi. It was a news and family paper, intended 
especially for the village and vicinity. It was independent in politics and on 
moral questions, but was generally in sympathy with the majority in the .State 
in both respects. Its circulation was mainly confined to the locality whose 
current events were particularly noticed in its columns, and its subscription 
list was not large. Its advertising columns were well filled with paying adver- 
tisements, and it enjoyed a good degree of prosperity. It was continuously 
pul)lished by Ballard & Messenger and E. Ballard till December, 18G1, when 
its publication was suspended. The editorial department of the paper was under 
the control of a number of gentlemen, among whom were Edwin Bynner and 
Ecv. L. J. Livcrmorc. The name of the paper was changed to "The Saturday 
Courant" when Cliutonville became Clinton. The publication of the paper 
was resumed by Mr. W. J. Coulter in October, 1805, under the name of "The 
Clinton Courant." The editorial control of it was assumed by Mr. W. E. 
Parkhur^t, and it is at the present time published by Mr. Coulter, with Mr. 
Parkhurst as editor. The general plan of the paper remains without change, 
ex(!<'pt the improvements in matter and execution which have been made in 
newspapers in all directions during this long portion of time. It has largely 
increased its subscription list, and is fiivorably noticed by the exchanges of the 
day. The absentees and former residents of the town eagerly welcome it as 
the best means of informing themselves of the various changes occurring in the 
town. 

The publication of "The Clinton Weekly Record" was commenced by Mr. 
J. W. Ellam, in 1877. This journal, also, is a news and family paper, similar 
in its general plan and the matter contained in its columns to "The Clinton 
Courant." The name of its editor does not appear at the head of the paper. 
It is an independent paper, and the opinions of its conductor on politics and 
moral questions are not so generally apparent from its columns. It is an 
enterprising paper, has obtained quite a circulation and advertising list in the 
town and neighborhood, and is apparently [jrospcrous. 

The gentlemen who initiated the new manufactures in this section of Lan- 
caster possessed strong faith in the efficacy of moral and religious culture, to 
subserve the true interests of individuals and communities. They also regarded 
the elevation and moral and religious culture of the operatives in their emplo}' 
of not less importance to themselves, in securing from such operatives a higher 



398 TOWN OF CLINTON. 



decree of fidelity in the peifuimancc of their various duties. No place of 
public worship then existed within the limits of what is now Clinton, and the 
number and pecuniary resources of its inhabitants did not justify the construc- 
tion of a new one. The existinir means for such culture were attendance upon 
public worship in the centre of Lancaster, and the neighborhood meeting and 
Sunday school. All these instrumentalities were encouraged and aided by the 
example and material assistance of these gentlemen. The first church in Clin- 
tonvilJe was organized in 1844, with fifty-one members. It was of the Evan- 
trelical Congregational or Orthodox denomination. Its first place of worship 
was a chapel on Main Street, and it was then attended by most of the inhabi- 
tants of the village of every faith. Two years after, it erected a church on 
Walnut Street, which it immediately occupied as a place of worship. This 
house has been twice enlarged, and now contains accommodations for nearly 
eight hundred worshippers. The congregation ordinarily attending here num- 
ber about six hundred, and the church coutaincd, in 1878, three hundred and 
seventy members. The various Protestant churches in town have been from 
time to tnmc taken from this one, yet still it has a larger attendance upou its 
services than ever liefore, and its condition was never more prosperous. The 
pastors of this church have been Revs. J. M. R. Eaton, W. II. Corning, W. 
D. Hitchcock, W. W. Winchester, Benjamin Judkins, Dc Witt S. Clark and 
Charles Wetherby. 

The First Baptist Church, the second in Clintonvillc, was formed in 1847, 
with seventeen members. It occupied the cliapel on Main Street as a place of 
worship for two years. It then erected a church on Walnut Street, the site of 
which was the gift of Mr. II. N. Bigelow. and has since worshipped there. 
This building was extensively enlarged and improved in 1868, and is now a 
fine and commodious church. This church has continued to increase in num- 
bers, influence and the audience attendant upon its services, to the present' 
time. It has now a membership of two hundred and fifty, its congregation 
numbers about five hundred, and its church has accommodations for about six 
hundred persons. Rev. Charles M. Bowers was chosen pastor on its organiza- 
tion, and has remained in that position till (he present time. This long pas- 
torate of ihirty-two years, remarkable in this age of change, presents the 
strongest evidence of the ability and failhfulncss of the pastor and the firmness 
and stability of the people. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church in Clinton was organized in October, 1851. 
Persons of this faith had previously held class-mcctiiigs and public worship at 
Clinton for some time, as a branch of the Park Street Church in Worcester. 
Regular meetings were held, in 1851, first in Burditt's Hall, afterwards in 
Concert Hall, on High Street, by a stated minister. The present church 
edifice, on High Street, was erected in 1852, and dedicated December 25lh of 
that year. The church building remains substantially as when completed, 
except changes in the basement. The number of the members of the church 



RELIGIOUS SO(;IETIES. 399 



at its orgnniziit ion is unknown, but it has steadily increased. The aggregate 
number of six hundred and fifty members had been connected witii it when its 
Hrst quarter of a century was completed. The number of members now 
belonging to it is one hundred and fifty. This church commenced its work in 
Clinton with limited resources, and its capacities for usefulness were more or 
less restricted, but its circumstances have greatly improved of late, and its 
legitimate work is now completely and thoroughly performed. The ministers 
of this church have been : Revs. George P.owler, T. Willard Lewis, A. F. 
Bailey, D. K. Merrill, N. S. Spaulding, W. F. Mallalieu, W. J. Pomfret, T. 
R. Tieadwell, A. Gould, J. JM. Coolidge, W. G. Leonard, E. F. Hadley, E. 
S. Chase, F. T. George, J. W. Lewis, \V. A. Braman, A. C. Godfrey, V. M. 
Simons and W. M. Ayers. 

The Unitarian Society of Clinton was organized June 12, 1852, and its 
church was formed Jan 1, ISfiS. Religious services had, for some time pre- 
vious, been held in Bnrdilt and Clinton halls by persons of this denomination, 
and they were continued there until the dedication of the church edifice on 
Church Street, Feb. 2, 1853. This edifice was raised in 1873, a oasement 
story built under it, a wing and rear section added, and the interior beautifully 
refitted and refurnished. This society also has largely increased during the 
twenty-seven years of its corporate existence, and now occupies a favorable 
position financially, and in point of influence in town. The pastors have been : 
Revs. L. J. Livermore, Jared M. Heard, James Sallaway, I. F. "Waterhouse, 
W. S. Burton and Charles Noyes. 

The Church of the Good Shepherd was organized in 1874, as a mission 
church, under the auspices of the Episcopal denomination. It first worshipped 
in Bigelow Hall, then in the District Court-room, and erected a very beautiful 
little Church edifice on Union Street, in 1877. The parish organization of their 
church was completed in 1878, and its mission character removed. The rectors 
of this church have been : Revs. Elgoram Stevens, J. W. Bircbmore and Henry 
L. Foote. 

The Second Advent Church in Clinton was formed in 1874. It numbers 
about forty-five persons. It worshipped first in Good Templars' Hall and 
afterwards in Courant Hall Block. It has no settled minister, but is supplied 
by preachers from elsewhere regularly on the Sabbath. It has a Sunday school 
of about fifty members. 

A mission station of the Roman Catholic Church was established in Clinton- 
ville in 1845, by the Rev. J. Boyce of Worcester. He built a small church on 
South Main Street, in 1849, and occupied it as a mission church, with a con- 
gregation of al)out one hundred persons, till 1853. This mission station was 
then separated from the Worcester parish and kept its own records. The 
chnn:h in Clinton, in 18G3, was organized as a parish and received Rev. 
J. Quinn as its first resident pastor. The subsequent pastors have been : Revs. 
1). A. O'Keefe and R. J. Patterson. A church of capacity to scat 1,200 per- 



400 TO\\'N OF CLINTON. 



sous was built on Pleasant Street, in 18G8, and is now occupied for religious wor- 
ship. An extensive and substantial stone church is in process of construction 
on the corner of School and Union streets, which, when completed, will be 
much the largest and most expensive church in town. The population in Clin- 
ton and vicinity, belonging to this parish, and sympathizing with (his religious 
faith, is estimated at 2,700 persons of all ages. 

The Clinton Fire Department consists of a board of six engineers, annually 
appointed by the selectmen, and companies for each of the fire-engines and for 
the hook-and-ladder company, appointed annually by the engineers. There 
are two hand-engine companies of fifty men each, one steamer company of four- 
teen men, and one hook-and-laddcr company of fifteen men. The department 
is under the control of the engineers, when on duty. All the companies are 
fully and efficiently manned, and well organized and drilled for service. Four 
reservoirs, each of sufficient capacity to supply the steam fire-engine for sev- 
eral hours, have been constructed, or are in process of construction, in various 
parts of the town. 

The Second District Court of Eastern Worcester was established in 1874, 
and includes the towns of Harvard, Bolton, Berlin, Lancaster, Clinton and 
Sterling. All its sessions arc held in Clinton. Its officers are : a standing 
justice, a special justice and a clerk. It h.as sessions daily for criminal busi- 
ness, and twice a month for civil. It takes the place of the trial justice, with 
a jurisdiction to the amount of IfjO in criminal and $300 in civil cases. Charles 
G. Stevens is the standing justice, Christopher C. Stone the associate justice, 
and Frank E. Howard the clerk. 

A "reat variety of societies and associations are in existence in Clinton. 
Four of them arc organized to promote abstinence from the use of intoxicating 
liquors, and have a large number of meint)ers in the aggregate. The Masons 
have a flourishing lodge, styled Trinity Lodge, and a Royal Arch Chapter. 
The Odd Fellows are represented by a large lodge of their order. The natives 
of Ireland have a branch of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and a St. Patrick's 
Benevolent Society. The German citizens have a Turner Society and a Ilaru- 
■rari, Lichtenstein Lodge, both well sustained. The natives of Scotland have 
their St. Andrew's Society, and those from England that of St. George. The 
survivors of the war of the Pebellion have a large and well attended post of 
the Grand Army of the Republic; and mutual relief is furnished to those who 
desire it by an associ;ition of the Knights of Honor and of the Order of the 
Holy Cross. 

The common is a square of about four acres, which is bounded by Church, 
Chestnut, Union and Walnut streets. It is enclosed by a substantial post-and- 
rail fence, and has walk-i .iround it on either side of the fence. Shade-trees 
border the walks on the street side, and another row encircles it within the 
enclosure. Clumps of trees arc planted within wherever the effect will bo 
most pleading, and walks cross it in all diieetions-. It is supplied with a well 



MANUFACTURES. 401 



of pure water; a biinJ-stancl is located near tLe centre, and under tlic inner 
row of shade-trees are stationary scats. This l)eautiful public square was the 
gift of Mr. II. N. Bigulow in 1852 ; and it was accompanied with the provision 
that it should be neatly kept, and forever devoted to the pul)lio use. The streets 
of the town arc of good width ; have sidewalks of brick, concrete or gravel ; arc 
bordered by shade-trees, and the business parts well liglitcd by street-laiups. 
Across the street from the Common, upon the grounds of the town hall, a 
monument was erected in 1875 to the memory of flfty-cight soldiers from 
Clinton, who died for their country in the war of the Rebellion. The expense 
of the monument was about $4,000, which was pi'ovided partly by private 
donations, l)ut mainly from the town treasury. This monument consists of a 
square granite shaft, about eleven feet in height, iucliidiug its base and capital, 
and the base is about six feet square. It is of fine banunered granite, with the 
fifty-eight names engraved upon it. It is surmounted by a bronze soldier 
leaning upon his musket. 



CHAPTER IV. 

MANUFACTURES CHARTERED COMPANIES MILLS GAS-AVORKS BANKS 

HORTICULTURE RAII-ROADS MILITARY COMPANY NOTED MEN OF THE 

PLACE. 

The manufactures of Clinton are various and extensive, and are carried on 
mainly by incorporated companies. The earliest of these was the Clinton 
Company, chartered in 1838 for the puipose of building and operating the coach- 
laco loom of Mr. Erastus C. Bigclow. This lace had before been made upon 
hand-looms, with great expense of lalior. Mr. Cigelow observed this fact, and 
conceived the idea of coustrucling a loom which should produce this article by 
power, making a more uniform quality of goods, and effecting a great saving 
of labor. He was then under twenty-three years of age, and had received no 
special education in the mechanic arts. In six weeks after giving his atten- 
tion to this subject, with only a piece of the lace as a model to show its con- 
struction, he devised and matured this wonderful loom, which involves all the 
mechanical principles of his celebrated carpet-loom. The original feature of 
this loom was the use of the automatic pincers or fingers, which conti'ol the 
wires forming the loops, which arc common to the carpet-loom, and all others 
making pile fabrics by power. The project of making this article by power 
was deemed visionary by most persons interested in this trade, and the 
required capital was obtained with difficulty. This loom on trial accomplished 
all that was expected of it. The laco made upon it was of a uniform (juality, 
and the expense of weaving was reduced from twenty-two to three cents per yard. 



402 TOWN OF CLINTOX. 



The mill wiis at first Ic:isod, and in 1842 .1 purchase of the real estate was 
cffcctod. Prosperity coiitimicd to altcr.d the l)iisinos3, and in 1845 the capital 
stock, originally $100,000, was increased lo $oOO,000, and liberty to do 
business in Boylston was obtained. Sawyer's Mill was purchased and fitted 
up for a yarn-mill, the Clinton Mill was extensively enlarged, and the reser- 
voir now owned by the Carpet Company was constructed. These additions and 
improvements greatly increased the capacitj' for the production of lace, while 
the demand for it, in consequence of the increase of railroads and the decrease 
of stago-coachcs, was much diminished. The lace market consequcnlly became 
overstocked, and new business must bo obtained for a portion of the mill. The 
manufacture of a species of gingham was selected, but the two kinds of opera- 
tions were dissimilar, neither aided the other, the business of each was too 
small to be managed to advantage by itself, and in 18G2 the business was sus- 
pended, and the propcrt}' sold to the Lancaster Mills and the(\arpct Company. 
Mr. Horatio N. Bigilow was the agent and manager of this business till 1849. 
Mr. C. W. Blanchanl took charge of it for some three years ; after which Mr. 
Bigelow resumed the control, and continued in it until the sale. 

The quilt-loom was invented by Mr. E. B. Bigelow previous to the lace- 
loom, but financial difficulties of gentlemen jr)intly interested prevented its use 
until 1841. The mill, purchased for the business in 1838, was then filled with 
these looms, put in operation, produced 100,000 quilts of the best quality per 
annum, of the value of $150,000, and employed 100 persons. This business was 
continued without interruption till the breaking out of the war, and was very 
profitable to its owners during most of that period. Business was resumed for 
a time after the war, but it was not prosperous, and in 1870 the manufacture 
of quilts ceased in Clinton, and the mill was sold to Messrs. Frost & Howard. 
The owner of the business was Mr. Hugh R. Kendall, and subsequently Mr. 
John Lamson, in connection with him, until 1848, at which time they were 
incorporated under the name of the Lancaster Quilt Company, with a capital 
(/f $200,000. ]\Ir. Horatio N. Bigelow was agent till the time of the incorpor- 
lion. Mr. Charles W. Worcester held the position until 18G1, and subsc- 
fjucntly Mr. "Wliltman was agent. Messrs. Frost & Howard fitted up this mill 
ill 1873 for the manufaclui'c of cotton yarns, and still continue in this business. 
They employ 75 persons, run G,000 spindles, and make 300,000 pounds of 
y:irn per annum. 

The Lancaster Mills were planned and the machinery selected and arranged 
by Mr. E. B. Bigelow, as before stated. The works were begun in 1844, 
and completed and put in operation the next season. The buildings covered 
nearly four acres. The mtnn part of the structure was of one stor}', lighted 
from the roof by skylights, and the other parts of it were of greater height. 
The mill contained 550 looms, and its motive-power consisted of throe breast- 
wheels, rated at 225 horse-power, and one steam-engine at 250 horse-power. 
The works gave emi)ioyment to 000 persons, and their annual product was 



CARPCT BUSINESS. 403 



4,000,000 yaids of the fabric known as the Lancaster ginghams. All the 
various processes, from the cotton in the bale to the finislicd cloth, were per- 
formed by the corporation under its own roof. The capital stock of the com- 
pany was 2,000 shares of the par value of $450, afterwards reduced to $400 
each. Ample and convenient boarding and tenement houses wore also pro- 
vided for the various operatives and employes of this corporation. These 
works have been in operation, without a single suspension or failure to pay the 
regular wages to their operatives, to the present time. No great change was 
made in the business of this company previous to the war, although it gradu- 
ally and steadily improved. During the last years of the war and since its 
close, its business success has been wonderful. It has rebuilt its dam, substi- 
tuted two turbine-wheels of 750 horse-power for its three breast-wheels, and 
two steam-engines of 1,200 horse-power and five small ones for its one steam- 
enijine, has 1,011 looms in operation, and employs 1,400 persons. Its products 
are now 10,400,000 yards of gingham annually. The mill has been sufBciently 
enlarged to accommodate all the processes of its increased manufactures within 
its walls, except a portion of the spinning done at the Boylston Mill. The 
tenement and boarding houses have also l)ccn correspondingly increased. The 
manufactures of this company arc of the first quality, and arc, at the present 
time, the leading ones of their kind in the market. They excel in the taste- 
fidness of their designs, the firmness and distinctness of their colors, the uni- 
formity of their texture, and the beauty of their finish. Its stockholders have 
received regular and, since the war, large dividends, and its additions and 
enlargements have been made from reserves, without contracting loans or 
creating new stock. Mr, II. N. Bigelow was agent from the organization of 
the company till 1849, and to his taste, skill and care the construction and 
arrangement of the many buildings, and the adjustment of its complicated 
machinery, is, to a large extent, due. jNIr. Franklin Forbes succeeded Mr. 
Bi"-elow, and continued to hold the position till his death in 1877. To his 
executive ability, energy, prudence, foresight and devotion to duty the remark- 
able prosperity of the company is largely indebted. Mr. G. W. Weeks, a 
gentleman educated under Mr. Forbes, and superintendent at the time of his 
death, was promoted to the position, and still continues the business with 
marked success. 

The manufacture of Brussels and Wilton carpets was commenced by Messrs. 
E. B. & II. N. Bigelow & H. P. Fairbanks, as a copartnership, in 1849. 
They continued the business in that manner till 1854, when they were incor- 
porated under the style of the Bigelow Carpet Company, with a capital of 
$500,000. 

This organization remains unchanged, except an increase of capital to 
$1,000,000. The Brussels carpets were made upon a loom constructed upon 
the principle of the lace loom ; and, in the Wilton loom, the wire was formed 
with a knife attached to the end of it. Both of these looms were the invention 



■1(14 TOWN OF CLINTON. 



of Mr. E. B. Bijrclow, and were the first in use applying power to tlic manu- 
facture of this fabric. These looms produced a more uniform aud ijetter quality 
of goods than were miidc under the old hand-loom method, and the cost of 
weaving was reduced from tliirfy to four cents per 3'ard. This cost has heeu 
still farther reduced l)y l:itor improvements. The goods of this company 
received very commendatory notices at tlie English Exhibition of 1851, where 
they were entered too late for a prize. They were awarded the highest medal 
at the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia in 1870, and a gold medal at the 
Paris Exposition of 1878. 

The operations of this company have largely exceeded the original plans, and 
the buildings arc in two sections : the one first occupied is devoted to dyeing 
and weaving, and the other, purchased of the Clinton Company, is ai)propriated 
to the preparation of the wool, and spinning. They arc beautiful and sub- 
stantial structures, and cover a large extent of ground. This corporation also 
provides convenient and comfoi'tablc tenement and boarding houses for its large 
force of operatives and em[)loyes. The works arc mostl}' propelled by steam ; 
have in operation 120 looms; make 1,200,000 yards of Brussels and Wilton 
carpets per annum, and employ 900 persons. They manufacture all their own 
worsteds, and perfoim all the processes necessary for the completed carpet in 
their works at Clinton, and sell 500,000 pounds of filling yarn per annum not 
adapted to thcii' purposes. ]Mr. II. N. Bigelow organized and arranged these 
works, and was their mau.-iger and agent until 18G5, when he was succeeded by 
ills son, !Mr. Henry N. Bigelow, who remains in that position, and has success- 
full}'' directed large additions. 

The Clinton Wire-Cloth Company was organized in 1857 for the manufac- 
ture of wire-doth by power-loom. This loom also was the invention of Mr. 
E. B. Bigelow, but has subsequently been much improved by others. This 
company likewise commenced a new enterprise, aud made its own way to repu- 
t.itioii and liiianeial success. It has extensive W(n-k3, commodious and substan- 
tial l)uildings, and is doing a prosperous business. It em|)loys two hundred 
anil fifty persons, and makes several million square feet of wire-cloth of various 
descriptions per annum. Its capital stock is $400,000. Mr. Charles II. Waters 
arranged, put in operation, and superintended these works till 1879, and was 
then succeeded by Mr. Charles B. Bigelow as agent. Mr. Waters still retains 
a great interest in and general supervision of the works. 

Mr. A. L. Fuller formerly occupied a large mill on the South Meadow 
Brook, below the quilt-mill, and did a large and prosperous business in the 
manufacture of hoop-skirts. This industry declined with the change of the 
fashion which occasioned the demand for its products, and the works were sold 
to Messrs. Boyco Brothers, who manufactured braids until the destruction of 
the works in 1870. 

The Clinton Gas Company was formed in 1854, and its cai)it;d stock is 
$50,000. The mills, jiublic buildings, and many of the streets a;'.d i)iivatc 



WORKS AND IMILLS. 40") 



residences in town arc lighted -with its products. Mr. Milton Jewctt is super- 
intendent, and Mr. C. L. Swan treasurer and agent. 

Mr. J. B. Parker erected a machine-shop in 1852 for the manufiicture of 
machinery. jMcssrs. G. M. Palmer, A. C. Uakin, S. W. Fosdick and J. B. 
Butler have been at various times associated with him in the business. They 
made machinery for the mills in town and elsewhere, and employed forty men. 
They were made a, corporation in 1875 by the name of the J. B. Parker 
Machine Company. Its capital stock is $45,000, and its annual products are 
worth $50,000. A. C. Dakin is president ; C. C. Murdock is treasurer. 

An iron foundry was established in Clinton in 1847 by G. M. Palmer. He 
makes castings for machinery and railroad uses. His works emi)loy twenty 
men. This business has never been suspended, and continues prosperous. 

The Gibl)s Loom-Harness and Reed Company is- a corporation for the manu- 
fiicture of those articles, formed in 1874. The capital is $50,000. It employs 
seventy-five persons ; has twelve knitting-machines in operation, and the value 
of the annual product is $50,000. W. H. Gibbs is president and manager, 
and C. L. Swan is treasurer. 

The manufacture of horn-combs by hand was begun in this town at an early 
date. The manufacture of these goods by machinery was commenced about 
the same time as the other manufactures. Mr. Sidney Harris was the largest 
manufacturer. His mill employed about one hundre'd hands, and was prosper- 
ously conducted by himself and in connection with his sons down to the time of 
his death in 18(il, and after that by his sons till the death of Mr. E. A. Harris, 
the Last surviving son, in 1875. The business was afterward carried on by a 
corporation, styled the S. Harris & Sons Manufacturing Company, wnth a capi- 
tal of $00,000. These works are still in operation. Mr. H. E. Starbird is 
president, and Mr. E. Brimhall treasurer. The comb manufacture has also 
been carried on by Messrs. McCollnni & Lowe, Henry Lowe, Charles Frazer 
and others at various times, to a liniited extent ; but these works are not now 
in operation. 

A steam sash, blind and lumber mill is in operation in the northerly part of 
the town, owned and carried on by Mr. E. S. Fuller, which does a large and 
prosperous business. 

The business of tanning was begun in Clinton by Messrs. C. M. Bailey & Son 
in 18G9. They employed about forty men, and did a prosperous business till 
1873, when Mr. George E. Bailey died, and the business was sold to Messrs. 
Bryant & King. They enlarged the business very extensively, giving employ- 
ment to one hundred and twenty-five men, and continued it prosperously till the 
sprin"' of 187G, when their works were destroyed by the (lood before mentioned. 
C. M. Bailey & Co. partially repaired the works in 1878, and are doing a 
limited business, employing about twenty-five men. 

The Clinton Savings Bank was established in lS51,and is doing a prosperous 
business. Its deposits are $025,000. Mr. C. L. Swan is president, and Mr. 



40G TOWN OF CLINTON. 



C. L. S. Hammond is treasurer. The First National Bank of Clinton was 
established in 1864, with a capital of $200,000, and is still in successful opera- 
tion. Mr. Charles G. Stevens and Mr. C. L. S. Hammond arc the president 
and cashier. 

The limited space that can l)e accorded to the history of Clinton will not 
admit of a particular account of the various professions, mercantile industries 
and trades pursued in Clinton ; but all these have kept pace with the leading 
industries above described, and the gentlemen engaged in them have enjoyed a 
"ood degree of prosperity and success in their various pursuits. 

A small portion of the territory now Clinton was under cultivation in early 
days, and that quantity has not been much increased iu later years. Very few 
persons make agriculture their business, and these confine themselves princi- 
pally to the production of hay and milk, and to market-gardening. The grow- 
in'' of fruit and horticulture receives much greater attention, and Clinton has its 
full share of fine gardens, orchards, and beautiful lawns and grounds. 

The Clinton Town Hall is situated upon the corner of Church and AValnut 
streets, fticinw the Common. It is of brick, with freestone trimmings and slated 
roof; is two stories in height, and is 130 liy 84 feet, exclusive of the library. 
The first story contains Bigelow Hall, GO by 80 feet ; three commodious rooms 
for town offices ; a spacicnis front entrance-hall and stairway; a rear entrance 
and stairway, and additional rooms for the lilirary. The second story contains 
Clinton Hall, 95 by 80 feet; a gallery over the entrance, al)()ut GO by 20 feet; 
ante-rooms, and a passage in the rear of the hall. Each story is of propor- 
tionate heiirht, and the entire building is beautifully frescoed and finished iu 
ash. It isheated by steam, lighted with gas, conveniently furnished, and the 
entire expense, including the site, was $110,000. 

Two railroads have been constructed through the town, giving great facilities 
of communication with the centres of trade. The Worcester and Nashua was 
opened in 1848, and the l^oston, Clinton and Fitchburg in July, 186G. They 
form a junction near tlie wire, carpet and yarn mills, and a branch from the 
latter road extends to the Lancaster Mills. 

A military company styled the Clinton Light Guard, was established in 1853. 
Its enlistments were not restricted to town lines, although most of its members 
were residents of Clinton. It was a popular com|)any at home, had full ranks, 
was well drilled and soldierly in its bearing, and was highly esteemed among 
its military associates. When notified of an expected call to Ihc field in April, 
18G1, the entire body, with scarce an exception, volunteered to respond. The 
expected call was not received ; Init the company, at a later day, with few 
exceptions, enlisted in the volunteer army, and faithfully served their country 
in that capacity. The company organization was then broken up, and lias jiot 
since been revived. 

We have space to notice only three of the prominent individuals connected with 
the origin and history of the town. Mr. Erastus B. Bigelow should claim our 



EMINENT CITIZENS. 407 



first notice, from bis having selected this place for the development of the first 
effort of his genius, for his personal exertions and inlliionco in projecting and 
putting in operation the immense l)usiness of the Lancaster Mills, and from ills 
commanding influence in the carpet-mills. Mr. Bigelow, doubtless, souglit 
first his own interest iu these various enterprises ; but the town's interest and 
his were concurrent, and, in benefiting himself, he benefited others, as all true 
enterprise does. lie has directly promoted the welfare of the town by uumer- 
ous bcnefiictions, some of which have been noticed. He has always "iven 
Clinton the benefit of his counsels and aid when needed, and its inhabitants are 
proud to recognize him as its originator and Ijenefactor. 

Mr. Horatio N. Bigelow came to this section of the country to reside in 1837, 
and from that time until the failure of his health iu 18G5, he was the leader in 
every public movement. lie planned the public streets, devised new schools, 
devoted his time and attention to their organization and progress, gave the sites 
for two of the earlier ones, and also for two churches, and was the originator 
and main support of the first church established here. His personal conduct 
and example corresponded with his profession. His influence and untirin"- 
efforts restrained much of the immoral conduct and vicious tendency to which 
rapidly growing places are liable, and made Clinton for many years one of the 
most moral and well-conducted places of its size and population in the Com- 
monwealth. ]Mr. Bigelow might well say of himself, in connection with the 
public aflairs of Clinton in its early days, what Virgil makes ^neas say of 
himself: " Quorum jmis magna fui." lie richly merits the gratitude and 
affection of its people. 

Mr. Franklin Forbes came to Clinton when society had passed its formative 
state, and assumed more of a crystalline form. His scholarly attainments and 
previous occupation pre-eminently fitted him to take the lead Lu the educational 
interests of the town, and, until his death, he was the prinei[)al manager and super- 
visor, and contributed largely to their prosperity. The puijiic library, as a co- 
ordinate means of education, was another sulycct of his constant thought and 
unwearied elTorts. Ho was one of the originators of, and all his life long felt a 
deep interest in, the religious society (Unitarian) with which he worshipped ; and 
his munificent benefactions to it were unceasing. The public at large saw in him 
a gentleman of culture and refinement, possessed of a kindly spirit aud a large 
heart, and deeply interested in the welfare of all. He merited and receives 
the afl'ectionate remembrance of his fellow-citizens. 



408 TOWN OF DANA. 



DANA. 



BT GEORGE W. HORR, LL. B. 



CHAPTER I. 



FORMATION AND BOUNDARIES — SURFACE AND SCENERY — SOAPSTONE QUARRT 

FLAX CULTURE — EARLY CITIZENS — INDIAN HISTORY — MRS. GAFFIELD'S 

CAPTIVITY — RHAYS' REBELLION — WHEELER THE COUNTERFEITER — SINGU- 
LAR PLACE OF HIS RETREAT. 

Dana, in territory aiifl population, is one of the smallest towns in the connty. 
It was incorporateci Feb. 18, 1801, and was formotl from the south-westerly 
jiart of Petersham, and the north-westerly part of Hardwick, in "Worcester 
County, and the north-easterly part of Greenwich, in Hampsliire County. By 
an act approved by the governor, Feb. 4, 1842, a small part of Petersham and 
Hardwick were annexed to the town. Its boundaries are Petersham on the 
north and east, Hardwick on the south, Greenwich and Prescott of Hampshire 
County and New Salem of Franklin County on the west. It is diversified with 
hills and valleys, the most important of which are Swift River, which fur- 
nishes valuable water-p'>wer in the north-western part of the town, and the 
east branch of the same river that forms the south-west border of the town 
for some distance, and supplies a beautiful sheet of water called Pottapaug 
Pond, containing one hundred and sixty acres. Another large pond in the 
north part of the town, called Necseponsett, abounding with pickerel and other 
Hsh, is a favorite resort of fishing-parlies. The most importint elevations are 
Rattlesnake Hill inthc north and Pottapaug Hill in the south-western part. 
The geological structure is gneiss, associated with which is hornblende slate. 
There is a hill composed of steatite or soapstone, where a quarry was opened 
in 1852, and the stone, which was considered of a very good quality, was, before 
the construction of the railroad, teamed to West Brookfield and Palmer Depot, 
A mill has been erected on Swift River, bclowthe village of North Dana, where 
the stone is worked for various purposes, while the waste material is manufac- 
tured into a roofing preparation. 

The first account we find regarding the territory included within the limits 
of what is now Dana, is that of a lot of land laid out to Samuel Sawyer, in 



FLAX MANUFACTURE. 400 

the south-westerly part of Nichewaug (Petersham), and represented as being 
on the road to Roadtown (Shntcshury). This was about the j'ear 1734. It is 
likely that the first sottlonient made on the territory of Dana of any great 
numbers, was on and al)out the common, now called "Dana Common," and a 
settlement of considerable part of the town must have been made as early as 
175(). Of the action of the early settlers during the Revolutionary War, it is 
difficult to obtain any authentic records as to the number who participated in 
that struggle, for they were at that time citizens of several different towns. The 
early settlers whose names appear among the Revolutionary soldiers are Thomas 
Stimpson, Jonathan Parkhurst, Bezaleel Amsden, Riiggles Spooner, John 
Town, Elijah Babbitt, Benjamin Skinner, Stephen Johnson, Stephen Witt, and 
there were undoubtedly others. No reason appears on record why the few 
inhabitants of this territory wished for a town charter, although tradition says 
that it was principally to avoid a ministerial tax, in which they were obliged 
to support the Gospel without receiving its benefits ; but the more reasonable 
supposition woidd l)e on account of the distance to the centres of the several 
towns where they must go to transact all town business and attend church. 

The cultivation of fiax was, at one time, carried on quite extensively, being 
sown in April or i\Iay and harvested early in August, less than three months in 
possession of the ground ; but its cultivation has entirely ceased, and tbe only 
evidence of this former important industry is the little "foot-wheels," hatchels, 
&c., now sometimes found in the attics of the houses of the older inhabitants, 
or their children, Avho reside on the old homesteads. A venerable man of 
Athol, Nathaniel Foster, eighty-four years old, has related to the author the 
process of preparing flax for weaving and being made into cloth. First, he 
says, using present tense, "the flax must be raised, and it grows from one to 
three feet in height, and the boys find plenty of labor in the various operations 
attending its culture. It must be sowed ; then, as it grows, it must be weeded ; 
at its maturity, when it changes color after blooming, it must be pulled ; then it 
is dried, bound in bundles, taken to the barn and threshed ; then comes the 
process of retting, or as it is commonly called by farmers, rotting, which consists 
of laying it in the field again for some weeks ; after this, it is again taken to 
the barn, where it goes through the process of breaking on machines, called 
flax-brakes ; it then is swinged, or as we say, swingled ; next it is hatcheled on 
what is called a hatchel or heckel, a comb of long, iron teeth, set filling a 
circle or square. The men and boys have now completed their work, and it is 
turned over to the females ; the girls now take it and spin it on little foot- 
wheels, it is then reeled off, and the older women take it and weave it." 

The town was named in honor of Judge Francis Dana, who interested him- 
self in procuring the act of incorporation, and although most of the early 
inhabitants of the town were Democrats, and Judge Dana was a strong Federal- 
ist, yet the name of the town was never changed, as was the neighboring town 
of Gerry for a similar reason. 



410 TOWN OF DANA. 



The first town meeting was warned by Daniel Bigclow, Esq., of Pctcrshaiu, 
and was held at the meeting-house, Man-h 17, 1801 ; Jacob Whipple was 
chosen moderator ; Joel Amsden, town clerk, and Stephen Johnson, Bczalcel 
Amsdcn and Dr. Jacob Whipple, selectmen. Town meetings were licld at the 
old meeting-house, and sometimes at the school-house on the Plain, and from 
1825 to 184:0 they were held alternately at the raeeting-honse and the house of 
John Gleason. When the meetings were warned at the meeting-house they 
were generally adjourned, immediately after the organization, to the tavern, 
where they could have fires, and also plenty of something warming for the 
inner man. 

Among the leading men and large landholders at the time of the incorpora- 
tion were: Jeremiah Sibley, Seth Williams, Joseph Ilcndrick, Elkanah Ilas- 
kins, Joel Amsden, Bezaleel Amsden, Jacob Amsdcn, Daniel Russell, Oliver 
Harris, John Town, Elijah Town, Ichabod Town, Elijah Babbitt, James Bab- 
bitt, Jacob Whipple, Simon Whipple, William Bancroft, Benjamin Skinner, 
Stephen Johnson and others. Jeremiah Sibley came from Sutton and located 
on -what is now Dana Common, where he bought five hundred acres of land. 
Scth Williams came from Easton, and w:.s also a large landholder. Joseph 
Ilendrick owned about five hundred acres, and most of those whose names are 
ujcntioncd possessed large farms. The number assigned to all of the districts 
into which the town was divided, soon after the incorporation, was one hundred 
and fourteen, which number, probal)ly, constituted the legal voters. 

Although no accounts are given of Indian inhabitants, yet it is evident that 
this territory was frequented by them, and that Ihcy fished upon the beautiful 
sheets of water, which to the present day bear the names they bestowed upon 
them, for around these ponds are found the relics of their implements, and also 
on the sides of Pottapaug Hill have been found the mortars where they pounded 
their corn. For nearly half a century Dana was the home of a woman, Mrs. 
Eunice Gaflicld, afterwards Mrs. Eunice Pratt, commonly called "Aunt 
Pratt," whoso adventures among the Indians would form a thrilling page in the 
annals of American history.* 

" As Messrs. Caleb Howe, Ililkiab Grout and Benjamin GanieUl, who had been hoeing 
jorn in the meadow, west of the river, were retin-ning home a little before sunset, to a 
place called Bridgman's Fort, they were fired upon by twelve Iiuliaus, who had amlnishcd 
their path. 

>• Howe was on horseback, with two young lads, his children, behind him. A ball, 
which broke his thigh, brought him to the ground. His horse ran a few rods and fell, 
likewise, and both the l.ads were taken. The Indians in their savage manner, coming 
ui) to Howe, pierced his body with a si)ear, tore ofl' his scalp, stuck a hatchet in his 
liead, and left liim in this forlorn condition. Grout was so fortunate as to escape 
unhurt. But Gallield, in attempting to wade through the river, at a certain place which 

•Narrative of the captivity of Mrs. Jemima Howe, taken by the ludiaus at Iliusd.ile, N. 11., 
July -27, 1735. 



MRS. GAFFIELD'S STORY. 411 

was indeed fordable at that time, was unfortunately drowned. Flushed with the suc- 
cess thpy had met with here, the savages went directi}' to Bridgman's Fort. There was 
no man in it, and only three women and some children, Mrs. Jemima Howe, Mrs. Sub- 
mit Grout, and Mrs. Eunice Gallield. 

"Their husbands, I need not mention again, and their feelings at this juncture I will 
not altemiit to describe. They had heard the enemies' guns, but knew not what had 
happened to their friends. Extremely anxious for their safety, the^' stood longing to 
embrace them, until at length, concluding from the noise they heard without that some 
of them were come, the}- unbarred the gate in a hurry to receive them ; when lo ! to 
their inexpressible disappointment and surprise, instead of their husbands, in rushed a 
nnmber of hideous Indians, to whom they and their tender offspring became an easy 
prey ; and from whom thcj- had nothing to expect, but either an immediate death, or a 
long and doleful captivity. 

" The latter of these, by the fiivor of Providence, turned out to be the lot of these 
unhaiipy women, and their still more unhappy, because more helpless children. Mrs. 
Gaflield had but one, Mrs. Grout had three, and Mrs. Howe seven. The eldest of Mrs. 
Howe's was eleven years old, and the youngest but six months. 

" The Indians, (she says) having plundered and put fire to the fort, we marched, as 
near as I could judge, a mile and a half into the woods, where we encamped for the 
night." 

Mrs. Howe continues her narrative of their wearisome march until all arrived 
in safety at St. John's, and says : "Our next raovemcnt was to St. Francois, 
the metropolis, if I may so call it, to which the Indians, who held us captive, 
belonged. Soon after our arrival at that wretched capital, a council, consist- 
ing of the chief sachem, and some principal warriors of the St. Francois tribe, 
was convened ; and after the ceremonies usual on such occasions were over, I 
was conducted and delivered to an old squaw, whom the Indians told me I 
must call mother." This narrative is taken from the "American Preceptor," 
published in 1802. The remainder of the story relates only to the experience 
of Mrs. Howe and her children, she having been separated from the other cap- 
tives at St. Fran9ois. Mrs. Gatheld was sold to the French and by them to 
the English, and after a captivity of seven years was returned to her native 
laud. She came to Hard wick, now Dana, to reside, where her child, who had 
lived to manhood with the Indians came to visit his mother, but refused to 
remain in civilized life, preferring his savage mode instead. People came from 
a long distance to see the old lady, at her home in Dana, and hear her relate 
her Indian experience. The dreams of the barbarities which she had witnessed 
and sufl'ered followed her to the day of her death, and she would start up in 
the middle of the night and raise the war-whoop of the savages, while her 
sleep was disturbed by fearful visions, to such an extent as to awaken the whole 
household. She died about the year 1825, at the age of ninety-four years. 

The woods of Dana seem to have proved a secluded retreat for those desir- 
ing to evade the laws of the land, in the early history of the place, for here 
Daniel Shays, the leader of the "Shays Rebellion," had an encampment for 



412 TOWN OF DANA. 



recruiting, about one-half a mile south-west of Dana Common, where, at one 
time, he is said to have had two thousand men in camp. Here, also, was the 
cave of the notorious Glazier "Wlicolcr, a celebrated maker of counterfeit silver 
money. His cave was situated on the bank of Swift Iviver, near what is now 
the village of North Dana. This cave was entered only from the river, where 
^Mieeler could step out of his boat into the mouth of the cave. At one end 
was a large hollow tree, which served as a chimney to carry off the smoke. It 
is stated that the way in which it was discovered, was, that one night some 
coon-hunters were passing the place, when they saw smoke issuing from 
this tree, and were so badly frightened that they thought the Devil was 
there, or that the end of the world was coming. The next day they rallied 
help and made an investigation, when Wheeler's furnace was discovered, 
and all the tools and implements for making counterfeit dollars. This was 
undoubtedly the place visited by the notorious Stephen Burroughs, which is 
spokcu of in his life. He describes AVheeler as being a man of slender con- 
stitution, of threescore years of age, who had spent all his life in trying to 
make counterfeit coin that would pass without detection. Wheeler was arrested 
soon after the conviction of Burroughs, was tried at Northampton, and both 
were in prison at the same time. An old cellar-hole near the railroad in North 
Dana, now marks the spot where Wheeler's house once stood, and the plow 
of the ftirmer has turned up, occasionally, the counterfeit coins which his fur- 
nace produced. 



CHAPTER II. 

CHURCH HISTOin' — BAPTISTS — UNI VERSALISTS — ORTnODOX CONGREG ATIOXAL — 

JIEXnODISTS — OTHER DENOMINATIONS SCHOOLS PATRIOTIC RECORD 

THE GREAT REBELLION EARLY iMANUFACTLTJES NORTH DANA VILLAGE 

rOrULATION SINGULAR EPIDEMIC A YEAR OF SCARCITY — PUBLIC OIFICERS 

EMINENT MEN. 

The first religious organization in town was that of the Baptist Church, their 
meeting-house l)cing removed from the south part of Petersham to Dana Com- 
mon in the last years of the last or the first years of the present century. This 
societ}' continued to exist and maintain religious ordinances until about 1830, 
when it became extinct as an organization. Some of the members of that 
church were afterwards found in North Dana and the west part of Petersiiani ; 
they formed a branch of the Athol church, and at a later day organized into an 
independent church, which is the Baptist Church at Petersham at the present 
time. Other members of the old church traveled further south and formed a 
Baptist church in Hardwick. The original meeting-house of the old church 



EELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 413 

afterwards became the property of individual proprietoi.s, and was useil l>y the 
Uuivcrsalists and others until 1842, when it was purchased hy the town and 
converted into a town hall and school-house, for which purpose it has ever 
siuce heen used. Among the leading members of this church wore Thomas 
Stimpson, Elkanali Rogers, Jonathan Parkhurst, Benjamin Skinner, Calvin 
Bryant and Abijah Sil)ley. Parkhurst and Stimpson were veterans of the 
Revolution. Elder Jacob Whipple, the moderator of the first town meeting, 
was one of the early preachers of this church. In 1805, at a town meeting, it 
was voted to have Elder Whipple for their town minister for one year ensuing, 
provided it could be without cost, and it was also voted to invite the neighbor- 
ing ministers to give eleven days preaching. In 1816, the town chose a com- 
mittee to consult Elder Whipple in reference to his preaching for the town, and 
some 3'ears the town voted money to pay the minister, a small sum, ranging 
from $100 to $250. The last Baptist minister who preached for any length of 
time in Dana was David Pease. 

A few years before the incorporation of the town, a young man came to 
Dana in the capacity of a school-teacher, and soon commenced preaching the 
doctrines of universal salvation. This person was Hosca B.illou, one of the 
founders and fathei's of the Universalist denomination in the United States. 

Mr. M. M. Ballon, son of Ilosea Ballou, in his "Life" of his father says: 
"The first place in which Mr. Ballou engaged permanently as a settled minis- 
ter was in the town of Dana, Mass., in 1794-5." The society was not able to 
pay for an engagement which should occupy him the whole time, and therefore 
engaged him for a portion, allowing him to supply societies in Oxford and 
Charlton, Mass., a part of the time. Owing to the small reniuucration received 
from the society in Dana, he was obliged to keep school during the week, 
besides tilling a small portion of land. While residing in Dana, he i>ecanic 
acquainted with the family of Stephen Wa.^hburn of Williamsburg, and after 
an intimate acquaintance of about a j'ear, and when twenty-five years of age, 
he married their youngest daughter, Ruth AVashburn. He lived in Dana about 
seven years, and removed from there to Barnard, Vt. Among the Universal- 
ist ministers who succeeded him, were Joshua Flagg, James Babbitt, Massena 
Ballou (son of Hosea), Lucius Paige, Jared Bushnell and John Willis. The 
society continued for man}' years with vai-ying success. No regular religious 
services of that denomination are now held. 

About 1832, an Orthodox Congregational Church and Society was formed 
in Storrsville, a small village in the east part of the town, before that place 
was annexed to Dana ; it was established by Dr. Storrs of New Braintree, and 
was at first a home missionary station, being sustained in part by the missionary 
funds. This was discontinued in 1852, and on the 10th of July of that year 
an Orthodox Congregational Church and Society was organized. The original 
members of that society were Nathaniel Johnson, J. J. Perkins, John H. 
Farnsworth, L. E. Marsh, Nathaniel L. Johnson, Esq., Leonard Fisher, 



414 TOWX OF DANA. 



Goliath Charles, John A. Stouc, Theodore W. Johnson, Solomon Blacknicr 
and Andrew J. Johnson. Rev. John Keep, who was the last pastor of the 
ehiirch in Storrsvillc, was settled over the new church, and continued as its 
pastor nntil LSOl. His successor was Rev. William Leonard, who was settled 
in August, 1801, and remained as pastor three years, since which time the 
church has had no settled minister, hut has been supplied h}- various clergy- 
men. Rev. Henry M. Rogers remained one year. Rev. William Leonard three 
years, and other ministers have been Rev. O. Russell, Rev. Mr. Soule and Rev. 
E. P. Gibbs ; the pastor now acting is the Rev. E. W. Merritt. The present 
church edifice was built in 1853. 

The pioneers of Methodism visited Dana earl}' in the present century. Among 
the early preachers of this denomination, who came into Dana, were Joshna 
Crowell and the eccentric Lorenzo Dow. A small society or class was formed, 
among the members of which were Uriah Doane, William Tolman, W. Tolinan, 
Jr., Benjamin Woods and Ebenezer Grosvcnor. ilinistcrs of the Methodist 
church do not appear in Dana again nntil about the year 1831 or 1832, when a 
society, called the Liberal Congregational Societ}', employed some students of 
Will)raham Academy to preach in Dana, and from this may be dated the estab- 
lishment of ^lethodism in North Dana, and hardly a year has passed since but 
what that denomination has had preaching in the town. The first minister 
api)ointed Ijy Conference was Elder Erastus Otis. The present pastor is Rev. 
Thomas Martin, who preaches at Xorth Dana, and also supplies the church at 
South Athol. 

About the year 1819, a man by the name of Grossman appeared in town, 
and began preaching the doctrines of a sect called "Christians." In about two 
years, he had gathered into his fold nearly one hundred persons of Dana and 
Greenwich, but after he left the organization was broken up, and most of the 
members united with the existing denominations. Some also became tinctured 
with Shakcrism, which prevailed to a considerable extent in Petersham, and 
Ebenezer Grosveuor, one of the members of the first Methodist class, turned 
Shaker, and went to Harvard, and the Grosveuors were for mau}' j'cars among 
the lending Shakers of Shirles'. 

We find that one of the first acts of this young town after its incorporation 
was to raise the sum of $175 for schooling, and the town was divided into five 
school districts. An old resident of the town states that during the first 
twent^'-five years of the town's existence, there were more scholars attending 
schocl than now ; then the school-houses were full, all the boys and girls attend- 
ing school until they were twenty-one years of age. In 1802, the town laised 
$(iOO. During the last school year there was $700 apjiropriatcd, which, with 
the school-fund, dog-lnud, &c., made the total receipts for the schools $955.42, 
and I hoy were attended by one hundred and seventeen scholars. The school 
committee for that year were A. J. Nye, Moses T. Knapp and Miss M. J. 
Richardson. 



HAT BUSINESS. 415 



We have already referred to the patriotic conduct of the citizens of Dana, 
who participated in the Revolution. In the war of 1812, there were in service 
from Dana, Asa Iloyt and Joseph Simonds, who served nearly through the 
war. Capt. Elisha Foster commanded a company in defence of Boston 
harbor, but how many men from this town were under his command is not 
known. 

When the dark cloud of civil war hung over the land, and the cherished insti- 
tutions of a free people were in danger, Dana responded nol)ly to the call for 
troops, sending eighty-eight soldiers and sailors to the defence of the Govern- 
ment, under the various calls of the President, while thirteen residents of the 
town enlisted in and were credited to other places, and at the close of the war 
in 1865, the records in the adjutant-general's ofBce showed a surplus of (en 
men to the credit of Dana. Of the eighty-eight that enlisted, seven were in 
the naval service ; fourteen died of disease and wounds while in the service, 
and four were killed in action. At a town meeting held Oct. 14, 18G1, it was 
voted to authorize the treasurer to borrow a sum not to exceed $500 for the 
support and relief of soldiers' families ; July 22, 1862, it was voted to raise 
$1,000 by taxation, to encourage a sufficient number of recruits required to 
make up the quota of this town ; also, voted to pay each recruit ^100 when he 
is mustered into the United States service. The town expended, exclusive of 
State aid, the sum of $8,780 for the suppression of the Rebellion. The women 
of the town also were not behind in the great work, for Gen. Schoulor in his 
history of the war says : " The ladies of Dana did their fair proportion in fur- 
nishing clothes and necessaries for the soldiers." 

One of the early manufacturers of the town was Apollos Johnson, who came 
to Dana about the year 1815 and established the manufacture of pocket-books, 
which was carried on quite extensively for some time. He also in connection 
with Italy Foster carried on the tanning business for many j'ears, and was 
engaged in the distilling of cider-brandy, from cider made in the vicinity. He 
introduced the making of straw-braid, and was one of the first in the country 
who started the palm-leaf hat business. One of the first articles made for 
market was potash, which was manufactured in large quantities. 

The manufiicture of palm-leaf hats has been a leading industry of the town 
for half a centur}' ; the plaiting furnished employment to the women of 
most of the families of this and surrounding towns. The first to engage in 
this business in town was Apollos Johnson. The palm-leaves were then put 
out whole to the makers, just as they were imported from Cuba, and were 
split with pocket-knives, and then plaited ; when done they were pressed 
by rotary machines turned by hand ; since then great improvements have been 
made in the manner of splitting the leaf and finishing up the hats. The next 
party who carried on the business in town was James S. Brown, who has been 
engaged in it for forty years. Among others who have been in the business 
are Franklin Lombard, George G. Braman, Jonathan E. Stone & Co., Braman 



41G TOWN OF DANA. 



& Johnson, Russell & Johnson, Liudsey & Johnson, Soth W. Amsdun, Doanc 
&. Charles and Charles F. Gleason. 

The business is now carried on extensively by Nathaniel L. Johnson, Esq., 
Orin J. Powers, James S. Brown, Jr., and O. II. Goodman & Co. In 1837, 
there were 70,000 palm-leaf hats manufactured in town, valued at $10,500, 
and now there arc from 45,000 to 50,000 dozen put up by those doing business 
here, amounting in value, according to the report of the last State census, to 
$44,800. These are not all braided in town, but the leaf is carried from here 
into Hampshire and Franklin counties and southern Vermont, and there put 
into families, where it is braided. The hats are then collected and brought to 
Dana to be made ready for market. From 185t) to 18G7, Shaker hoods -were 
largely made in this town and vicinity. They were made from palm-leaf by 
machinery. During the time they were most largely used, Nathaniel L. 
Johnson, Esq., made in a single year 20,000 dozen, valued at $GO,000. Very 
few are made now. 

Early in the history of the town a dam was built across Swift River, at what 
is now North Dana, a saw-mill was erected, and a large wooden frame, four 
stories high, which was intended for a colUm or woolen mill; depression in 
business coming on, this frame was allowed to stand unenclosed for several 
years, and was fast falling to the ground, when, in October, 1830, Samuel and 
John Rockwood conveyed to Daniel Stone si.x acres of land with one-half the 
dam and water-privilege, also one-fourth part of a piece of land and one-fourth 
part of the saw-mill. Mr. Stone built a grist and saw mill, and also the first 
bouse among those now standing in North Dana, and for several years did a 
good business. A small store was started by J. S. Brown, several more 
houses were put up and the place was called 8lonesville, which name it bore 
until the establishment of a post-office, iu 1846, when it was called North 
Dana. This village has been the seat of a most flourishing and profitable 
business in the manufacture of pianoforte legs. About the year 1840 Mr. 
Stone sold his entire mill property to Mr. Warren Hale, a young man who had 
been employed by the Gilberts of Boston in the manufacture of piano legs, 
lie obtained a contract from them and commenced the manufacture, buttinding 
the work to bo very slow with the hand tools then used, he, with the assistance 
of Dr. Allen Goodman, invented a machine for making them, and they took 
out a patent in July, 1845. A great revolution in the business was now 
ellccted, for a man with one of these machines was able to do the work of one 
hundred men without, and far more perfectly. They now carried on the 
business until 1850, these machine legs coming into general use, and being 
shipped to all the cities and towns in the United States where pianofortes were 
made. In 1850, Mr. Hale sold out his entire interest to Messrs. Slimpsou & 
Doane. In 1854, a new company was organized, with the tirm-name of 
Johnson, Stimpson & Co., with a working capital of $21,000. The members 
of the company were George T. Johuson, C. N. Stimpson, Warreu Stimpson, 



STATISTICS. 417 



"William Stinipson, Silas F. Liudscy, Allen Goodman and Nelson Bosvvorth. 
The company were bnrnt out in December, 1856, with a loss exceeding 
$20,000, partially insured, and again suffered by fire in Oi'tol)er, 1857. The 
company was dissolved in 1859, when (he business was purchased by Mr. 
Warren Hale ; it was continued for some time by Messrs. Ilalc, J. W. Goodman 
and A. W. Goodman, and is now carried on by J. W. Goodman, who also 
makes billiard-table legs. Jonathan E. Stone, now of Erving, also manufac- 
tured pianoforte legs quite extensively in North Dana. 

The New England Box Company is now doing a large business. 

The population of Dana at different periods has been as follows: — 1810, 
G25; 1820,064; 1830,623; 1840,691; 1850, 842 ; 1855, 824; 1860,876; 
1865, 789; 1870, 758; 1875, 760. 

The census report of 1875 gives the number of fixrms as 118, valued at 
$185,423. There were 182 houses occupied by 197 families. 

The valuation of the town was $302,106, of which $225,595 was real estate, 
and $76,511 personal propert}'. 

The products of manufactures amounted to $115,510, and of agriculture to 
$73,043. 

There were four establishments pi'odncing sawed lumber valued at $29,750; 
palm-leaf goods to the value of $44,800, and pianoforte and billiard-table legs 
amounting to $31,000. 

Dr. Daniel Lindscy, 85 years of age, and who was in active practice about 
twenty-five years in Dana, is the oldest man. Martha Johnson, relict of 
Nathaniel Johnson, 88 years of age, is the oldest woman. 

Marshall L. Lindsey, M. D., son of Dr. Daniel, is the present physician 
(allopathist). 

In 1841 a union church was built in North Dana on land donated by Warren 
H. Amsden. 

The railroad from Springfield to At hoi passes through North Dana, where 
there is a depot, two stores, union church, public hull, recently built by Swift 
River Lodge of Good Templars, and about sixty dwellings. 

At Dana there are two stores, a Congregational Church and town hall. 

In 1809-10 the town was visited by an epidemic called the spotted fever. It 
baffled medical skill, and carried off many of the prominent citizen*, among 
whom were Tilly Foster, Simeon Gleason and Jonathan Whittemore, who was 
the first person attacked and lived only about twelve hours. Forty to fifty 
persons died from this disease in Dana. At first it was called by the wags of 
the neighboring towns of Barre and Petersham the Dana fever; it, however, 
soon spread into those towns, producing the greatest constcruiUion and terror 
among the inhabitants. A remedy was finally found in French brandy, which 
was given the patients in very large doses when first attacked. 

In 1816, Indian corn was almost entirely destroyed, by what is known as 
the great frost , h\\\. Dawa ha.<\ an abundant crop of rye, and her neighliors of 



418 TOWN OF DANA. 



Petersham, Barre and Hardwick gladly availed themselves of this production 
of the soil of Dana for bread, and ridiciilo of "little Dana" was tliereaflcr 
never heard. 

Senator. — Nathaniel L. Johnson, 1873-4. 

Iiepre.<enta(ives.—'SiiXhi\mc\ Williams, 1811-12-27-29; Stephen Johnson, 
1813 ; ApoUos Johnson, 1823 ; Ephraim Whipple, Esq., 1830 ; Reulien Sibley, 
1831 ; Italy Foster, 1833-39, 1811-42 ; John Glcason, 1834 ; Nathaniel Johnson, 
1835; John Towne, 1830; Nathan Stone, 1837; Benjamin Richardson, 1847; 
D.miel Stone, 1849-51; Leonard Doane, 1852; Orzt«n Towne, 1853; Albert 
Amsdcn, 1854; Nathaniel L Johnson, 1857-00-71 ; Allen Goodman, 18G4. 

Constitutional Convention. — Samuel H. Richardson, 1853. 

Toum Chris.— JotA Amsden, 1801-4; Elkanah Ilaskins, 1805-0; Abiol 
Parmenter, 1807-9; Stephen Johnsmi, 1810-11; Ephraim Whipple, 1812-13 
and 1818-28 ; Justice Woods, 1814-17, 1830 ; Dr. Joseph Giddings 1829-35 ; 
ApoUos Johnson, 1837; Italy Foster, 1838-39-40; Frauk Lombard, 1841; 
Hiram A. Meacham, 1842-15, 1847-50; Daniel Russell, 1810; George T. 
Johnson, 1851-50, 1859-00; M. J. Iliilman, 1857-58; David L.Richards, 
1801 to and including 1879. 

Toivn Officers, 1870. — Ezra Comce, Charles N. Doane, Nehemiah II. 
Doublcday, selectmen; David L. Richards, treasurer; Moses T. Knapp, Miss 
M. J. Richardson, Edwin C. Haskins, school committee. 

The valuation in 1879 was $205,000. Polls, 209. Houses, 170. 

Stephen Johnson, whose name so often appears in this history, was a remark- 
able man. He received a commission as justice of the peace soon after 
the incorporation of the town and held it until his death. In [)olitics he was a 
Jackson Democrat, in religion a Universalist. Ho was a soldier in the war 
of the Revolution, and died Dec. 2, 1855, aged 85 years. The following 
obituary notice was written by his friend. Rev. Ilosca Ballou, and published 
soon after his death : — 

" Not only as a Christian and a Universalist, is Mr. Johnson's memory precious and 
honoraMe, but also on account of the moral character he sustained. As a husband, a 
father, a brother, a relative, and a member of commuiiily, all will bear testimony to 
Ills worth. He was a man of uncommon penetration of mind ; could sec through a 
subject at a glance ; and had the most wonderful faculty of embodying the whole in 
such a manner as to express in a single sentence what it would require others no little 
labor to explain ; and this he would do in such a i)cculiar way as even to give a sort 
of electric shock to those who listened. He delighted greatly in the Republican princi. 
pies of oui- government, and free institutions : and was one of the few, who by their 
service, contributed to the independence of our country, who have lived so long to 
enjoy the fruits of their labors." 

Among the original one hundred and fourteen inhabitants, there were many 
men, good and true, and their names arc cherished in grateful remembrance. 
Daniel Stone, Esq., says : — 



PROMINENT CITIZENS. 410 

"My father came to North Dana in 1804, three years after the town was incor- 
porated. He bouglit of Daniel Gould, one of the 114 inhabitants, 100 acres and 
continued to add to it, until at his death ho died seized of 500 acres all adjoining. lie 
had a great anxiety for many years that the water of Swift River should be put to some 
manufacturing use, and from this fact commenced the building of the village at North 
Dana." 

Tbeodoro W. Johnson, a native of Dana, moved to Worcester a few years 
ago, and his son, Theodore S., attoniey-at-law, is at the present time one of the 
aids of Gov. Talbot. Ilis son Charles R., a graduate of Harvard College, has 
lately been admitted to the bar in his native county. Dana has sent forth from 
her little territory many men who have made their mark in the business world. 
The Amsdcus of Athol are of Dana stock, and many have gone West. Among 
those who have been zealous workers to promote the growth and prosperity of 
Dana are the members of the Goodman family ; the Hales ; the Liudseys ; 
Daniel Stone, Esq.; the Stimpsous ; and Nathaniel L. Johnson, Esq., who is 
one of the directors of Barre National Bank, and Vice-President of Barre 
Savings Bank ; and there are many other citizens who have displayed energy 
and enterprise. There are also numbers of thrifty farmers within the limits of 
the town of Dana. 

The thanks of the author are cordially extended to Daniel Stone, Esq., for 
the use of his manuscripts, and for much historical information; also to 
Hon. N. L. Johnson, for very valuable aid in obtaining facts for this the first 
published history of Dana. And to all others who have rendered assistance 
and furnished information, the author is grateful. 



420 TOWN OF DOUGLAS. 



DOUGLAS 



BY WILLIAM A. EMERSON. 



CHAPTER I. 

BEGINNING OF THE SETTLEMENT AREA AND BOUNDARIES WATER AND 

SOIL — GEOLOGY — FORESTS — POPULATION — GRANTS AND ALLOTMENTS — 
EARLY TRAVEL AND PUBLIC HOUSES SHARE OF THE TOWN IN THE REVOLU- 
TION shays' REBELLION — SPIRIT OF DOUGLAS IN THE WAR OF SECESSION. 

The precise date of first occupation by whites of the territory now callecl 
Douglas, is not known, but is presumed to have been as early as 1715. Most 
of the first settlers came from Sherburn, and the rest from Natick ; the whole, 
however, reckoned themselves as of the former place, and Iheir youthful settle- 
ment was only called "New Sherburn " for mauy years. The present name of 
Douglas was given in 174G, in compliment to Dr. William Douglas of Boston, 
who, in consideration of the honor implied, gave the new town $500 (old 
tenor) for a permanent school fund. This fund remains to the present time. 

As now limited, this town covers thirty-three square miles, or twenty-one 
thousand acres. On the north it has Oxford, Sutton and Uxbridgc ; on the 
east, Sutton and Uxbridge ; with Burrillville, R. I., on the south ; and Thomp- 
son, Conn., and Webster, Mass., on the west. The direct distance from 
Boston is forty-five miles. The face of the country is well varied, and fully 
watered. "Bald Ilill " rises to seven hundred and eleven feet altitude, "Wal- 
lum Pond Hill" to seven hundred and seventy-eight feet, "Mount Daniel" to 
seven hundred and thirty-five feet. Wallum Pond covers one hundred and fifty 
acres within the town, lying in the sf)uth-west ; Bad-luck Pond, in the west, has 
one hundred and ten acres ; Reservoir Pond, also in the west, four liinulrcd acres ; 
and Manchaiig Pond, in the north, ninety-three acres inside the boundary line. 

The geological structure is granitic, heavily covered with drift, and with 
occasional metallic veins, none of which pay for Avorking. The business of 
quarrying is profitable, however, and great quantities of superior building 
stone arc cut and carried far and wide. The soil is generally excellent, and 
farming is almost everywhere remunerative ; the whole territory, however, is 
fiir from being subdued. The fimous " Douglas Woods " lie in the western 



EARLY SETTLEMENT. 421 

section, occui)3'iiig soino six tbousaiul acres, generally with heavy limber 
growth, hut almost without an inhabitant. Near the northern line, just within 
the township of Sutton, is a wild, uiiinluibilal)lc district called "Pui'gatory," 
being a fearful gorge or chasm in the rocks, ol'ten seventy feet deep, and not 
more than titty wide, in which ice often remains through the summer. 

This town lies in the district once tenanted chielly by the Nipmuck Indians, 
who frequented all the valley of the Blackstone liiver. Frecpient discoveries 
of arrow-heads and other stone implements are made, and it appears plain that 
these peculiarly peaceable Lidians lived very amicalily with the whites till the 
great war of 1G75, each party seeming to pay singular regard to the rights and 
necessities of the other. 

The general elevation above the nearer river valleys is considerable, giving 
the town a free and very pure atmosphere, highly conducive to health and com- 
fort. The population has increased, from the first, in a way that clearly 
betraj's this fact, as we see by the following statement, showing the successive 
figures of the census since 1790: ITHO, 1,079; 1800, 1,083; 1810, 1,142; 
1820, 1,375; 1830, 1,742; 1840, 1,617; 1850, 1,878; 1860, 2,442; 1875, 
2,202. 

The "New Grant," as this township was so long entitled, was at first a tract 
of four thousand acres, granted to the town of Sherburn in reparation of their 
loss by the setting off seventeen of their families to Framingham in 1700. 
Fifteen years after they obtained three thousand acres more, and soon purchased 
three thousand seven hundred acres besides. All this was divided to the settled 
inhabitants. Before 1730, twenty proprietors had secured another grant to 
them, privately, of four thousand five hundi'ed and twenty-four acres near the 
corner of Connecticut. Afterward, there were numerous lesser grants to 
different parties, all these sufficing together to cover the whole township. The 
first white settler was Ephraim Ilill ; and, 1721, ihe town gave him twenty 
acres on account of this fact. 

From 1716 to 1735 the chief concern of the settlement seems to have been 
the allotment of their extensive wild lands, a task of much complication, and 
not a little tedious. It did not simplify it to have considerable shares of the 
property owned in Sherburn (now Sheiborn) and in IloUiston, both which 
towns were pretty vigorous in their movements in the premises. But a ques- 
tion of far greater moral breadth was before them by this time. In 1748 
we find the townsmen of Douglas agitating a debate as to whether all free- 
holders, that is, owners of real estate in fee simple, were entitled to the right 
of suffrage. It embroiled the town for a whole year, led to the annulling of 
everything done at one town meeting, and required the action of the General 
Court, and a board of referees under it, before it finally came to rest. The 
ultimate decision seems to have been that the property qualification alone was 
not sufficient to confer the privilege of voting. 

As the main street in Douglas formed part of the direct route from New 



422 TOWN OF DOUGLAS. 

York and the towns of Connecticut to Boston, it very early became a famous 
sta<»c-route, and several IkjIcIs were kept in constant business, in which one or 
two yet continue, but the n-.ost have found other uses. A principal one was 
at the Centre, kept by Paul Dudley, another near the Lower Village factory, 
and a rather notaJ^le one on the "Caleb Hill place," where ihc house is still 
preserved in all its old and interesting arrangements. 

It would be a great oversight if, even in a short sketch like this, tlie part 
taken by this little town in the Revolutionary struggle were not fittingly noticed. 
A preliminary fact of great importance is, that in that day the available popula- 
tion was not quite three hundred. Yet the town kept scventy-tive men in 
the army nearly or all the time of the war. In 1774 the seventh Massachusetts 
regiment was apportioned to this town, together with Mendon, Uxbridge, 
Northbridge and Upton. When the convention met at Worcester, Aug. 19, 
1774, to consider the state of the country, Douglas was represented by Samuel 
Jcnnison, who was u member of two important committees, — on public affairs 
and on resolutions. It was he who bore the celebrated request of this conven- 
tion to the judges of the sitting courts, that they would not farther cooperate 
with Parliament against the people. lie delivered his message with great 
spirit, and was able to bring back an assurance of ready compliance from 
twenty-one of the whole number of judges. Somewhat later, Oct. 7, 1774, 
Mr. Jcnnison was a member of the Provincial Congress at Salem, and wa8 
concerned in that remarkable message, forwarded to Gov. Gage, in which the 
Congress informed him that " the fortress commanding the South entrance to 
the town of Boston mud he demolished, and the pass restored to its natural 
State." This measure, though audacious to the last degree, was not in advance 
of the general sentiment in Douglas and her sister towns ; and this was shown 
by the warm support given to Rlr. Jcnnison by his constituency, who not only 
approved his course, but returned him to the next session of the Congress, at 
Cambridge, in the February following. 

When the war actually came, the town was ready. In 1775 they had a 
grand muster, in January, when a corps of minute-men were chosen, and would 
have been paid, but who refused all compensation. A little later, when the 
oppressed people of Boston finally were allowed by Gage to flee from the city, 
Douglas opened her arms, as did other towns about her, and entertained and pro- 
tected twenty-two of the refugees till they could provide for themselves. When 
the Declaration of Independence was received, it was approved by the town with- 
out a vote against it; while, to show that they meant what they said, they 
voted an immediate supply of entrenching tools for the army, a half dozen 
each of several different kinds. In fact, at this time, and all through the later 
stages of affairs, this community was always ready and faithful, even generous 
in its patriotism, and no instance appears in which they hesitated over, or 
showed opposition to, any of the outcoming measures, or other results of the 
tedious contest. 



INSURRECTION OF SHAYS. 423 

In a single instance does Iho last statement require some qualification. In 
17S4-5, arrived the culmination of tlic effect of tiio first influtiou of the 
national currenc}"", wbicli had been so necessary a measure for carrying on the 
activities of the war. Then canio that sure, inevitable, hut always p:iinfid and 
terribly obscure process, never yet avoided in lilce case, the final division 
and distribution of looses among the people. Of course it had to l)o done by 
stages: the first failures were for largo amounts, and these liabilities were 
slowly spread out over the length and breadth of the population. Every man 
who held a dollar of government credit must meet his due percentage of loss, 
and this could never be known or calculated beforehand. Ilcncc the number 
of attempts to collect the fidl amount of debts was prodigious, for nothing 
seemed to show creditors that they and their debtors were certainly doomed 
to share the loss between them. The people were unaccustomed to any such 
system of dividend, and neither debtor nor creditor was satisfied. No one 
could abide the thought of a depreciation of currency ; and while they insisted 
that the "Continental" dollar was a dollar still, they of course thought that 
salaries and foes had risen oppressively, not making allowance for any change 
of market values. Thus the number of suits for debt increased Idio the 
multiplying of the locusts : in 1784 more than two thousand actions were 
entered iii Worcester County, then containing less than fifty thousand people. 
In 1785 there were seventeen hundred. Lands and goods were seized on 
execution ; but nobody had the means to buy, and the sacrifices were appalling. 
The courts saw no use in delaying the process, and refused to suspend judg- 
ments ; the lawyers' offices were thronged ; and finally the sufferers, after 
ineffectual petitions for the abolition of the courts, resolved that such oppressive 
proceedings should go no further. For this purpose they adopted a course, 
common enough in the tuibulcut populations of Europe, but which looks strangely 
absurd to us in these days of better understanding. Tlicy rallied in open 
revolt, and marched to the siege and suppression of the sittings of court, first 
in September and again in December, 178G, when they succeeded in breaking 
up the session in Worcester in both cases. lu the next January the court sat 
again, and Gov. Bowdoin's soldiers convinced the malcontents that the law was 
and would be higher than the mob, and stronger than insurrection. This was 
under the notorious Daniel Shays ; and thus we identify this dangerous move- 
ment as the memorable " Shays Rebellion." 

This arch-rioter seems not to have lived in Douglas personally ; but ho hnd 
many supporters hereabout, and on one occasion incited them to a bloody fight 
with the town ofBcers at Hill's tavei'u, where they rescued a herd of cattle that 
bad been seized to be sold for taxes. This appears to have been the worst 
development of the rebellion in this town. Afterward, in 1790, the people 
were so well quieted that they very readily adopted the new State Constitution 
submitted to them on the eighth day of May. They had, indeed, rejected the 
first Constitution, offered in 1788, aud refused to scud a representative to the 



424 TOWN OF DOUGLAS. 



General Court; but this seems not to liuvc indicated any spirit of dis- 
loyalty. 

The national relations of tiiis town cannot bo better summed np than by 
adding here a l)ricf note of its action in the war of secession. Its contril)ution 
of men was greater as to population, and of money was larger as to valuation, 
llian those of an}'^ other town in Worcesty Count}'. In the five years, Douglas 
gave a total of $12,0.50.97 for State aid ; and for the other war purposes 
$30,734.30. Two hundred and forty-two men were sent to the field. Tliirt\'- 
six are known to have lost their lives. Town meetings on the subject began 
^lay 7, 18GI, and continued till the close of the conflict, with every sign of 
popular determination to sustain the national integritj-, and the most gratifying 
proofs tliat the spirit that dwelt in the fithers and animated them in the daj's 
of the Revolutionary trial, still remained warmly glowing in the bosoms of their 
posterity. 



CHAPTER II. 

FIRST cnuncn and minister — ciiuRcn iv east douglas — methodist 
cnuRcnES — Quakers — catholics — public education — toe "squadron " 

SYSTEM — CLUBS AND SOCIETIES LOCAL PRESS — MANUFACTURES — THE 

AXE business — OLD FAMILIES AND ANCESTRIES. 

TiiR first minister of the people of Douglas appears to have been Rev. 
"William Phipps, who was formerly settled (or ordained or installed, as all 
these terms seem to bo quite loosely used) over their Congregational Church, 
Nov. 11, 1747. The meeting-house was then indeed begun; but it was not 
in a really finished condition till at least forty-two years later, or in 1789. 
Yet it was doubtless occupied in 1748 ; for the spirit of the people then did 
not allow them to hesitate about divine worship, merely because paint or 
plaster might happen to bo wanting. At first, Mr. Phipps was engaged for 
seven years ; but by 1701 the plan of hiring by the single Sabbath, or b}' the 
year, was adopted in preference. Then some effort was made to reduce the 
former salary ; but the minister promptly offered the alternative of leaving it 
as it was or giving him a dismission. For a time the question hung in doubt, 
but at length the separation took place, the church dismissed the pastor and 
paid him £60 for damages on account of removal. 

Mr. Phipps was succeeded by Rev. Isaac Stone, and he, finding it hard to 
collect his pay, also endeavored, in 1789, to obtain a dismissal. But the 
pco|)1c were averse to this, being largely attached to their minister; and, after 
a lawsuit had failed of any good effect, ho suljmiftod a plan which finally 
cleared up the whole. This was for the town to buy fjrhim "the Mr. Whiting 



CHURCHES FORMED. 425 

I'lacc," oil conveyance of which to him ho gave up all claim to salary, and agreed 
to serve for the next ten years at least. The scheme was adopted, and the place 
pnt in his possession, April 1, 1792; when ho formally released the town 
from further salary grants as ho had agreed. Yet they gave him £85 
that year, and something every year after. He stayed all the ten years he had 
promised; hut iu 1805 became convinced that his people saw no further 
usefulness in him, and therefore obtained a separation. 

AVe next find this pulpit in charge of Rev. David Holman, a graduate of 
Brown University, who was ordained on the 18th of October, 1808. The 
church was very low, only twenty-seven members belonging. Ho remained 
over it the same long time as his predecessor, viz., thirty-four years ; baptizing 
three hundred and sixty persons, and receiving two hundred and tu-enty-six 
members. He saw the church in its best, and pcrhnps its worst days ; for by 
1842 a period of great depression had again arrived, and ho was destined to 
the same fortune as those before him. After his dismission ho still lived in 
town, and died here, Nov. 16, 186G, aged eighty-nine years. No other pastor 
of the same long continuance has appeared since. For short terms the peoplo 
have had the ministrations of Revs. John "W. Salter, Gilbert B. Richardson, 
John D. Smith, Francis Dyer, Amos Holbrook, J. W. C. Pike, W. AV. Dow 
and others. The last named remains to the present time. 

A second Congregational church was organized in East Douglas, June 12, 
1834. Twent}'-nino petitioners, thirteen mules and sixteen females, made up 
the first membership, and Rev. John Boardmau became pastor Feb. 25, 1835. 
He died in 1841, and was followed by Rev. Chauncy D. Rice, December 7 of 
that year. He was dismissed in exactly ten years, on account of ill-health, and 
Rev. Joshua L. Maynard took his place, July 7, 1852. After more than 
eleven years, he left in turn, his successors being Rev. S. M. Piympton and 
Rev. William T. Briggs. The former died in about a year, but the latter is 
still in charge of this society. 

A Methodist church was formed in South Douglas in 1808, who built the 
present house of worship at that time. Elder Pliny Brett was pastor till 1815, 
when the church was led by him to change itself to a church of "Reformed 
Methodists." It was afterward ministered to by Elder Yates, but has lately 
had no settled i)astor. Another IMcthodist church, of the same persuasion, 
was gathered in East Douglas in 1844, over which Rev. Solomon P. Snow first 
had charge. He was followed by Revs. William G. Clark, W. D. Jones, 
David Mason, S. E. Pike, George G. Perkins, S. Leader, S. E. Pike, R. S. 
Cobb and W. Wilkie. During 1866 the church became reckoned with the 
"Wesleyan" wing of the Methodist body, but very soon after was reclaimed to 
the original fold of the Episcopal Methodists, whence the whole departure had 
been at first. Since then, in 1872, a new and commodious house was built in 
the centre of the village. 

There is a relic of an old society of Quakers in the South Village, but no 



426 TOWN OF DOUGLAS. 



records relating to it seem to exist. Tlielr vciieraMts bouse was a lonely object 
for a great while, and was reported to he liaimtid. It was finally removed, 
and the ghosts probably left at the same time. Sonic aver that the spirits 
remained in the building, l)ut took on a more vit^ible and tangible form. 

A Catholic church was opened in East Douglas, in 1!S65, by residents there 
and in Manchang Village. They had long before met in the Whitlii 
Tavern. They were cared for b}' Father Sheridan, and afterward by 
Father O'Kecfc. Later they had the services of Father Moran, and 
then of Father Gagnier, who bought and established a parsonage. Father 
Conllard followed, but had an assistant during 1878, being in failing health. 
This assistant, llcv. A. Ddphos, succeeded to the pastorate on the death of his 
principal, which occurred April IG, 1879. 

In rcCcrciice to public education wo find that this town took early :iction, 
much after the fashion of all the Xcw England communities. The first record 
appears in 1748, when the town voted that a school should be kept three 
months in the summer season. In all probability one school-house had then 
been built, and it seems to have been the ancient one in the Centre Village. It 
was then almost in the unbroken woods, and the children made daily journeys 
to it that would appal those of modern times. In the next year the three 
mouths schooliug was made six. By 1750 they voted to sell "ye school lot" 
at auction, and a year later, to invest the money. When 1752 came, they 
ai^propriated £2 2.s. Sd. to support the school, which seems to have been of the 
kind found elsewhere at that da}', that moved about, holding sessions here and 
there, like a circuit court. The year 1754 made the grant £0, and 1757 
carried it up to £10. 

The town was districted into five "squadrons" in the 3"car 17G4, because it 
was desired to establi.-h military drill and keep it, along with other instruction. 
This had a slii^ht flavor of the Prussian method. Ten years later, in 1774, the 
squadrons counted six, and £125 were voted to pay expenses incurred in 
them. 

From 1747 to 1770 the town was paying from £2 to £20 annually for educa- 
tional uses. Certain lands had been given for this purpose by Dr. William 
Douglas, and by the town of Sherborn ; these were slowly sold, and the 
proceeds invested, by which enough was gained in 17G3 to have the accrued 
interest support five schools, variously placed. After 1782 schools began to 
multiply rapidly, and new squadrons were formed to sustain them. The 
selectmen had always served as school committee, but in November, 1790, a 
distinct committee was chosen, of three persons in each district. After this the 
manner and method of the town presents nothing very different from all other 
New England towus. The style of school building improved rapidly, but the 
system pursued within in the development of a better civilization among the 
people, is much more to bo regarded and remembered. Three new houses, 
aggregating $439 cost, were erected iu 1799, which was no doubt thought a 



CLUBS AND SOCIETIES. 427 



great ciitcrpriso Hion, but has been left out of sight a groat wliilc by the larger 
idea8 and liberal poliey of the day in which we now live. 

Douglas has always been a place of sufficiently socid character to induce the 
formation of many clubs, l)ands and societies of a variety of kinds. Nearly the 
oldest, certainly one of the worthiest of these, was the "Douglas Social 
Library." It was formed in 1799, April 8, with Rev. Isaac Stone for librarian. 
The commencement was made with about sixty volumes. It seems never to 
have increased much in size. In 18L5 Rev. David Holmim became librarian, 
and in 1825 the books were brought to his house and finally offered for sale. 
But no one cared to buy, and the last that was done with the books was to 
leave them where they were. The "Douglas Lyceum" started in 1872, went 
on with much flourish and stir till 1875, debating all sorts of questions, and in 
the well-known style of such bodies. Then, their old hall being refused them, 
they made some efforts to hold up, but soon came to an end, and passed 
beyond recovery. Then was organized a new society, called the "Social 
Union," for literary purposes. This lived about a year. Just about the same 
time the "Douglas Literary Society" was organized, with nine members, both 
sexes included. Since then the membership has reached twenty-six, and a high 
degree of talent has been shown in the public performances. A library of one 
hundred volumes is kept, and the whole seems very flourishing. 

The "Douglas Library Association" is the greatest success of this descrip- 
tion in the town. It began from an agricultural library, and was only known 
as such till April 10, 1865, when it took its present name. The number of 
volumes has gone up to 600. A central location is had on Main Street, in 
good rooms, and the public patronage is very liberal. lu March, 1879, the 
town accepted the library, making an appropriation for its maintenance, and it 
is now a Free Public Library. 

The "East Douglas Musical Society" was organized March 15, 1868, and has 
done some extremely good execution. It still shows much activity, and has 
the satisfaction of looking back on several very fine performances. 

A vigorous military band was here as early as 1800. It passed through 
many changes, and finally broke up about 1840. Two enthusiastic players 
succeeded in again awakening public interest, and another band was formed 
that lasted till 1859. The war broke up the one that then succeeded it, and 
none was on foot again till 1870, when a fresh organization was effected, which 
ran into that now in operation, June 2, 1875. This band still endures. 

Beside the above societies, there are or have been the "Union Lodge I. O. 
of O. F," now disbanded; "Howard Lodge I. O. of G. T.," also given up; 
"Mumford River Lodge A. F. and A. M.," still flouri^^hing; a "Union 
Temperance Society," passed away; and the "East Douglas Reform Club," 
that continues active, and promises much future usefulness. 

In the history of its newspaper press this town has as pleasant and instruc- 
tive facts to present as can often be met in such places. Yi t they arc all 



428 TOWN OF DOUGLAS. 



comprised in a short period, for it was not til! tlie latter pirt cf 1867 that 
Gustavus B. Quimb\' and George W. Spencer, jonrneymcn printers from the 
Webster "Times" Office, decided to start the Douglas " Ilcrai.i " in the East 
Yilla"e. They had much encouragement from the agent of the Axe Company 
and others of influence, and the paper was commenced in a huml^le wa}', and 
continued through many changes of fortune, but with a very ardent and 
generous support from the citizens, for something like three years. The bona 
fide circulation was then about four hundred copies. An accessory sheet, 
called the " Whitinsville Compendium," was issued regularly from the same 
office. Some further changes were had at later dates, and then, Oct. 4, 1873, 
the paper was removed to Uxbridge, though the job office connected with it 
remained, having been sold to Mr. C. J. Batchcller. The change of location 
seems not to have alienated the support of the " Herald " in this town, as under 
its present name of the "Worcester South Compendium" it is still regarded as 
the local organ. 

Other papers attempted have been "The Advertiser," a monthly sheet, by 
C. J. Batchcller, in 1874; "Our Home Journal," W. D. Bridge & Co., 1877, 
and "The Engravers' Proof-Sheet," an illustrated paper, by William A. 
Emerson, October, 1877. Some other valuable publications have issued from 
Mr. Batcheller's office. We will here allude to the fict that within the present 
year (1870) a very complete history of the town of Douglas has been published 
from the pen of the author of this sketch. In this, which is an illustrated 
work of over 350 pages, a much more complete view of the subject can be 
found than we have space for in this general work. 

The manufactures of Douglas form a subject that might well occupy a long 
chapter, but must here bo treated briefly. The common experience of almost 
all civilized nations at this day is adequate warrant for reckoning the making 
of axes at tiic very head of such a list of industries. The Douglas axes arc 
now everywhere known. It is also to bo remembered that about 1708 Joseph 
and Oliver Hunt began to make them in East Douglas. After a time increasing 
business led them to start a new shop at Douglas Centre, which Oliver took 
charge of, while Joseph stayed at the old stand. Then came a failure, after 
which other parties helped them up, and the business went on with varying 
success. Finally it all settled in the hands of Oliver Hunt, who soon, with 
the help of his sons, Warren and Olis, pushed the business up to a permanent 
footing. Benjamin Cragin became general salesman about this time, and had 
great success. When about eighteen years of age, Warren Hunt took charge 
of affairs, enlarged the shops, now several in number, and built now ones 
beside. In 1832, or thereabout, Alexander Scudder, a retired shipmaster, 
became a partner, and remained with Hunt some three 3'ears, then sold out to 
him and left. In 1835 the present "Douglas Axe Manufacturing Company " 
was formed, whose continued works have gained themselves a name in every 
place where fine and faithful workmanship can be appreciated. Besides 



INDUSTRIES AND FAMILIES. 429 

Warren Hunt, we are told of some twenty others, of different names and 
fortunes, who, at some time, have each been engaged in axe-making in the town, 
which thus seems plainly to assert its native precedency in this most useful 
industry. In other departrarnts of labor we find here a large shoddy-mill, 
with eighteen cards and six pickers, engaging a capital of $50,000, and run by 
Lee & Murdock ; a commodious carriage manufactory,- with ten-horsc-power 
engine, by S. Logee ; and three hc;ivy grist-mills, one of which, owned by A. 
J. Thayer, has a capable saw-mill attached. The others are the old "Eagle 
Mills," first built at a dnto unknown, but materially rebuilt in 1795; and 
Wcllman's Mills, erected as late as 1877, and driven by steam. Further 
than these must be mentioned the planing-mill of Joseph T. and Ira W.allis ; 
fulling-mill of Samuel Lcgg, and several manufactories of plows, shoes and 
leather, now discontinued. Somewhat fuller notice is due to the woolen 
business, which, in the lino of satinets, Avas distinctly begun in this town. 
Benjamin Cragin commenced as early as, say 1810, though not weaving at 
that time. The business was afterward conducted by J. Adams & Co. After 
a time this firm passed from satinets to cassimeres, going on till 1828, when 
the business collapsed. The privilege now belongs to the Axe Company, the 
old factory having been burned. A cotton-factory once existed here, founded 
by Col. Ezekiel Preston in 1808. The business, however, met with many 
changes, and finally passed into the hands of the Axe Company likewise. 

We will terminate this sketch by some brief notice of a few of the more 
notable families represented among this people. Hill : This family is 
descended from John Ilill, at Plymouth 1G32, next year at Dorchester, and 
died 1664. Hunt: These are from Ezekiel Hunt, in Douglis a century aso, 
son of Ezekiel, of Concord, third generation from the first settler. Thater : 
Progeny of Thomas Thayer, a first settler, at Braintree before 1750. WniPPLE : 
Descendants of John Whipple, liorn 1716, and who lived in Smithfield. 
Rawsox: The posterity of Edward Rawson of England, born 1615. Wallis : 
A Scotch family from Benjamin Wallis, from Seekonk to Douglas in 1750. 
Dudley: Descended from Francis Dudley, at Concord 1663. 

Many more very interesting genealogies might be traced as connected here, 
had wc space for the purpose, and a large number of most deserving private 
characters tire only denied suitable Ijiographical notice for the same reason. 



430 TOWN OF DUDLEY. 



DUDLEY. 



BY REV. ZEPHANIAH BAKER. 



CHAPTER I. 



LOCATION AND TOPOGR.\Pnr — NATURAL PRODUCTIONS — EARLY FAMILIES — 
PRIMITIVE MANNERS INDI.\N MEMORIALS CHURCH FOUNDATION ORTHO- 
DOX MINISTRY OTHER DENOMINATIONS. 

Loc.\TED on the southern line of the State, in lat. 41° 56' N., Ion. 71° 54' 
W., and between the French river on the cast an<l the Quincbaug on the west, 
Dudley occupies a range of land of extreme fertility. Its scenery is gener- 
ally thought to be unequalcd by any in the State. Parties of extensive 
traveled experience pronounce it lovely, and artists have put some of it ou 
canvas that has been admired. Besides the above-named rivers, which aflbrd 
half a dozeu good water privileges, there are ponds affording power for 
machinery, and amply stocked with fish, — pickerel, pout and perch,— with 
roach, shiner and trout in the brooks, affording sport for the young and food 
for many families. There arc ten pouds wholly or in part iu this town. 

Wild animals abound here, some in undesired quantities, such as the fox, 
skunk, woodchuck, &c. liirds are less abundant thau formerly, but now that 
the youth have learned, in some degree, to love and respect them, these arc 
becoming less fearful of us, and seek homes in yards and shrubbery around 
the houses, secure from most of their enemies, unless, perhaps, the cat. Ihc 
faithful dog is not always in his proper place, as the death record of sheep 
each year indicates. Water-fowl tind room in the ponds and rivers ; the wild 
geese, in spring and fall, being wont to stay for rest and recreation as they 
make their semi-annual pilgrimage toward pole or equator. 

This town borders Charlton and Oxford on the noith, Oxford and Webster 
ou the east, Sonthl)ridge on the west, and Thompson and Woodstock, in Con- 
necticut, ou the 8(mth. It has an area of 20 square miles, or 13,000 acres; 
population, 2,800, two-thirds of whom arc counecled with the diffeiuit mills. 
It is noteworthy that scarcely an idler is to be found among them. The valua- 
tion is a million, seven-tenths of which is real estate. There are near 500 



EARLY FAMILIES. 431 



cows, 200 hor»es, 100 ilugs, and 50 sheep; about 550 polls, and a few more 
school children ; militia roll, 150. 

There is nothing pcculijir in the geological formation. The town has abun- 
dance of rocks, by some called granite, though not truly so, which are in ex- 
tensive use fur building and monumental purposes, and are held in highest 
esteem. Timber and Avood of nearly all kinds are here grown in abundance, 
and of the best quality. Fruits, vegetables, grains, grasses, all prosper with 
suital)le care, the soil and aspect of the lands being favora!)le. The farming 
interests are as fortunate as need be ; and home markets take all that is pro- 
duced, exccjit the apple ciop, which, in good seasons, is shipped. 

The zoological specimens arc hardly excelled by those of any town in the 
State ; the ponds and rivers give the best chances for fish, and water-fowl find 
full convenience for their habits. Eattlesnakes did once abound around Taylor 
Hill Ledge; but there is a tradition they were all imprisoned in a cave and 
died there. Sportsmen find ducks, partridges and pigeons, quails, woodcocks, 
rabbits and squirrels, enough to induce a continuance of the business, though 
no one has as yet grown rich in this way. 

Dudley comes within the area of the largest rainfall in the State, having forty- 
six inches a year. Of trees and shrubs, it affords nearly all reported for the 
State, while its smaller iiora is equally extensive. The zoological collections, 
in each division, are full of interest to the student of Natural History. Like 
many of the towns in the county, its agricultural sections are not increasing in 
population ; but few of the jouug men reared on the farm remain to manage it. 
There is not the care with them there once was, to make them experts in those 
things that are found to furnish the best means to induce a love for the occu- 
pation. The farmers here suffer most of all for the want of intelligent help. 
Many of them fail in their business just for the want of a proper knowledge 
of its requirements; and hence many changes have been made lately in pro- 
prietorship. 

Dudley has sixty-two miles of highway to keep in repair, and two railroads 
open the way to any and idl sections of the country ; none need complain of 
small facilities for commerce, nor of the means of production, as compared with 
any section of New England. 

We have hardly space for much notice of the early families, some of whom 
were eminent and noteworthy in various ways and aspects of life. Large 
numbers, and healthy children, belonged to each. The first deed of laud here 
is to John Ilealey, 1721, ten years before a petition for township organization 
was scut to the General Court. John Adams Vinton, in his Vinton Memorial, 
p. 4G2, says : "There were no white inhabitants within the limits of the town 
of Dudley till after the year 1725." This is undoubtedly a mistake. This 
deed was from William Dudley ; in the same year another was given by 
the same grantor to Jonas Clark ; and soon Philip, Benjamin and Samuel 
Newell, Joseph Putney, William Wood, Nathaniel Ramsdell, Clement Corbin, 



432 TOWN OF DUDLEY. 



ncnjamin and Joseph Sabin, Daniel Williams, Joseph and Ehenczer Edmunds, 
all had possession here, prior to the petition for a township in 1731. The offi- 
cers elected at the first town meeting, held at the house of "William Corbin, 
June 20, 1732, were : Moderalor, Joseph Edmnnds ; Selectmen, Joseph Ed- 
munds, James Corbin, Ebenezer Edmunds. George Robinson, John Sibley; 
Town C'lerJc, Johi\ Sibley; Constable, Joseph Putney; Fence Vt'ewer.i, John 
Clement Corbin ; Tilheingmen, Joseph Newell, Benjamin Conant ; Hog Beeves, 
David Southwick, Joseph Wakefield; Treasurer, Jonathan Newell. Another 
meeting was had 29th inst., with James Corbin, moderator, when it was voted 
to have a minister, taxing improved lands and stock for his support, Hon. William 
Dudley having given one hundred acres of laud for him or his use. W'illiam 
Carter's house was voted the place of meeting ; and his barn-yard the pound 
and he its keeper, if the celectmcn got him a lock. It was decided to set 
a meeting-house on the west end of his laud, and adjoining the Indians' land. 
The call extended to Rev. Isaac Richardson, from some cause proving abortive, 
a day of fasting and prayer was appointed for May 24, 1744; for we read: 
"Voted unanimously to hold a day of fiisting and prayer to God for direction 
in the great and mighty afll"air of calling and settling a minister." Charles 
Gleason was selected, and silver voted the standard of value of money for his 
pay. Considerable unanimity pervaded all their town meetings. Joseph Ed- 
munds was chairman of selectmen for seven years, and deacon of the church till 
his death, in 1745. A grandson of the Ebenezer Edmunds on this first Iward, 
A. E. Edmunds, is now alive and active ; and h.as himself been one of the 
board thirty-five years. He is the seventh son of nine, in a family of four- 
teen, who all grew up to adult age. 

The early settlers were attracted to the location as tillers c^f the soil ; and its 
uniformly good yields of grass, grain, fruits and vegetables, have resulted in a 
series of thriving husbandmen aud beautiful homesteads, extending through 
several venerations. The men and women who first came here were of that 
self-reliant kind who knew well what was needed on new settlements, and how 
best to provide for the same. The mother was at once nurse and physician, 
aud professional help was little needed. Diseases seemed to come late, and 
only as the sim|ile habits of the settlers were displaced by lives of greater ease 
and more luxurious habits. 

At an early period the best kinds of farm stock were l)rought liere, and soon 
the oxen and cows covered the hills; and with the fine grazing and shade in 
summer, and good care aud shelter in winter, throve so well that their large 
growth and cleanly appearance gave them notoriety in all directions. The 
dairies were also noted, thirteen to fifteen pounds of butter a week sometimes 
coming from a single cow. Sheep soon followed, and these, with swine, had a 
place in every homestead. Most of the settlers were content with the acres 
that could 1)0 cultivated ; there were some then, as there arc now, who specu- 
lated iu lands; 1)ut, generally, if a man took more land than he needed for 



INDIAN POPULATION. 433 

himself, it was to share it with a friend or relative still expected to arrive. 
Groups of people of the same or allied families came together, and so held large 
tracts of land ; as the Davises, who oucc had all from Dudley Hill east to the 
great pond. Thej' gave up this land for a road through it, moving as now 
located. Horses were in use, and good ones preferred, yet Ihey did little 
on the farm except to mark the ground for plauling (he corn, and plow for 
hoeing it. Oxen drew the cart and plow, drag and sled, in all other cases. 
In those days the families of Dudley were large ; ten children were about an 
ordinary number, but often eighteen stout and hcallhy boys and girls graced a 
single household. The people of this town were never extreme in social strict- 
ness, j-et up to the beginning of this century, when Rev. AI)icl Williams 
became the religious leader, there was the same rigid piety as in other i)lace3. 
With him religion took on her cheerful aspect, youth lost all fear of the min- 
ister, and merry hearts went to the meetings with none of the old reluctance. 
Some regretted it; but more rejoiced in the change, and most of all the youth 
of the town. 

There was a strong opposition to the temperance movement on the part of 
the church. The sideboard of the minister had a good display of all kinds of 
liquors, and the ever-esteemed Parson Williams showed his love of them to 
the last, using, perhaps, without abusing them. Drunkenness, however, has 
been but little known here from the beginning, and to-day few of native origin 
have liquor in or around their premises. 

The early history of this town possesses no very remarkable features ; it 
had in its limits an inoffensive Indian population, who probably saved tbe 
early settlers from such massacres as were experienced in other places. These 
Nipmucks were early visited by Eliot and his missionaries, Mayhew and 
Gookin (see below) ; and their messages were so favorably received that at 
Manchauga (Oxford) there were sixty, at Chabanakongkomaug (Dudley) 
forty-five, at Maancxit (Dudley Hill) and the uorlh-east part of Woodstock, 
one hundred praying pouls. Quontissct and Woijquissclt of Woodstock 
(though partly in Middlesex), and West Dudley had respectively one hundred 
and one hundred and fifty praying people. 

On the east side of the hill, on which the village of Dudley stands, was a 
village of the l)cttcr class among this tribe (Pegan), if tribe it could be called, 
for they were held tributary to the Mohegaus, and also to the great Massasoit ; 
at one time Ihey had a squaw sachem, an unusual thing with the aborigines. 
The cunning Narraganscts tried to hold sway over them. Ninigret, who so 
sharply ri'sistcd JIayhcw in his attempts to convert his tribe (Narraganset), 
thought the Ki[)mucks too easily influenced, and intimated he had I)ettcr try the 
Pcquods and Mohegans. One cause of the favor the Nipmucks gave Eliot 
seems to have been his Bible and religious works. Baxter's "Call," Shepherd's 
"Sincere Convert," the "Sound Believer,'' and the "Practice of Piety," were 
all printed in their language. 



434 TOAVX OF DUDLEY, 



Tho "Tcat war of 1674-77 was, as all wars are, ruinous to all religious influ- 
ences, and nearly ended Eliot's work. The Nipmucks for the most part 
remained neutral in this strife ; and so late as the incorporation of the town by 
the General Court in 1731, the Indians of the Pcgan section gave four acres of 
land for a public common and church, conditioned with a right for them to 
occupy convenient seats in the meeting-house, and they largely contributed 
toward its erection ; thus showing that for over half a century they retained 
their interest in religious matters. Little is known of tiiem previous to the 
Enizlish settlers coming here. They soon got the unfortunate habits of rum 
drinking and quarreling, and it is owing to this cause that they so soon dis- 
appeared. There was a large exchange of land for liquor ; its sale was so 
disastrous to them that laws were soon made to repress or regulate it, and a 
"•allon was provided at each burial, at the town's expense ; sometimes they 
would feign death in order to get it. Their lands were taken as wanted by 
the settlers, and others, often of little or no value, given in return; finally a 
fixed settlement was made, and they removed to allotted quarters. Few, if 
any, remain till now that can claim purely Indian origin. Houses have been 
made for them, and in some cases schools have been tendered them ; but little 
benefit has, in any case, accrued to them on account of these means of civili- 
zation. 

The following, respecting the Indians who lived in this town, is from 
Gookiu's collection : — 

" About five miles distant fi-om hence [Oxford] is a second town, called Chabana- 
konokoman. It hath its denomination from a very great pond, about five or six miles 
long, that liorders upon the southward of it. This village is fifty-five miles south-west 
from Boston. There are about nine families and forty-five souls. The people are of 
sober deportment, and better instructed in the worship of God than any of the new 
praying towns. Their teaclier's name is Joseph, who is one of the church of Hassan- 
amessit, a sober, pious, and ingenious person, and speaks English well, and is well 
read in the Scriptures. He was the first that settled this towu, and got the people to 
liim about two years since. It is a new plantation, and is well accommodated with 
u|ilands and meadows. At this place dwells an Indian called Black James, who about 
a J ear since was constituted constable of all the praying towns. He is a person that 
hath approved himself diligent and courageous, faithful and zealous to suppress sin ; 
and so he was confirmed in his office another year. Mr. Eliot preached unto tliis 
people, and we prayed and sung psalms with them, and we exhorted tiiem to stand fast 
in the faith. A part of one night we spent in discoursing with them, and resolving a 
variety of questions propounded by lliem, touching matters of religion and civil order. 
Tlic teacher Joseph and llie constable James went with us unto the next town, which 
is called Maancxil, is a third village, and lieth about seven miles westerly from Cha- 
banukongkamun. It is situated in a very fertile country, and near unto a f.esli river 
upon the west of it, called Mohegan River. It is distant from Boston about sixty 
miles west and by south. The inhabitants are about twenty families, as wc compute 
one hundred souls. Jlr. Eliot preached unto this people out of the twenty-fourth psalm, 



MINISTERIAL RECORD. 435 

verse seven to the end : ' Lift up your heads, O ye gates ; and be ye lift up, ye ever- 
lasting doors ; and the King of Glory shall come in, &c. After sermon was ended we 
presented unto thom John Moqua, a pious and sober person there present, for their 
minister, which thej' thankfully accepted. Then their teacher named and set and 
rehearsed a suitable psalm, which being sung, and a conclusion with prayer, they were 
exhorted, both the teacher to be diligent and faithful, and to take care of the flock, 
whereof the Holy Ghost had made him overseer ; and the people, also, to give obedi- 
ence and subjection to him in the Lord." 

The Congregational church was organized about tho time of the town incor- 
poration, 1732. 

Isaac Richardson received the first call to settle here ; an ecclesiastical 
council was called to ordain him, but from some now unknown cause the 
ordination did not take place. June 12, 1738, Perley Howe of Kiilino-Iy, 
Conn., was ordained, having graduated at Harvard University, 1731. Charles 
Gleason was ordained October, 1744, and died May, 1790. He was from 
Brookline, Mass., and graduated at Harvard University, 1738. Joshua John- 
son, installed December, 1790, was dismissed May, 179G; ho came from 
Woodstock, Conn., and graduated at Yale, 1775. He was unpopular, and 
greatly disliked by the youth of the town. Abiel Williams of Raynham, 
Mass., was ordained in 1799, June 12, and dismissed March 16, 1831 ; gradu- 
ated at Brown University, 1795. Ho was, as he ever considered himself, a 
minister of the whole town, and his popularity was greatest outside of the 
church. He was charitable and friendly to all, having ever a kind and appro- 
priate word for all he met, old and young ; the latter, unusual in those days, 
held mutual converse with him, and, instead of fearing, were glad to meet hira. 
He bore this excellent character, though in some things eccentric. He knew 
and loved a good horse, as well as a good man, and it was thought his keen eye 
too often rested on this noide animal as his parishioners drove up to the church 
on Sunday. It has been asserted that he exchanged horses on this sacred day, 
but such stories are undoubtedly mere fictions. This trait of loving the horse 
was certainly commendable, for it induced a careful use and kind treatment of 
the animal. 

Mr. Williams was sent to the General Court after his dismissal, as a token 
of the town's regard, after which he remained upon his farm till his death. A 
grandson of his is now successfully engaged in the ministry. 

James H. Francis succeeded Mr. Williams, having been ordained Aug. 24, 
1831. He was dismissed June 26, 1837, was from Wethersfield, Conn., and 
graduated from Yale College 1826. Walter Follet was installed Nov. 2, 1837 ; 
dismissed Sept. 28, 1841, from Willistou, Vt. ; graduated from Middlebury, 
1825. Joshua Bates, D. D., installed March 22, 1843; died January, 1854; 
graduated at Harvard University, 1800. Ho was first settled as a pastor jMarch 
16, 1803; inaugurated president of Middlebury College, March 18, 1818. Ho 
was the most eminent and powerful minister the church ever has had. Through 



436 TOWN OF DUDLEY. 



his efforts its debts were canceled, and the society reorganized on a sure basis ; 
and though retaining rather too mncli of the school-master for a genial i)astor, 
the renewed activity he aroused in the (hurch endeared him to those seeking 
its best interests. He died hero Jan. It, 1854, and was succeeded by Rev. 
Henry Pratt, who graduated at Williams College, 1850, and East Windsor 
Theological Seminary, 1853, and was installed Oct. 25, of same year. Ho 
continued fifteen years, or up to Oct., 1SG9. Since that time there has been 
no one settled. The following preachers have been engaged temporarily : 
Rev. F. E. M. Bacheller one year, and others supplied as wanted. Rev. W. 
Wolcott commenced in 1873, and still remains the minister, though not installed. 

The following is a statement of admissions during the ministry of each 
successive pastor: Gleason, 145; Johnson, 48; Williams, 190; Francis, 74; 
Follet, 2!) ; Bates, 72 ; Pratt, 103. As there has been no settled pastor since 
Mr. Pratt's dismission, no further report is given. 

The incorporation of this society, in June, 1797, embraced nearly all the 
leading men of the town ; and as if to reach all, an additional act was passed 
Feb. 9, 1798, to include all who generally worshipped with this society. After 
Rev. Mr. Williams was dismissed, the church property was taken by attach- 
ment, in 1832, for the purpose of securing his pay ; and individuals came for- 
ward and paid him, securing themselves in the same manner. Dr. Bates 
induced them to re-deed their interests to the society, in 1843. 

Many of the early settlers were liberal in their religious views, and the 
Universalists of Oxford, Woodstock, Charlton and Dudley had occasional 
meetings during the war. When a convention was held at Oxford, 1785, 
and a society organized, meetings were held at private residences and school- 
houses, and the halls of taverns, in considerable numbers, till very many of 
the loading men and families became favorably impressed of the truthfulness 
of their views. Mr. Amasa Nichols had specially in view, in the erection 
of his educational building, a place to hold meetings ; and a neat auditorium 
was made in it, the whole cosling over ten thousand dollars. Its destruction 
by fire, April 11, 181(5, with other disasters of a business nature, and the great 
difficulties encountered in erecting another and much inferior building, together 
with the fatality that seemed, to him, to take away his favorite religious proj- 
ects b}' which ho had hoped to njakc his school and church one — these caused 
him to give np both in such discouragement that not till May 9, 1829, was a 
society formed consisting of forty members. Meetings wore held in Academy 
Hall mainly till 1833; a house was then built, and dedicated April 30, 1834. 
This was done mainly by the society, with some aid from the Methodists, who 
held services alternate Sundays till 1835, when the Universalists bought 
their interest. The latter then held continuous services till near the time the 
house was sold for the exclusive use of the academy. The preachers were 
Oilman Noyes, four years; John Boyden, five years; Joshua Brittou, two 
years; Wm. H. Griswold, two years (died here March 8, 1844) ; Joseph C. 



SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIES. 437 

Skinner, Samuel Biimhlecomo, Albert Tyler, about a year each ; Cyrus A. 
Bnidloy, three years ; J. H. Burnham, Phincas Ilcrsey, and Wm. Bell about 
a year each ; Joseph Barber six years. Alternate services wilh the Webster 
Society were had, till meetings were only held at Webster, only a few from 
Dudley being found to attend. 

The Methodists had some zealous and firm supporters among the early fami- 
lies. Notably among them was Daniel Dwight, who came here from Thoaip- 
son, Conn., soon after the war 1812-15, and was one of the first to set 
about the erection of a meeting-house, located in the cast part of the town 
(now AVebster). After a few jears a new and better one was erected still 
further away. The INIethodists hero united with the Universalists f(jr a time, 
as above stated ; but in 1844 and 1845, under Kev. Wm. B. Olds, built a 
church and established preaching on Dudley Ildl, which church they still own. 
Their preachers, mainly of the conference, have been : J. L. Ilanaford, two 
years: D. II. Merrill, one year; D. Kilburn, two years; W. B. Olds, two 
years; Wm. R. Stone, two years ; N. A. Soule, one year; J. L. Esty, one 
year; E. B. Morgan, six months; D. Dorchester, one and a half years; D. 
Atkins, T. J. Abbott, E. M. Wright, two years each ; M. P. Webster, T. B. 
Treadwell, two years each; T. Powers, six months; S. F. Cushman, four 
months; W. B. Lacount, two years; J. Noon, two years; C. Deming, one 
year ; F. M. Miller, two years ; Wm. B. Lacount, one year ; G. W. H. Clark, 
one year ; Lewis Dwight, one year. Mr. John Lewis is now supplying. 



CHAPTEK 11. 

EDUCATION AND SCHOOLS NICHOLS ACADEMY — MANUFACTUKES AND WATER 

POWER LIBERAL PROFESSIONS POLITICAL FEATURES ANECDOTES. 

Of the educational advantages of this town it might he sufBcient to name its 
twelve separate schools; but there is besides the Nichols Academy, with which 
the high school is now incorporated. Here all pupils of a certain degree of 
advancement are educated free of further cost to parent or guardian, the town 
appropriating one thousand dollars a year therefor. Ainasa Nichols founded 
this school with the view of making it a college fur the use of the Universalists. 
Unfortunately his first building was burned just upon its completion (1816), 
fired, as he believed, by an agent, through sectarian spite, then terribly rampant 
all over the country. In the erection of his next building he was so crippled 
in means as scarcely to finish it to his mind ; but his school was opened with 
the help of Revs. Hosea Ballon, Thomas Jones, Paul Dean, Edward Turner 
and others. Soon after it was incorporated as a regular academy, managed 
by a board of fifteen trustees. 



438 TOWN OF DUDLEY. 



In the act of incorporation, passed June 18, 1819, the first board aro 
named : Jonatlian Davies, Amasa Nichols, Benjamin Russell, John Spurr, 
John Brown, Isaiah Rickcr, Luther Amidown, John Ketteli, and Benjamin 
Glcason, Esq., Rev. Thomas Jones, Rev. Hosea Ballou, Rev. Paul Dean, Rev. 
Edward Turner, Dr. Dan Lamb, and Dr. Abram B. Thompson ; all being of 
the Universalist faith. For four years much effort was required to carry on 
the school. The need of funds induced the trustees to apply to the legislature 
for aid, which was ol)tained in the shape of half a township of Maine wild lands 
(1825). The citizens raised two thousand dollars more by subscription, two 
hundred and fifty of which, however, never was paid. The Maine lands were 
sold for two thousand five hundred dollars ; so that the^ whole fuuds amounted 
to four thousand two hundred and fifty dollars. By the act of incorporation 
it was carefully "provided that the annual income of the whole estate of said 
corporation shall not exceed six thousand dollars ; " quite an unnecessary pro- 
vision thus far. 

When two new trustees were to be appointed, it was thought best to select 
some of a different faith. Mr. Nichols resented it, resigned, and ceased alto- 
gether to recognize his school. The new trustees were the Hon. Geo. H. Tufts 
and Col. AVm. Hancock, both good men : the latter, later in life, gave six 
thousand dollars for the institution. The school at this time ceased to bo Uni- 
versalist in any distinctive sense, and became non-sectarian. It has continued 
with varied success, some of the time with large lists of pupils ; and up to this 
time numbering about two thousand five hundred in all. 

It had always been a favorite school with the public, aiming to do the best 
work possible for the pupil. An alumni association has recently been formed, 
which holds annual meetings of great interest to the public, having a special 
address, poem and dinner, and graduating class exercises, with tree-planting 
and distribution of diplomas. The town has given the school twelve thousand 
dollars. 

The preceptors have been: — Solomon L. Wilds, 1819-21; Isaac Webb, 
1822-24; Wm. H. Blackwell, 1824-2G ; H. Lounds Street, 1826-28 ; Wm. 
G. Learned, 1828 ; Sauford Lawton, 1829-32 ; Wm. S. Porter, 1833 ; Darius 
Ayres, 1834 ; Benjamin Diefendorf, 1834-30 ; John Bowers, 1837 ; Oscar 
Fisher, 1837-39 ; Henry C. Morse, 1840 ; Elisha M. Cook, 1840-42 ; Henry 
C. Morse, 1842-44; Samuel W. Bates, 1844-46; Aldcn Southworlh, 1844- 
49; Alvin II. Washl)uru, 1849-51; Wm. W. Birchard, 1852; Alvin H. 
Washburn, 1851 ; J. II. Almy, 1853 ; James A. Clark, 1854 ; Alden South- 
worth, 1855-56; Ogden Hall, 1857; Monroe Nichols, 1857-62; John F. 
Clark, 1862-67 ; Francis C. Burnette, 1867-68 ; Isaiah Trufant, 1869 ; A. L. 
Blane, W. G. E. Pope, and II. F. Burt, 1869 ; Harold Wilder, and A. H. 
Livermorc, 1870; Leonard Morse, 1871-72; Marcellus Coggau, 1872-79; E. 
P. Barker, 1879. 

The most important and extensive manufacturing establishments are the 



MILLS AND PRODUCTS. 439 



Stevens Liueu Works, projected and built by Mr. Henry H. Stevens, and costing 
above three million dollars. They occupy the site of the Merino Wool Factory 
Company, which was incorporated Feb. 13, 1812. All its original stock was 
lost. It was purchased at the close of the war by Messrs. Joseph Schofield, 
Nathaniel Lyon, Chester Maun and John Mallalicu, March 5th, 1817. The bill 
of the machinery, dated June 24, 1817, indicates the capacity of the mill ; viz., 
two small double carding machines, one large double carding machine, one pick- 
in*' machine, ouc mixing, one roping billy, three spinning-jennies, five broad 
looms, four satinet looms, one kersey loom, one narrow plane, one set warpiug 
bars, one broad shearing-machine, one narrow shearing-machine. In about 
a year this company separated, Mr. Schofield retiring. During the time from 
1825 to 1837, Maj. John Brown and Samuel II. Babcock of Boston were 
interested here ; finally, in 184G, Mr. Henry H. Stevens became the sole 
owner, and began the manufacturing of linen goods, which were in special 
demand ; in 1858 Mr. Stevens began those gigantic works, which required 
some ten years for completion. He evinced an energy and enterprise hardly 
equaled by any one ; some of the time his pay-roll was fully two thousand dol- 
lars a day for the help on the mills and dams alone. Many thousand barrels 
of lime and cement were swallowed up in the huge walls of granite that he 
quarried upon his own grounds; and much of the time fifty yoke of oxen, 
besides horses and mules, were engaged in hauling stone from the quarry to 
the mills. The wheel-house bears date 1859 ; in the same block are cut 



ALL WAS OTHERS 

ALL WILL BE OTHERS'. 



This was realized in his case sooner than he expected. 

The wheel that drives the machinery is forty feet in diameter, with sixteen feet 
buckets, and has a capacity of two hundred horse power. Steam is used when 
necessary. There is also another wheel, twenty feet in diameter, sixteen 
feet buckets. The large mill was erected 18G2-5. It is five stories high with 
an attic, each story being sixteen feet ; it is two hundred and seven feet long by 
seventy wide ; it has an eastern extension eighty-three by seventy feet, and 
an east wing two hundred and ten by forty ; a west one, eighty by twenty- 
four feet, containing ofiices and counting-room, bath-room and other conven- 
iences. The old mills remain ; a large bleachcry has also been erected. 

The million dollars cash Mr. Stevens had to begin with, and the large earn- 
ings from his mills, were not suflicient to carry out his plans. The whole was 
made into a stock company, in 1867, with a capital of seven hundred thousand 
dollars. David Nevins, president ; II. S. Shaw, treasurer ; and E. P. Morton, 
a^-ent. After all Mr. Stevens' obligations were canceled he had no capital stock 
left to himself, and the great works are to him but ornaments and mementoes of 
what he has been. The mill has three hundred and twenty-five looms, produces 
five million yards crash diaper a year, besides one and a half million yards cotton 



440 TOWN OF DUDLEY. 



ba""in"' ; four hundred and fifty hands arc employed, being nearly one-half of all 
en^afed in Iho mills in town. This privilege, though by the side of French 
River, is not supplied b}' it, but by reservoirs of Mr. Stevens' construction. 

There is another tine water privilege in the north part of the town. Mr. Titus 
V. Shepherd was the first to make cloth here. From some cause, not now 
known, it received the appellation of "Ivam's Horn." Saw and gristmills 
formerly occupied Aivoruble privileges at this point. Hon. Aaron Tufts linally 
succeeded in securing it, wilh the former owners, Harvey Couant, John 
Jewett, Mayo Pratt and Asa Robinson, joint proprietors. The Gore and Baker 
ponds were made into a reservoir by a dam of some ten feet high, holding 
an ample and continuous supply of water. In 1827 a large stone mill was 
erected, and goods manufactured by this company till 1843 ; when. Tufts 
dying, Mr. Jewett succeeded to the proprietorship, running the mills till 
1864; then sold to O. Pond of Worcester, who made largo additions to the 
building, with new machinery, and changed the name of the place from Tufts 
Mills to Spring Lake. Mr. Pond not succeeding, the works passed into the 
hands of Lovcll Baker of Worcester; but successive iires in both mills, stores, 
and barns, soon ended all manufacturing here, and nothing has been done since 
1868. The water-supply is abundant and pure, and it would be an excellent 
place for the manufacture of writing and printing paper. 

West Dudley is on the Quinebaug River; has a post-office, grist-mills, where 
a large amount of grinding is done, and paper machinery for the manufacture 
of the coarse kinds of sheathiug, roofing and carpet papers. It is owned by 
Gleasou & Weld. It is situated on the Southbridgc branch of the New York 
and New England Railroad, and can use the entire water of the river, which 
gives an unfailing supply. Formerly, when iu the hands of Mr. Allen Brown 
and others, Kentucky jeans were extensively made ; but the mills having been 
burned, the new buildings were devoted to other uses, as above stated. 

Below, on this river, is another valuable water-power ; the construction of 
dam, mills, &c., has been altogether the work of Mr. Eben Stevens, sou of 
Mr. Henry II. Stevens, who built the great linen mills iu the cast part of the 
town. Mr. Stevens calls his village Dundee, and devotes his works to the 
manufacture of gunny-cloth and the business of a grist mill. It is on the same 
railroad as West Dudley, but his jxjst-office is Quinebaug, Ct., just on the State 
line, and but a short distance from his works. Mr. Stevens' whole village is 
new; he began his dam Sept. 1, 1871, and had his goods in market March 
1872 ; capacity, three tons a day. 

Pcrryviile is in the extreme south-east part of the town, on the French, 
River, wiiicli affords ample power at all seasons of the year. It has been 
owned and used in the Perry family for above a century ; but Mr. Josiah 
Perry, the present owner, has considerably extended the works, cleared and 
extended the area of the farm attached, erected dwellingsand barns, and by keep- 
ing all neatly painted and cleanly, he has now ouc of the finest villages of its 



PROFESSIONAL MEN. 441 



size in the State. He is making a variety of woolens ; and his mills have been 
active while others ceascil work till more favorable times. lie has twenty-eight 
tenements, employs one hundred and fifty hands working six sets of machinery, 
turning off from two hundred and fifty to three hundred thousand yards a year. 
Above, on this river, are the mills of INIcssrs. John Chase & Sons, on the site 
of Amasa Nichols' cotton-mills. These were called the Dudley Cotton Manufac- 
turing Company, and were incorporated Feb. 8, 1816, being afterwards called 
the Fenno Mills. Oscar F. Chase, with his father, erected the mills and build- 
ings, using the stone quarried on the premises. The works are quite exten- 
sive, and fh-st-class throughout. The goods are fine cassimercs, and have always 
sold readily in the market. Through all the trying times of recent years these 
mills have kept up steady work. Several years ago Mr. Oscar F. Chase sold 
his interest to his brother, Fred. T. Chase, who has further extended the 
business, and is now very much improving the lands by walls and cultivation, 
and reducing to order and neatness the highways and fields, rendering them 
useful as well as ornamental. Mr. Chase has a fine residence on Main Street 
iu Webster, near the Methodist Church. Mr. Chase and Mr. Perry have the 
only mills in Dudley, on this river, that derive power therefrom. 

David Perry has a small mill near, on a kind of side privilege. It is used 
for knitting purposes. Hon. Aaron Tufts made cloth at a small mill just west 
of Dudleyllill for some years, before he engaged at the north part of the 
town. The place was called "Switch Tail." This seemed to supplement his 
disastrous venture with others at the Merino Factory. 

The law business was for some time au important thing in Dudley. It ceased 
to be such with the death of Hon. Geo. A. Tufts ; though many eminent iu this 
profession have grown vip here, or else received that stimulus at our schools 
that sent them onward to full success. They had little social influence in 
town, though some of them were much noted in their time, and men of culture 
over and beyond their calling. 

Of doctors a supply has always been had since the early settlers gave up 
their simple habits, and the kind mother and maiden their nursing and herb 
raising. Dr. Eaton, succeeding Dr. Lilly, was one of the most eminent in 
the co'unty ; he began and spent a long life here, and bequeathed to his son-in- 
law, S. P. Knight, his business and virtues ; he too was very useful in teaching 
the people to be careful and avoid disease, as well as in faithfully and skil- 
fully battling it. From his death he was long and lovingly remembered. 
Succeeding him come the Drs. Lindsay, father and son ; the latter remains 
in the business. These are all what are called "old school" practitioners, but 
many families adopt reformed methods. 

It has been thought the schools of the early settlers were held in light 
esteem, from the fact that no provision was made for them till seven years 
after the town was incorporated ; and, when districts were then established, 
inferior teachers were put in the schools and kept there. The first thing 



442 TOWN OF DUDLEY, 



required was government ; the last, the same. The hickory switch occupied 
a conspicuous place behind the master's desk, and was in constant requisition. 
Those who received the severest castigation were made so reckless thereby 
that the thing cured itself. Now, great care and attention are given to the 
schools. 

In politics two leading parties, very nearly l)alauced, have alternated almost 
from the beginning, but for most of the time with no very unfriendly temper 
towards each other. During the active portions of the career of Maj. John 
Brown and Hon. Aaron Tufts in this town, strong feelings were infused into 
each party under these violent leaders. Brown was chairman of selectmen 
five years. Tufts, fifteen years, which may or may not indicate their domina- 
tion here ; they were pretty nearly equally matched for persistence and party 
zeal, and generally rendered the town meetings extremely animated, one lead- 
ing the party of the ri'jht, the other that of the left, so that the house was 
readily divided on all disputed questions. At the State election in 1878, this 
town voted for B. F. Butler for governor. 

If there could bo space given, many incidents of public interest could bo 
given ilhistratiiig the character and habits of the early settlers here ; a few 
authenticated ones must suffice. 

The clergy were looked upon as examples wortliy any one's following. Eev. 
Mr. Glcason assisted a neighbor in getting in hay after service on a Sunday, 
justifying the act, though the party aided was not a memiicr of his church. 
His successor, Rev. Mr. Johnson, was an extremist the other way, and Rev. 
Mr. Williams, who began his ministry and ended his days here, following the 
latter, was of the liberal style again. It has been stated that he loved the 
horse ; he knew his qualities and his values quite thoroughly. Often his judg- 
ment was had in requisition, and almost as often it was abused, which made 
him wary. On one occasion a young man had fitted up a cheap animal with 
a view to speculation, and placing upon it a new harness, sought Mr. Wil- 
liams's opinion of its value; but, passing around it, he only olfercd this 
opinion : "Pretty good horse, —pretty good horse, — harness worth more than 
the horse." His successor, Mr. Francis, was an opposite in nearly everything ; 
but there seems here to have been an end of extremes with this class. 

One Ezra Ilcaly was a great rogue. He had the audacity, one noon-time, 
to put the whole school up through a ventilator, and then to threaten to kill 
the first one who should make any noise. When the teacher came in, he sat 
alone in his seat with such a solemn countenance as to surprise the master almost 
as much as the loss of his school ; and strange, too, he had lost his speech. 
There seemed to be no clew as to the whereabouts of the scholars for some 
time, till this writer's mother, then ten years old (178G), and having a cold, 
•was compelled to cough, and that ended the mystery. Some of the parents 
held extreme views of discipline, and cases of flogging with the ox-whip belong 
to the early history of this town. 



OLD-TIME TRICKS. 443 



On the westeru border was a small settlement at one time, west of John 
Vinton's thousand-acre purchase, called "INIiddlcsex." The connected lands 
were coveted by some of the new comers, and the holders being unwilling to 
sell, a device to frighten them was contrived by the solicitors. An egg, which 
had written upon it with melted tallow, " Woe to Middlesex," was put in vine- 
gar till all the shell was corroded but the portion protected by the tallow. 
The ^gg, with this ominous inscription, was placed in the barn of a prominent 
resident, where it was soon found. It is reported that such a fear came over 
the inhabitants, that easy terms were made with the deluded people for the 
purchase of their lands. 



444 CITY OF FITCIIBURG. 



FITCHBTJPvG 



BY EBEN BAILEY. 



CHAPTER I. 

BOUNDARIES AND EXTENT — SURFACE AND GEOLOGICAL FEATURES — STREAMS — 
INDIAN INHABITANTS EARLY SETTLERS- — INCORPORATION AS A TOWN PROM- 
INENT EARLY CITIZENS — FIRST TAXES EDUCATION ACADEMY — PRESENT 

SCHOOLS. 

FiTCimur.G, in the noith-eastcru portion of Worcester Comity, Mass., is 
about lifty miles by rail from Boston. Its territory is about six and a half 
miles long by four and a half miles broad, and, according to a survey made in 
1830, it contains 17,879 acres. It is bounded on the north by the town of 
Ashb}', in Middlesex County ; on the east by Lunenburg and a portion of 
Leominster ; on the south by Leominster and a portion of Westminster ; and 
on the west by Westminster and a portion of Ashburnham. 

The surface is very uneven, and there is but little level land. There are 
spurs of hills running in all directions, seemingly thrown up at random by the 
hand of nature. These hills and corresponding valleys afford most picturesque 
scenery to an observer on the highlands. The most level land lies alongside 
the river, which runs through the most thickly settled portion of the city, and 
upon which its numerous manufacturing cstal)lishnieuts are situated. Rollstone 
Hill, of solid granite, rises three hundred feet from the river, and is quarried 
to a considerai)le extent for building material. Pearl Ilill, in the northerly 
portion of the city, is a very considerable elevation, and on one side rises 
abrui)tly in the form of a precipice. From its summit an extensive view may 
be oi)tained. 

The foundation of Fitchburg is mica-slate, gneiss and granite. In the 
neighborhood of Mt. Vernon Street, the rock is a sort of garuetiferons slato. 
Rev. Peter Whitney, in his history of Worcester County, pul)li.shed in 1793, 
says of Fitchl)urg : " It is a very hilly and uneven but fertile town. The hills 
arc large, high and steep; however, on them there is not broken, poor and 
waste land. In general, the soil is excellent." It was formerly believed that 
gold and silver ore would be found hidden in the interior of Pearl Hill, but no 



EARLY HISTORY. ur, 



search has yet revealed it. Rev. Pctor Whitney says: "It is not imi)r()lnil)lc 
that iVoni Poari Ilili "will sometime he dn<? large qnantities of the jjrecious mttuls, 
as everything at this time favors the conjecture." Rufus C. Torrey, in his 
history of Fitchhnrg, published in 183(5, says: "Upon the elevation formerly 
known as Applctreo Hdi, situated east and north-cast of the village, there are 
indications of the existence of mineral coal ; and the higli and increasing price 
of fuel -will soon, it is presumed, cause a thorough examination into the matter." 
(Appletree Hill was the hill lying back of wh.it is now Pleasant Street.) 
There are no natural ponds within the limits of Fitchburg, and the ponds made 
by the dams on the mill-sites are not large. A branch of the Nashua River 
runs through the city, and furnishes it with water-power. Baker's Brook 
flows through the easterly portion, and empties into the former stream. 
Phillips Brook, which has its source in Ashburnham, flows through the 
northern part of Westminster, and empties into the Nashua in West Fitch- 

It is a saying that "happy is the people whose annals are uninteresting." 
Had there been no cruel, vindictive red men, no sudden and terrible Indian 
massacres, no weeks and months of apprehension and anxiety, the general his- 
tory of New England would have been less interesting, and there would have 
been a lack of that fascination which the history of many of the towns of New 
England now possesses. 

Fitchburg, as an incorporated town, never suS'ered from Indian depreda- 
tions ; but that portion of the town of Lunenburg which was afterwards set 
off to form Fitchburg was visited at least once by a baud of Indians, fully 
intent on deadly mischief; and, although they did but comparatively little 
harm at the time, it was not from lack of intention. 

Just previous to the landing of the Pilgrims, a fatal disease swept away a large 
jiortiou of the Indian inhabitants of New England ; so that, although there 
wore a number of tribes wilhin its limits, they were mostly at a distance from 
each other, and a very large portion of the territory was practically unin- 
habited, being only occasionally visited by parties of Indians, bent on war, on 
hunting or fishing. 

This town was probably within the limits of the territory of the Pawtuckets 
or the Pennacooks, but there are no indications of any permanent stay here, 
althougli it is certain that the Indians occasionally visited or passed through 
the place. Arrow-heads and implements of Indian manufacture have been 
found here at various times and in various places, though never in large quan- 
tities. 

The inhabitants of that portion of Lunenburg afterwards set off as Fitch- 
burg, shared the general excitement and alarms incident to the French and 
Indian war, and in 1748 they received a visit from the Indians. The occasion 
of this raid was as follows: — John Fitch lived in the northern portion of 
the town, which was afterwards set off from Fitchburg to form a portion of the 



440 CITY OF FITCHBURG. 



town of Ashby. His house, which was also a garrison, was nearly opposite 
the present residence of Paul Gates in Ashby. One day, while at work in the 
woods, he cut down a tree, which unfortunately fell upon the wigwam of Sur- 
dody, a certain half-tamed Indian, who lived near by. Fitch did not deem it 
necessary to offer him any recompense or apology, nor did Surdody ask any. 
Bent on revenge, he quietly departed for Canada, and succeeded in inducing 
a party of his race to return witli him by promising them prisoners and plun- 
der. On their arrival, they divided into several parties, and reconnoitered 
the vicinity. It was on Saturday, the 2d of July, 1748, that the Indians 
appeared in the vicinity of Pearl Hill. Stephen Sheplcy, Esq., says in a 
paper which was carefully written by him on this subject : — 

" On the south-easterly slope of the hill the Gibsons lived ; they were several 
brothers, all good fighting men, famous for great strength and courage. The house of 
Isaac Gibson, who lived where the widow of Levi Kendall now resides, was fortified 
and called Fort Gibson, and could afford protection to all the Gibsons in case of dan- 
ger. It is said that the Indians, after carefully watching these hardy, athletic men, did 
not dare to attack them. Reuben Gibson, who lived where A. V. Jones now resides, 
went to his house and said to his wife, ' The Indians are about ; I must go with you to 
a place of safety.' He took liis horse from the barn, put on saddle and pillion, both 
mounted and were off at once. As soon as he had seen his wife safe with her friends, 
he returned and found everything unmolested ; even the bread his good wife had placed 
in the oven that morning was baked and ready for use. 

" On Sunday, the 3d of July, a party of Indians were on the hills about the centre 
of Lunenburg ; but, seeing men going to the meeting-house with guns in their hands, 
they skulked back to their comrades, telling tliera that the whites were thick as the 
leaves on the trees, and that it was hopeless to attack them." 

On the 5th of July, 1748, the garrison of John Fitch was attacked. Two 
soldiers who were with him were killed, but he kept up the fight for some time, 
his wife loading the guns and he firing them. At lust the Indians told them 
that if they would surrender, their lives would be saved ; otherwise they would 
be burned with the garrison. They finally surrendered, and the Indians kept 
their word and saved their lives, although Surdody did his utmost to have Fitch 
killed. The family of John Fitch, consisting of himself, his wife and five chil- 
dren, the j-oungest a babe less than five months old, wore taken to Montreal. 
They were ransomed the following fall, and all returned safely, with the excep- 
tion of Mrs. Fitch, who died on her way home. 

On the day after the capture of Fitch, Deacon David Goodridge was fired 
upon by a party of Indians. Mr. Goodridge had lost his cow, and was search- 
ing for her on horseback. lie had reached the farm of Deacon Amos Kimball, 
and entered into conversation with him as he was hoeing corn in a field which 
was surrounded by a brush fence. While thus occupied his dog began to bark 
furiously, and while endeavoring to discover the cause, he saw some Indians 
lying flat on the ground, with their guns pointing through the fence. Ho 



FIRST SETTLERS. 447 



immediately shouted to Kimball, "Indians I Indians!" and started down tho 
hili, the savages firing upon him as ho went. In his flight he lost his hat, 
which the Indians secured. Goodridgc hastened to Page's garrison on Pearl 
Street, and "-ave the alarm, and in a few hours a company of soldiers arrived 
from Lancaster. They followed the trail of the Indians for some distance, but 
did not overtake them. Amos Kimball was probably fired upon at tho time 
that Goodridge retreated. This account differs slightly in some respects from 
Mr. Torrey ; but we think our information in regard to the day of the occur- 
rence is correct. 

The soldiers who followed the Indians discovered .1 piece of bark stuck on a 
tree, on which Fitch had written a request not to pursue them further, as hia 
captors would probably kill him if overtaken. John Fitch married again, his 
second wife being Mrs. Elizabeth Pearcc of Lunenburg. He was prosperous 
and influential in Fitchburg, and afterwards in Ashby, when his neighborhood 
was set off in 1767 to form a portion of that town. He died April 8, 1795, 
a<Ted eighty-seven years, at the house of a relative in Ashby. 

There seems to have been some difference of opinion in the past as to the 
year in which this Indian raid occurred ; but Mr. Shepley's researches have 
fixed the time as July, 1748, although he differs from Peter Whitney, Mr. 
Torrey, and the monument erected to John Fitch in Ashby. These last 
authorities, however, all differ from each other, and the written records by which 
Mr. Shepley fixes his dates must set the matter at rest. 

Well may we honor our first settlers, for they were courageous, hardy, enter- 
prising men, who struck out into tho unknown forest, and by their honest toil 
laid the foundation of our prosperity and comfort, and if we raise to them no 
material monument, we can do no less than give to them their due mention in 
history. 

The first settler within the present limits of Fitchburg was, undoubtedly, a 
man by tho name of David Page, who lived very near Pearl Street on the 
Moses Wood estate, on the opposite side of the street, and south-westerly from 
the house. His dwelling was garrisoned, a stockade extending around it con- 
sisting of sticks of timber hewn on two sides to about tho thickness of six 
inches, and driven closely together at a distance of about ten feet from the 
house. He turned tho little brook which flows there from its course, and con- 
ducted it for some distance underground, and then through the garrison, that 
he might be supplied with pure water if besieged. It must have been soon after 
the settlement of Page that John Scott moved on to his fiirm on the Scott Road, 
as ho was living there in 1734. Jonathan Wood, a man of considerable note, 
was living, in 1735, in the vicinity of "Baker's Bridge." Samuel Poole lived 
near the present residence of J. A. Cutting, on the Mt. EUim Road, and his 
brother, James Poole, near tho junction of Rollstone Road and tho old turn- 
piko in 1740. David Goodridge and David Carlilo were also very early set- 
tlers, the former living on the Bemis place in South Fitchburg, and the latter 



448 CITY OF FITCIIBURG. 

oil the roiid leading to Stephen Shepley's farm, not far from the Urklge over the 
brook. Before 1745, Isaac and Kcuhcn Gibson, Timothy B;uuroft, Kphraim 
"Whitney, Thomas Diitton, William Henderson and John Wliitc were all living 
in the north-easterly and easterly portions of the town. 

In 1743 Amos Kimball moved into the limits of Fitchburg from Bradford, 
and, in 1740, ho -was followed by his cousin Ephraim. They were active, 
enterprising young men, who bought land extending back some distance from 
the river, and along the same from the Old City as far as the Eiver Street rail- 
road crossing, taking in the whole of EoUstone. Amos built a house in the 
rear of the present residence of Samuel Hale, and Ephraim some distance 
farther back from the river, near Everett Street. These two men built the 
first dam on the river, and erected a grist-mill and a saw-mill very nearlj' on 
the spilt now occupied by the grain-mill of Joseph Cushing on Laurel Street. 
The Kimballs employed a man named Hodgkins to tend their mill, and he 
erected a little hut for himself near by. 

In 1745 there were four garrisons within the present boundaries of Fitch- 
burg. Oue was owned by Samuel Puole, and one by Samuel Hunt, who kept 
a tavern on Pearl Street, near David Page's former residence. There were also 
garrisons at Isaac Gibson's and Joseph Spaflbrd's. 

At the time of the incorporation of Fitchburg, in 1764, there were forty- 
three or forty-four families living within it, and the number of inhabitants was 
not far from two hundred and fifty. The following citizens were living here at 
that date : — 

Amos Kimball, Ephraim Kimball, Samuel Pierce, William Steward, Phineas 
Steward, Robert AVares, Samuel Poole, James Poole, Kendall Boutclle, Francis 
FuUam, Silas Snow, Nehemiah Fuller, Ephraim Osborne, Ilezckiah Hodgkius, 
Solomon Steward. 

The above lived in the southerly portion of the town. 

James Litch, Charles Willard, Abraham Smith, Edward Scott. 

The above lived in the northerly portion of the town. 

Ebenezcr Bridge, Reuben Gibson, William Chad wick, Nicholas Danforth, 
Ezra Whitney, Isaac Gibson, Isaiah Witt, Thomas Gerry, Joseph SpafTord, 
John White, Thomas Damary, Jesse French, Thomas Dutton, William Ilender- 
60U, Ephraim Whitney, Timothy Bancroft, Samuel Hunt, Timothy Parker. 

The above lived in the vicinity of Pearl Hill and in the easterly part of the 
town. 

David Goodridge, Jonathan Holt, Samuel Hodgkins, Jonathan Wood, 
Samuel Walker, Phineas Goodell. 

The above lived in the vicinity of South Fitchburg. 

John Fitch lived in that portion of the town which is now Ashby. 

As early as the year 1757, some of the citizens of the westerly portion of 
Lunenburg desired to be set ofi" into an incorporated town. There were 
various reasons for this desire. One, perhaps, was that some of them were 




THE KEUBEN OIBSOX HOUSE, PEARL HILI., riTCHBUHG, MASS. (Bllilt 17-44;. 




THE JOSEPH SPOFFORI) HOVSE, FOOT OP PEARL HILL, NORTH-EAST PART OF 

FiTCHiuuG, MASS. (Bllilt iu 1744-5.) 



INCORPORATION. 449 



men of proniiuciico in Lunenburg affairs, and, from experience, thought them- 
selves fully capable of managing a town of their oun. Another, and the chief 
reason, was that the distance to the church, which was used l)oth for religious 
worship and for the transaction of town business, was so great as to be very 
inconvenient. Even in our time we might justly complain of the distance ; 
but then matters were far different. In those days all traveling was done on 
horseback over rough roads, which were merely l)ridle-path8. Streams must 
be forded, bars taken down, and the spreading boughs and limbs of trees 
avoided. Thus, for those people in the westerly part of Lunenburg, it was a 
long and tedious ride to church and to town meeting, and the remedy was a 
church and parish of their own. 

As early as 1757 Samuel Hunt and others petitioned to have the westerly 
part of Lunenburg set off, that it might be incorporated into a separate town ; 
but the town of Lunenburg declined to assent. The project, however, was not 
dropped, but was presented at other town meetings for a number of years, 
until finally on Jan. 25, 1764, the following vote was passed: — 

" Voted, That at the request of Doa. Benj. Foster, Dea. Samuel Putnam and others, 
the lands in said Lunenburg which lie west and westward!}' of the line hereafter 
described should be set off from said town, that so the said lands and the inhabitants 
thereon may be formed by the General Court into a town or district as they shall think 
proper." (Here follows a description of the line which corresponds with the easterly 
boundary of Fitchburg.) This was granted on condition that " the inhabitants should 
pay their minister's tax as heretofore the}' had done, until they should be formed into a 
district." 

The people in the westerly portion of Lunenburg, having been so far suc- 
cessful, appointed a committee consisting of Jcjhn Fitch, Amos Kimball, S.miuil 
Hunt, Ephraim Whitney and Jonathan Wood, to wait upon the General Court 
and obtain an act of incorporation. They attended promptly to their duty, 
and, on the 3d of February, the act which created the town of Fitchburgh 
received the signature of the governor. The town was in all probability named 
for John Fitch, who headed the committee on incorporation, and who was the 
same person formerly taken prisoner by the Indians. This, however, has not 
been undisputed, some believing it- to have been named for Col. Timothy Fitch, 
a wealthy merchant of Boston, who owned extensive tracts of land within the 
limits of the new town. Both men might have been remembered in naming 
the town. It will be noticed that the incorporated name terminated with the 
letter h, but the use of that letter was but temporary, and Fitchl)urg was 
incorporated as a citi/ without it. 

The act of incorporation ran in the usual manner, except that instead of 
having the privilege of sending a representative to the Geneial Court, the two 
towns of Luncnbiu'g and Fitchburg were to unite in sending one. 

It is noticeable that, in the September following, it was voted by the town of 



450 CITY OF FITCIIBURG. 

Fitcliburg, " ihat a portion of the town be set off to John Fitch and others, in 
onlor to nitikc a T(jwn or Parish among thenisoives." It was not, however, 
niitil three years afterwards that this portion of the town was set off to form 
part of the town of Ashb}'. 

In accordance with the act of incorporation, a town meeting was called 
March 5, 17G4, by virtue of a warrant issued b^' Eilward IlartweU, Esq., of 
Lunenburg, directed to Amos Kimball, one of the constables of Fitchburg. 
This meeting was held in the tavern of Capt. Samuel Hunt, wliich was situated 
where the late Milton M. Gushing resided, on the estate formerly owned I)y 
Moses AVood on Pearl Street. Amos Kimball, David Goodridge, Samuel 
Hunt, Ephraim Whitne\-, and Reubon Gibson were chosen selectmen. 

Owing to the river and the peculiar physical formation of the town, there 
was much occasion for the rebuilding of bridges and the repaiiing of roads. 
The spring freshets and the heavy rains in the f dl would often damage the 
roads or carry away the bridges, and town officials found plenty to do. In 
addition to Avhat must always be done in a town just starting from the wilder- 
ness, there were numerous ecclesiastical mtitters to claim the attention of the 
town officers, as the parish and the town were then identical. Town meetings 
in those early daj-s were quite numerous, and sometimes matters apparently 
trivial occupied the serious consideration of the town. Town meetings were 
held in Samuel Hunt's tavern until the erection of the church, after which they 
were always held in the latter place. 

We give here a list of town officers elected in those times : selectmen, town 
treasurer, town clerk, constables, surveyors of highway's, tything-men, deer- 
reeves, hog-reeves, fire-wards, surve^'ors of clapboards and shingles, culler of 
hoops and staves, leatlier sealer, field-drivers, fence-viewers, surveyor of wheat, 
school committee. 

The following are some of the prominent men in town affairs, as taken from 
the early records, their names figuring often :is town officers : Thomas Cowdin, 
Amos Kinilcill, Ephraim Kimball, John Fitch, David Goodridge, Samuel Hunt, 
Ephraim "Whitney, Reuben Gibson, Phineas Steward, Kendall Boutelle, Jona- 
than Wood, Isaac Gibson, Isaiah Witt. 

The following were the highest tax-jjayers in 1771 : Thcmias Cowdin, Amos 
Kimliall, David Goodridge, Ei)hraim Kimball, James Poole, Moses Thurlow, 
John Thurston, Isaac Gibson, Reuben Gibson, Abraham Gibson, John White, 
Joseph Low, Ebenezer Bridge. 

Thomas Cowdin paid the highest tax; viz., £13 11.''., and his property was 
valued at £121 4s. The valuation of his real estate was £85, and of his per- 
sonal property' £.36 4.'?. lie was possessed of three horses, three oxen, sev^en 
cows, fourteen sheep, and four swine. The column headed "money "in the 
valuation list is blank throughout; but Stephen Shepley states, that according 
to the valuation list of 17(J4, which he has seen, but which wo were unable to 
find, John Fitch and another man, whom we think was Ephraim Whitney, had 
money at interest. 



SCHOOL-HOUSES. 451 



The valuation of the town in 1771 was : — 

Real estate, £l,9r,l 00.,. = $0,500 33 

Personal estate, 557 10 = 1,858 33 

Total valuation, £2,508 10s. = $8,3G1 C6 

The total town tax was, in 1771, . . .£115 3s. 4cZ. 
County tax, 2 10 8 

Total tax, ...... . £117 Us. 0(7. = $392 30 

Juilfini; from this tax-list there were from seventy-five to eighty families then 
living in Fitchbiirg. 

"We will here notice an article in the warrant for town meeting, January, 
1770. It ran as follows : — 

" To see if the town will relieve the Widow Mary Upton for Distresses occasioned 
by Frowns of Divine Providence, and abate her husbands rates on Isaac Gibson's and 
Ebenezer Bridge's tax lists." 

It was voted in town meeting to "abate jNIr. Upton's j;o?e tax." 

The educational growth of Fitchburg has not been rapid, but none the less 
has it been real and substantial. The first schools were kept in private houses. 
■\Ye have the record of a school having l)een kept in William Chadwick's corn- 
barn, which was near the present Pearl Hill school-house ; and a school was 
kept for a considerable time in Samuel Hunt's tavern. In 17G4 the town voted 
to keep two schools, and the sura of £8 was appropriated for that purpose ; 
but the next year the appropriation was reduced to £3 ; and in June, 1770, the 
town voted " not to have any school this winter but to keep the money till next 
fall." In 1777 the annual appropriation had risen to £30. 

Just when the first school-house was built is uncertain, but in the year 1800 
it stood on Main Streit, opposite the Common, and just above Crocker's Hall, 
which is on the corner of Circle Street. It was a low, unpainted, wooden build- 
ing, which stood with its end to the street. There were at least two other 
school-houses in town at this time : one near the preseut residence of Edwin 
Works, and one in the vicinity of Pearl Hill. 

In 1811 the centre district, or District No. 1, was divided, and District No. 
12 was set off in the Old City ; the town voting to give the people of that 
locality $90 to assist them in the erection of a building for school purposes. 
The next year a brick school-house was erected, which still stands, forming a 
portion of the dwelling-house on the upper cornei of Crescent and Blossom 
streets. 

The old school-house in District No. 1 was succeeded, in 1815, by a more 
modern and substantial structure, which was painted yellow, and contained two 
rooms. It stood on the spot where D. H. Merriam now lives, for about twentj - 



452 CITY OF FITCHBURG. 



five years, when, having become entirely iusiifBcient to acconmiotlato the num- 
ber of pupils sent there, a new, brick school-house wa^s erected on West (now 
Main) Street, which is still standing. It was erected in 1840. 

In 1830 there were twelve districts and twelve school-houses in Fitchburg. 
In 1846 the i)rick school-house in the Old City wiis superseded by the erection 
of the Day Street school-house, which building was enlarged in 18GD. In 1859 
the present grammar school-house on High Street was built, and was used for 
both iiigii and grammar schools till 18(59. It 1874 it was enlarged by an addi- 
tion of four rooms. 

About 1830 a number of the citizens formed an association called the High 
School Association of Fitchburg, which was an important sup[)lcn)ent to the 
educational powers of the town. Here was o1>tained by many of our most 
respected citizens a knowledge of the higher branches of study, which is so 
essenti:d to a well-balanced mind. The directors of this association were 
Benjaujin Snow, Francis Perkins and Dr. Cliarics AVilder. Dr. Jonas A. 
Marshall w'as secretary and treasurer. A building called the Academy was 
erected in 1830 at a cost of $1,200, on land given for school purposes by Capt. 
Zachariah Sheldon. The building stood just in front of the present high-school 
building, and the land at the time it was given was part of a field of rye. 

The Academy was let to i)rivate persons for school jiurposes. Beniah Cook, 
A. B., was principal of the first school kept in the building, and Ezra W. Reed 
was his assistant. Almost all the studios known to the ancients or moderns 
were advertised to be taught in this school. In a later school kept b^' Messrs. 
Cragin & Waldo, Hebrew was placed in the list of studies. About thirty 
scholars were attending in 1835. This academy was moved when the present 
high-school building was erected, and is now a part of the Rollstone House. 

In 1849 the town voted to establish a pul)lic high school, and purchased the 
academy of the High School Association ; and a high school and two lower 
schools were kept in the building till the erection of the High Street grannnar- 
school house. The present high-school building was erected in 18G9. 

The early school committees were chosen for prudential pmposes only, until 
1808, when the town commenced to choose an additional committee for exam- 
ining teachers ; and after 1827, in accordance with an act of the Legislature, 
school committees wcie chosen, having and exercising substantiallj' the powers 
of our present boards. The first school committee under this arrangement, 
chosen iu 1827, consisted of Rev. Calvin Lincoln, Rev. Rufus A. Putnam, 
David Brigham, Ebenezer Torrey, Ivers Jewctt, Abel Fox and J. A. Marshall. 

In 1845, the town purchased the school-houses of the various districts, a 
proceeding somewhat unusual for the Massachusetts towns at that time. 

In 1835, the school returns furnished to the Legislature showed that there 
were attending the common schools in Fitchburg, five hundred and sixty 
scholars between the ages of four and sixteen ; average attendance, four hun- 
dred and sixteen ; children not attending school any portion of the year, forty- 




I'lTCHBVIlO SAVINGS llANK BLOCK. 




HIGH AND GIIAMMAK SCHOOL BUILDINGS, IITCHBURG, MASS. 



RELIGIOUS MATTERS. 453 



Olio ; average wages of teachers per month, exclusive of board, winter, $16.67 ; 
summer, $4.30 ; amount of money raised by tax for common schools, $1,237.50 ; 
estimated amount paid for tuition at the academy and private schools, $705. 

lu 1878, (he number of children in the city between the ages of five and 
fourteen, inclusive, was two thousand two hundred and thirty-five. The num- 
ber between the same ages attending school was one thousand nine hundred 
and three ; and there were two hundred and filty-four pupils of (il'teen years 
of age and upwards. The salaries of experienced teachers for grades below 
tlie grammar school was $380 per year of forty weeks. The amount appro- 
priated for schools was $33,700. The city now has about forty schools and 
nineteen school-houses. 



CHAPTER II. 



EARLY PROVISION FOR PREACHING — FIRST CHURCH BUILT — MINISTER SETTLED 

« SODOM " CONTEST OF EAST AND WEST VILLAGES LOCATING OF NEW 

CHURCH RISE OF NEW DENOMINATIONS SOCIETIES AND ASSOCIATIONS 

BOARD OF TRADE. 

The early religious history of Fitchburg, like that of other New England 
towns, is very closely interwoven with its secular history. The settlement of 
a minister, the building or repairing of a church, were matters which it 
behooved the assembled wisdom of the town to meet and dL-lii)crato upon. 

One of the very first acts of the newly incorporated town of Fitchlnirg was 
to vote in town meeting, Nov. 26,1764, "To have Sabbath days preaching 
the winter insuing." It was also voted "To have preaching in Thomas Cow- 
din's house," and the committee on preaching were instructed " to apply to Peter 
Whitney and Mr. Russell first." Accordingly the committee applied to, and 
secured the Rev. Peter Whitney, who came and preached in the tavern of 
Thomas Cowdin (who had succeeded Samuel Hunt in the tavern on Pearl 
Street), during the summer. This Thomas Cowdin was a man of will and 
energy, and proved himself a power in the town. 

The committee to "manage and take care of building the meeting-house in 
town," consisted of David Goodridge, Ephraim Whitney and Thomas Cowdin, 
and the sum of £50 was appropriated to commence the work. Thomas Cow- 
din offered to give an acre of land for the l)uilding, and his otfer was accepted. 
The spot selected was near the corner of Mt. Vernon and Crescent streets, and 
between Mt. Vernon and Blossom streets. When built, the little church 
looked down on the winding stream below, on the rude dam and mills of the 
Kimballs, and across the river to the residence of Amos Kimball or IIm1i;'s IIill. 



454 CITY OF FITCHBURG. 



Up the valley was a forest of pine trees and hemlocks, with a narrow road 
exteiuling tlirough it. 

The church was built piece by piece, and was never a very handsome or 
comfortable structure. From time to time numerous votes were passed with 
reference to its completion. One of them had reference to the pulpit. It 
being voted " that the town provide a place for the minister to preach in." The 
meeting-house was ready for occupancy in the fall of 1700, but we see by the 
records that in 1771 a sum of money, to be obtained by the sale of some land 
belonging to the town, was appropriated to finishing the ciinrch. 

In town meeting, Sept. 22, 17()0, John White, Kendall Boutelle, Solomon 
Steward, John Thuiston and I'^phraim Kimball were chosen a committee to 
"lay out and dignify the pews," and it was also voted that "the highe!^t paj'er 
on real estate have the first choice in the pews." 

As before stated, there was preaching during the winter of 1704-5, in the 
tavern of Thomas Cowdin. In the year 1700, there was no preaching, and the 
inhal)itants were obliged to attend religious services in Lunenburg. In 1707, 
application was made to Kev. Peter Whitney, to Rev. Samuel Angier, and to 
Rev. John Payson to come and preach. Mr. Angier came and was invited to 
settle, but, chiefiy on account of some difiiculty with Dea. Amos Kimball, he 
declined. 

In May, 1767, the town appointed "a day of fasting and prayer, in order to 
ask Divine assistance in giving some gentleman a call to settle in the gospel 
ministry in this town." 

During the summer of 1707, Rev. John Payson preached for the people, and 
in November he consented to become their pastor. He was ordained Jan. 27, 
1708, the church having been "embodied" on the 9th of the same month. 
Mr. Payson was a son of Rev. Phillips Payson of Chelsea, and a brother of 
Rev. Samuel Payson, who had been settled in Lunenburg. lie seems to have 
been an exemplai-y pastor and a truly Christian man, but loving quiet and 
seclusion, and slii inking from the active afiairs of life. lie was possessed of a 
constitutional infirmity of mind which finally resulted in confirmed insanity. 
However, he had lucid intervals and continued to preach till 17!t4, going 
through the services with perfect propriety, when frequently he did not have a 
really lucid interval during the week. In May, 17'J4, the pastoral relation 
between Mr. Payson and the town was dissolved, after twentj'-six 3'ears of min- 
isterial service; the town agreeing to pay him the sum of $530. He continued 
to reside in Fitchburg, but in May, 1804, while on a visit to his brother-in-law 
in Leominster, he committed suicide. He died in the 59th year of his age, 
and was buried in the old cemetery on South Street, where a large stone which 
lies horizontally on four supports, marks his last resting-place. It was placed 
there by his son and bears a long Latin inscription. 

The old cemetery on South Street contains the graves of most of the early 
settlers of the town, and is a place to be preserved and held in honor, never 



PARISH ACTIOX. 455 



to be disturbed by the vaudal hand of progress. The first "grave-yard" was 
near the first chinch, but on account of the ledge of rock it was found not to 
be a suitable place, and ihe few bodies which had been interred there were 
finally exhumed and i)l:iced in the cemetery on South Street, the land for which 
was "ivcii by Dea. Amos Kimball, " in consideration f(n- tlic love and respect 
which ho bore to the people of Fitchburg." 

The town constituted the parish in those early days, and every one was 
expected to attend Divine worship regularly and constantly. If not, his name 
was reported by a committee appointed for that purpose, and he was fined. 
We have the account of a Mr. Abel Baldwin, who was fined for non-attendance 
at church. He was brought before Thomas Cowdin, Esq., who lived in the 
Old City, to be tried, and after receiving sentence and paying his fine, proceeded 
to curse the place aud named it Sodom, which name that portion of the town 
bore fur many years ; or, as Mr. Torrey says in his history of Fitchburg, writ- 
ten in 1835 : "It is called Sodom unto this day." 

After the resignation of Rev. Mr. Payson, the Rev. John Kimball was em- 
ployed to preach for the town for about one year, and then an invitation was 
given to the Rev. John Miles to "settle," but the invitation was declined. In 
April, 1797, the church proposed to give Rev. Mr. Noyes a call, but tiie town, 
which was identical with our modern parishes, refused to concur, aud proposed 
Rev. Samuel Worcester, by a vote of forty-three to twenty-four. This pro- 
posal was acceded to by the church, and ISIr. Worcester was ordained in Sep- 
tember, 1797. Mr. Worcester was to receive as his salary, $333.33 per annum, 
with the improvement of the town's land. 

About 178G, the western portion of the town, in the neighborhood of Dean 
Hill, was quite prosperous, and constituted a little village of itself. The peo- 
ple there began to consider that they were of sufficient importance to set up 
for themselves. They considered the fact that they had the best land, and 
that it was advisable to rid themselves of the poorer portion of the town in 
the valley along the river, which they regarded as a useless expense, on account 
of the numerous freshets, and consequent repairs of roads and bridges. They 
also considered it a grievance to be obliged to travel so far to church, for which 
they were taxed equally with those who lived in the ncighl)orhood, and there- 
fcn-e they petitioned to be set off, that they might join a portion of Westmin- 
ster and Ashburnham and i)e incorporated into a town. This petition the cit- 
izens of Fitchburg, assembled in town meeting, refused to grant. 

The first meeting-house, although it had been built but twenty years, was 
already too small to accommodate the inhabitants, and it became necessary to 
build a new one, and, accordingly, in September, 178G, a vote was passed "to 
build a new meeting-house in the centre of the town, or the nearest couve- 
nientest place to the centre." Of course all knew that the present location in 
the Old City was not in the centre, nor the "nearest convenientest place" 



456 CITY OF FITCIIBUKG. 



thereto, niul the stnijr^lc now comraenccd to find that unUnowu spot. It took 
ten years and ninety-nine town meetings to decide it. 

Whatever might be said by the pcojile in the west of the town about their 
distance from the church, tlieirreal olycctivc point was, undoubtedly, to l)e set 
off into a new town ; accordingly, "withont waiting to see whether the citizens 
of Fitchburg would accommodate them in the location of the new church, 
they proceeded to build a meeting-house of their own very near the "Westmin- 
ster line. It was a plain, nnpaintcd structure, was finally left to decay, and 
received the appHhitiini of the "Lord's Barn." In 1790, this dissatisfied sec- 
tion petitioned to the General Court to ije set off into a town wiih the people 
'of the northerly jiart of Westminster and a portion of Ashbnrnham. The 
petition set forth in glowing language the superior advantages of their high 
and fertile locality over the low, snnken land of the eastern portion of the 
town, and depicted the imposing spectacle of a church on one of their noble 
hills. These arguments had such an cllcct upon the members of the Legi-^la- 
turc that an order was sent to the town of Fitchburg and others interested, lo 
show cause, if any they had, why the prayer of said petitioners should not he 
granted. 

"The town," says Mr. Torrcy in his history, "now saw the necessity of 
'Toing to work in earnest. After conferring with committees from Westmin- 
ster, Ashburnham and Ashby, the people of Fitchburg drew np a spirited 
remonstrance. In this remonstrance they denied every statement set forth in 
the petition, alleging that the latter was entirely the -work of fancy, and a 
specimen of outrageous poetical license ; that the petitioners were actuated 
solely by interested views ; that their object was to escape from the onerous 
l)urJen of contributing their just proportion towards the maintenance of some 
of the most expensive bridges that were ever created. They declared that if 
the petitioners should succeed in their object, the remaining portion of the 
town would bo comi)letely overwhelmed by that grievous nuisance, the Nashua 
River." 

This remonstrance must have had its eilVct, for tli.> prayer of the petitioners 
was not granted ; but the west was now detormined to prevail in the location 
of the new church. The strength of the two sections was nearly equal, but 
there seems to have been a small party which held the balance of power, and 
which inclined now to one side and then to the other in a most aggravating 
manner. At last, after repeated votes and rec(msiderations. it was finally 
decided in Septeml>cr, 1794, "to erect a meeting house in the centre of said 
town or in the nearest convonicntest place thereto, to accoujmodatc the inhabi- 
tants, for Divine worship." Three disinterested non-residents were chosen 
"to centre the town and discover the nearest convcuicntesl place." This com- 
mittee was c(miposed of Josiah Stearns, Esq., and David Kilbnrn of Lunen- 
burg and Benjamin Kimball, Esq., of Harvard, and they found the centre of 
the town to be about seventy rods to the north-east of the pound, on what is 



UNITARIAN VIEWS. 457 



now c Uctl Poiiucl Hill ; l)iit, taking all thiiigd into consideration, llioy ilcc-idctl 
that the nearest couvcnicntrst place was a point somewhat to tlu^ cast of (hat 
place, a short distance from the corner of West and Caldwell strcels. 

The town rejected their report — yca-s, twenty-nine; nays, thirty-six — and 
so, after all, nothing had yet been accomplished. Finally, in October, 1795, 
a vote was passed in town meeting to locate the meeting-honse "at the crotch 
of the roads, near Capt. William Brown's," and there it was huilt in 171)0. 
This spot was directly in front of the present Unitarian Chnrch. 

The "meeting-honse" qncstion was now settled, bnt ecclesiastical tronbles of 
a still more scrions nature were destined to afflict and disturb the town. In 
Fitchburg. as in many other New England towns, the religious opinions of a 
large portion of the [leoplc had become quite liberal, and dilferences of opinion 
on reliirious questions were becoming of sufEcient importance to become a large 
part of the serious business of town meetings. 

The towns then constituted the parishes, they built and owned the churches, 
and every citizen was taxed for the support of the minister, unless he could 
show a certilicato from the proper authority of " his attendance upon some other 
))ublic teacher, when he may have the tax assessed upon him transferred to his 
own instruction." The various town meetings were also parish meetings, and 
considered civil and ecclesiastical questions indiscriminately. The leaven of 
heterodoxy, however, was creeping into New England society, and the people, 
to a great extent, turned away from the rigid doctrines of their foreftithers and 
drifted towards Unitarianism. In most places there was finally a separation 
of the original church, and a formation of two societies, one Unitarian and the 
other Orthodox. 

Fitchburg was agitated in this way for about twenty-four years, diu'ing which 
time many ecclesiastical councils were called and numerous stormy debates wore 
held, iioth in town meetings and out of them, for neig!il)or was divided against 
neighbor, aud one member of a household against another. 

In 1801, a majority of the people became dissatisfied with Rev. Mr. Wor- 
cester, who succeeded Mr. Payson, and a separation of the parish into threo 
societies took place. The number of Sundays which each society was entitled 
to use the meeting-house was apportioned according to the amount of taxes 
paid by each. The society in the east part of the town was to occupy the 
meeting-house twenty-four Sabbaths, Rev. Mr. Worcester's society was to 
occupy it seventeen Sabbaths, and the society in the west eight Sabl)aths. The 
Methodists and Baptists were also allowed its use for three Sabbaths. 

The members of the church sustained Mr. Worcester, but he finally asked 
for a dismissal, and this was the occasion of a dispute as to which should 
appoint the council to dismiss him, the chnrch or the town. Mr. AVorcester 
and the church claimed the sole right of appointing the council, which claim 
the town denied, and accordingly voted that they considered Rev. Mr. AA'or- 
cester dismissed and their contract with him null and void. They ordered the 



458 CITY OF FITCH BURG. 

doors of the meeting-bousc to be closed and not to he opened except hy order 
of tbe selectmen. Arrangements were finally made by wbicb Mr. Worcester 
was dismissed by a regularly convened council, wbicb was beld in June, 18U2, 
and bis pastoral relations ceased tbe following September. Tbe result of ibis 
religious war seems to have been the dissolution of tbe parochial powers of 
the town and the division of the church into two societies. 

Tbe seceding society settled tbe Rev. Titus Theodore Barton in 1804, and 
Rev. William Bascom was ordained by the other society. In 1805, tbe society 
of Rev. Mr. Barton l)uilt a small house of worship on the spot where the present 
Calvinistic Church now stands, on tbe corner of Main and RoUstone streets. It 
was enlarged in 1828 and used till tbe present brick building took its place, in 
1844. The old church was bought by Cbcdar Marshall, taken down and 
removed to the corner of Main and Laurel streets, where it now stands, although 
additions have been made to it. 

Mr. Barton was dismissed in 1812, and at the same time and at his own 
request, a dismissal was granted to j\Ir Bascom by bis !?ociety. Tbe two soci- 
eties were then reunited for a time, but their difTerences were irreconcilable, 
and in 1823 a final separation took place. Rev. Rufus A. Putnam was ordained 
over the Calvinistic Church and Society, formerly ilr. Barton's ; and Rev. 
Calvin Lincoln, Jr., was ordained over tbe Unitarian Society, formerly Mr. 
Bascom's, wbicb worshipped in tbe raeetiug-bouse owned by tbe town. Tbe 
present Unitarian Church was built in 1837. 

We have seen that in the year 1801 the Baptists and Methodists bad 
obtained sufiicient numbers, and were of that degree of importance, that they 
were granted tbe use of tbe meeting-house for three Sabbaths during tbe year, 
and as early as 1787 we find that seventeen professed Baptists were exempted 
from paying any tax toward the support of Rev. Mr. Payson, they having 
preaching of their own. 

The first organized society of Baptists in Fitcbburg were called Freewill 
Baptists, and were incorporated in 1810 under the name of "Tbe First Baptist 
Society of Fitcbburg and Ashby." The first minister was Rev. rjenjamin 
Tolman, and their meeting-bouse was built on tbe Ashby Road, not far from 
tbe line between tbe two towns. It was quite small, and, in 183G, bad the 
appearance of a barn. 

The Village Baptist Society was formed in March, 1831, and incorporated in 
February, 1834. Rev. A[)pleton Morse was tbe first pastor. Their church 
was built in tbe autumn of 1833, and is still standing on Main Street, above 
the Common. In 1853 a new church was built farther down the street, at a 
cost of $25,000. It was dedicated March 1, 1854. This society was originally 
organized as a branch of the Baptist Society in Princeton. 

The Methodist Church and Society was formed in March, 1834. The first 
minister was Rev. Joel Knight, and the church, which stands near the foot of 
the Common, on Main Street, was built in 1840. 




UKSlIlliXLi; OF CHARLES T. CKOCKEK, IITCHHVRO, MASS. 




UESIDENCE OF MRS. S. \V. I'lTXAM, FITCHBfRG, MAS 



LOCAL SOCIETIES. 459 



In 1843 a portion of the Calviuititic Congregational Society cut themselves 
off from the parent stem, chiefly on account of their anti-slavery views. They 
formed a society and built a church, and had preaching until about the close of 
the war. The building has since, in 1875, beeu remodeled, and now contains 
the post-ofiBce. 

The Universalist Church and Society was organized in October, 1844, and 
their church was built in 1847. 

The Episcopal Church and Society was organized Oct. 7, 18G3. The Rev. 
H. L. Jones was the first rector. Their church, which is a fine stone building, 
was built in 1867, and consecrated in April, 18(58. 

The Catholic Society was organized in 1847, and the first church was built in 
1848. A new and fine brick edifice was erected in 1870. In 1878 a handsome 
Catholic chapel was built in West Fitchburg. 

In 1868, owing to the insufEciency of the Calvinistic Church on Rollstone 
Street to contain the increased congregations, a division took place and a society 
was formed in the Old City, called the Rollstone Congregational Church and 
Society. The Rev. L. W. Spring was their first pastor. They built a fine 
brick church on the corner of Main and Snow streets in 1869. 

The Second Adventists have had preaching in Fitchburg for some years. 
Their chapel was dedicated May 19, 1872. They had pre.iching for about two 
years previous. 

In 1874 a Protestant mission-chapel was built in West Fitchburg. 

Societies. — In looking over the files of the "Fitchburg Sentinel" for 1839, 
we find a list of officers of the " Society for the Detection of Thieves." 
Ebenezer Torrey was president ; Samuel Willis, treasurer ; and Asa Partridge, 
secretary. There was a standing committee of twelve members, and a pursuing 
committee of twelve. At that time there was no police force, and a sheriff and 
one or two constables were not sufiicient to prevent thieving. This society did 
some good work in breaking up one or two organized gangs of thieves. 

The Fitchburg Philosophical Society was organized about 1828. It was a 
literary society, and the exercises consisted mainly of lectures and debates. 
It was before this society that Nathaniel Wood read his lectures on the history 
of Fitchburg, which formed the basis of Torrey's history. The Philosophical 
Society purchased Rees' Encyclopedia, as the beginning of a library. It was 
succeeded about 1838 by the Fitchburg Library Association, which took the 
Encycloptedia as the basis of a library, and, in turn, this latter association 
handed its books over to the Fitchburg AthenEeum. 

The Fitchburg Athenteum was organized in 1853 for the purpose of loaning 
books to members, and, according to its constitution, "to furnish facilities for 
intellectual, moral and social improvement, by the establishment and mainte- 
nance of a library, reading-room and lectures." 

The Fitchburg Public Library was established by the town of Fitchburg in 
1859, the books of the Athenaeum being donated to it by the members. The 



4t;o CITY OF FITClinUKG. 



a[)[jraisfd value of (ho library in 1872 was $6,500. Tlie number of books ou 
hand in 1859 was 3,731 ; in 1878 the nmuber had increased to 11,987. The 
numi)er of persons taking books in 1878 was 3,497 ; the number of books 
delivered was 40,618. The library is now about to bo moved into more com- 
modious and convenient quarters. 

The AVorcester Nortli Agricultural Society was incorporated in 1852, and is 
devoted to the interests of the farming population in towns within its district, 
which includes Fitcliburg, Leominster, Sterling, "West Boylston, Princeton, 
Lunenburg, Ashburnham, AVcstminster, Gardner, Tcmpleton, R(jyalston, in 
"Worcester County ; and the town of Ashby in Middlesex County. 

Edwin V. Sumner Encampment, Post 19, Grand Army of the Republic, was 
instituted Aug. 16, 18G7. The E. V. Sumner Relief Corps was organized in 
January, 1878. 

The Fitchburg Benevolent Union was organized March G, 1876. Its object 
is to have one comprehensive, unscctariau organization, which, as far as possi- 
ble, shall distribute charity wisely, and endeavor to help the poor to help 
themselves. 

In September, 1841, the reformed drunkard and temperance lecturer, John 
Hawkins, visited Fitchburg and lectured to a large audience. As a result, one 
hundred and thirty signed the total abstiuenco plcilgc that evening ; and a 
Washingtonian Total Abstinence Society was ft)rmed, and a temperance reading- 
room was established over the post-ofBce. There was a great temperance 
revival in the town, and, by December, nearly one thousand had signed 
the pledge. There have been temperance societies and temperance revivals 
since, l)ut we cannot mention all. There are now in Fitchburg four organized 
temperance societies; viz., a Reform Club, a "Woman's Temperance Union, a 
lodge of Good Templars, and a society of the Tem[)lc of Honor. 

The Aurora Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons was organized June 9. 
1801, at Leominster, from whence it was removed to Fitchburg March 17, 
1845. Tiie Charles "W. Moore Lodge was instituted Oct. 9, 1856. The 
Thomas Royal Arch Chapter was instituted at Princeton Dec. 1, 1821, and 
removed to Fitchi)urg Nov. 13, 1847. The Jerusalem Comuuuulery of Knights 
Templar was instituted Oct. 13, 18(;5. The Freemasons of Fitchburg have 
some of the fniest rooms in the State in the two uppi'r stories of the Fitclilmrg 
Savings Bank Block. 

Mount Rollstono Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted 
Dec. 12, 1845. King David Encampment was instituted Oct. 18, 1870. The 
rooms of the Odd Fellows are at present in the upper story of the Rollstono 
National Bank building. 

The Fitchburg Board of Trade was organized in May, 1874. In 1876 the 
board moved into a suite of ro(jms fitted up for its use in J. M. Carpenter's 
building, opposite the Baptist Church. 



PUBLIC PROGRESS. 4(;i 



CHAPTER III. 

PROGRKSS AND IMPROVEMENTS NEW STREETS STAGE-COACIIES NEWSPA- 

TEKS RAILROADS — MILLS — PUBLIC WATER-SUPPLY — SOLDIERS' MONUMENT 

AND COURT- HOUSE INCORPORATION AS A CITY AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS 

STATISTICS OF POPULATION. 

At the time of llic incorporalion of Fitchhurg in 17G4, there were four rond3 
loiidins through the town — roatis which were hanliy travcrsahlc by an ordinary 
wairon, and over which most of (he travel was on horseback. One road led 
through wliat is called the Old Lunciil)urg Road, Pearl Street, Main Street, 
Piospcct Street, Fiat Hill and Wdlianis Road to Winchendon. Another road 
cut across from the Old Luncnbuig Road, running near Winchester Wyman's, 
through the Fisher Road and Scolt Road, and finally joined the Fiat Hill 
Road ; this was called the Crown Point Road. A third road was across a 
somewhat insecure bridge over (he river, in the Old City, through South Street. 
A fourth road was through South Fitchburg to Westminster. 

The early settlers located all around the town on the hills, shunning the little 
stream, the sandy soil, and the pitch-pine forest in the valley, which latter 
afTorded an excellent shelter for deer, partridges and ^vild turkeys. One of 
the first frame-houses was built by Amos Kiml)all on the Samuel Hale farm, 
and is now a portion of the old house in the rear of Mr. Hale's present resi- 
dence. The carriages of those times were rough o.x-carts, mostly without 
tires, and running on the felloes. When tires were used, they consisted of 
strips of iron fastened to the felloes with broad-headed nails. The plows were 
made of wood, both mould-board and land-side being covered with strips of 
iron ; old saw-plates were preferred for that use. The plow-points were gen- 
erally made of Groton bog-iron, and were very brittle. The hoes were of 
iron, and very thick and heavy; and shovels were often made of wood, and 
shod with iron. 

In 17G4, when the town was incorporated, there were about two hundred and 
fifty inhabitants within its present limits, and forty-three or forty-four houses. 
There Avas then one tavern and no store. Capt. Samuel Hunt, who kept the 
tavern on (he Moses Wood place, on Pearl Street, soon sold to Thomas Cow- 
din, who kept the place for about ten years, and then removed to a house 
situated where the American House now stands ; this house was afterwards 
called the "Poutelle House," and was taken down about 1835. 

About two years before Thomas Cowdin moved into his new tavern, Ephraim 
Kimball, son of the Ei)hraim who came from Bradford, opened a store in his 
dwelling-house, near Cushing's Mill ; and in a few years Joseph Fox, who 
1)egan business in a small way, opened a store near by. The land in the rear 
of the American House and east of Blossom Street was covered with a fine 
groutli of white-pine timber. 



462 CITY OF FITCHBURG. 



During the war of the Revolution, Fitchburg continued to grow to some 
extent, and at its close there were the meeting-house, Kimball's saw and grist 
mill, Cowdin's tavern, Fox's store, a baker's shop, and half a dozen houses 
between the American House and the Common. The meeting-house upon the 
hill back of Main Street was a small, shabby, j-ellow structure; the red store 
of Joseph Fox was below, and, in the rear of his store, his house, with large, 
projecting eaves, standing between Main Street and the stone mill of Joseph 
Gushing. The mill and residence of Dea. Ephraim Kimball were near by. Up 
the road, now Main Street and near the present residence of Ebenczer Torrey, 
were a baker's shop and a dwelling-house, and beyond, towards the west, were 
two or three houses and a blacksmith's shop. Pine-stumps, hard-hack and 
grape-vines were plentiful by the side of Main Street. Such was the village of 
Fitchburg in 1786. 

The erection of the new church near the head of the Common, in 179G, 
changed somewhat the centre of growth in the village. The new meeting- 
house formed a new nucleus, and the upper portion of the village began to 
increase, while the Old City came to a stand-still. 

In 1830, there were quite a number of houses on West and Mechanic streets, 
but not a single house on the north side of Main Street, between a point just 
below the present residence of Ebenczer Torrey and the house then owned by 
Oliver Fox, Esq., near the present corner of ^lain and Prichard streets 
(this latter not being then laid out). A few years later, a number of 
gentlemen, among whom was Ebenczer Torrey, bought the laud extending 
back for quite a distance in the rear of Main Street, between the points just 
described, laid a portion of it olT into streets, much as it is now, and sold it 
in building-lots. 

In 1830, there were in Fitchburg, 235 dwelling-houses, 2 meeting-houses, 

1 academy, 12 school-houses, 1 printing-office, 2 woolen manufactories, 4 cot- 
ton-mills, 1 scythe factory, 2 papor-niills, 4 grist-mills, 10 saw-mills, 3 taverns, 

2 hat manufactories, 1 bellows manuftictory, 2 tanneries, 2 window-blind manu- 
factories, and 1 chair manufactory. 

In 1835, the appearance of the village was somewhat as follows : We should 
find a store on the corner of Main and River streets, and further down, not 
far from the Common, the Baptist Cluirch, in the basement of which was a 
book-store and bindery. Near the head of the Common was the Unitarian 
Church, used for town meetings and public purposes. On the corner of 
Main and Rollstone streets was the Orthodox Church, and, just below, a 
grocery-store, over which was the tailor's shop of Daniel Cross, while further 
down was the tavern situated on the site of the Fitchburg Hotel. Just beyond 
the tavern was a store, and over it the printing-office. On the other side of 
the street, where the store of J. F. Bruce now is, was the store of Benjamin Snow 
& Son, and just above, in the building where is now the law-office of E. B. 
Sawtelle, was a hardware store. The building was then turned with its side 




VNION' I'ASSENGKK STATION, IITCHBURO, MA 




FITCHBVRG WOOLEX MILL COMPANY'8 MANUFACTOKY, FITCHHUEO, MASS, 



LOCAL PRESS. 463 



to the street. Above was the Fitchburg Bank, and a tavern on the present 
site of the lioll-^tonc House. 

There were perhaps forty dwelling-houses in the upper portion of the vil- 
la^o. There was a cotton-mill where is now the mill of H. W. Pitts, and the 
woolen-mill in Factory Square was substantially the same as is the present 
factory of the Fitchburg Woolen Mill Company. In Newton Lane there was 
a cotton factory. 

Ill the Old City, there was a store in the rear of the present store of I. C. 
Wri'^ht, and there wore about a dozen dwelling-houses. There was also the 
stone cotton-mill on Laurel Street, and a paper-mill on "Water Street. 

Fitchburg was at this time quite a flourishing little place, which for ten years 
previously had grown quite rapidly. In the year 1800, it contained 1,390 
inhabitants, but in 1835 the number had increased to about 2,700. There 
were a numlier of stone bridges and a dozen dams on the Nashua, and the 
roads had been much improved within a few years, although the roads to 
Ashby were still hilly and crooked. There was stage communication daily 
with Boston, Keene and Lowell, and stages left three times a week for Spring- 
field and Worcester, and returned on alternate days. There were mail-stages, 
which answered to our express-trains ; and there were also accommodation 
stages between Fitchburg and Boston. Those were halcyon days for hotel- 
keepers, and the stage-driver was a man of importance. 

A growing town must have a newspaper to quicken its energies and create a 
local spirit. The first newspaper of Fitchburg was published in 1830 by 
Jonathan Whitcomb and one Page, under the firm-name of Whitcomb & Page. 
The paper was called the "Fitchburg Gazette." Mr. Whitcomb sold, after a 
time, to Beniah Cook, who had previously been a teacher in the academy, and 
he conducted it for about a year. A few years after, another newspaper was 
started, called the "Worcester County Courier," which was printed at first by 
Mark Miller, and afterwards by George D. Farwell. It was a Whig paper, 
and quite an enterprising sheet. 

The Democrats, not wishing the Whigs to have the whole field to themselves, 
bought out the "Gazette," and converted it into a Democratic weekly, called 
the "National Republican and Worcester Connty Star." It was edited and 
published by Mark Miller, the first printer of the "Courier"; but this gentle- 
man proved himself a " wolf in sheep's clothing," for, having obtained tho 
confidence of the people and been appointed postmaster, he collected numerous 
subscriptions for the paper, and decamped for Albany. 

Soon after this, John Garfield bought out tho "Courier," and procured the 
services of William S. Wilder, as editor. Now, Wilder, although obliged to 
write for the Whigs, was a Democrat at heart, and could not resist the tempta- 
tion presented by the absence of Mr. Garfieid for a few weeks to pour forth 
the suppressed feelings of his heart in the columns of the paper. Great was 
the wrath of the proprietor, on his return, to find his paper turned into a 



4(i4 CITY OF FITCHBURG. 



Democratic organ, and his sul)scriptiou-list depleted hcyoiul recovery. He 
gave up the " Courier," and puljlished, for a short time, a paper called the "Times." 

Ou Dec. 20, 1838, the first number of the "Fitchburg Sentinel" was issued 
by John Garfield, in conjunction with E. W. Reed as editor. It was a weekly 
sheet, somewhat smaller than the present "Daily Sentinel." Mr. Reed, in his 
first editorial, saj-s : "We present this day to the reading community a paper 
which we intend to devote to the interests of the Farmer, the Mechanic, the 
ManuCactnrcr, and also to the interests of our Common Schools." He also 
says it is his intention to have a paper so conducted that the wives and children 
of those who patronize it "might have something to read without being obliged 
to cull it from the records of political bitterness and strife, which fill so many 
of our Public Journals." 

In the first number, there are about two columns of advertisements, about 
two-lhirds of one colunni being occupied by an advertisement of " Richardson's 
Vegetable Family Pills." We find an advertisement of the Fitchburg 
Academy, kept by Cragin & Waldo : — "Mr. Cragin will devote himself wholly 
to the English Department. The Classical Department will be under the direct 
care of Mr. Waldo, who will teach the Hebrew, Greek, Latin, French and 
German Languages. The pupils will be taught to exercise their own reason- 
ing powers, and to consider their studies and the hours of school as pleasures, 
and not tasks. Good board can be obtained in the village for $2 per week." 

We find also in this lumiber advertisements of Newton & Green, hardware; 
Fessenden & Wilder, carriage, harness and trunk manufactory, rear of the 
Nashua River Hotel; cash drj'-gortds store, J. Haskell, agent; Spaulding & 
Evans, furniture; »vhip-manufactory, George Marshall, agent ; Franklin book- 
store, in the post-office; and one advertisement under the head of "To Let," 
and one "For Sale." These constituted all the advertisements in the paper. 
There was also a notice that the Fitchburg Choral Harmonic Society woidd 
"give a Concert of Select Music, Wednesday i''>vening, Dec 26th, assisted by 
E. Gushing, Esq., of Boston on the Organ." 

The "Sentinel" i)rospered, and by July, 183!), there were eight columns of 
advertisements, and the paper had been somewhtit enlarged. It contiiuicd to 
i)e published by Mr. Garfield until 1841, when W. J. Merriam purchased and 
carried it on initil December, 1850, when he sold to Elisha and John Garfield. 
In 1853 J. F. D. Garfield took the place of John : but he sold in 1856 to 
Elisha, who carried it on alone until 18G4, when John Garfield again pur- 
chased one-half, and, in 18G5, the whole of it. Mr. John Garfield afterwards 
had as partners, J. M, Blanchard, C. C. Stratton, and Bourne Spooner. In 
1873 the firm took the name of the Sentinel Printing Company, John Garfield 
having gf)ne out and J. E. Kellogg having taken his place. The first number 
of the " Fitchburg Daily Sentinel " was issued May (!, 1873. It, and the weekly, 
still continue to be published. 

The "Fitchbui'LT Reveille" was staited in 1852, at the desire of sonic ( f ihe 



RAILROADS. 465 



leading Whigs, with John J. Piper as editor. In 1869 it was taken by J. L. and 
H. F. Piper. In November, 1875, the publication of a "Daily Reveille" was 
coiumenced. The owners sold out iu a few months, and the name was changed 
to the "Daily Press," which was conducted and edited Ijy Ezra S. Stearns. 
This paper was afterwards purchased by the "Sentinel" Printing Company. 

At various times other papers and periodicals have been published in Fitch- 
burg, and have lived for a longer or shorter period, such as a ladies' magazine in 
1832, called the "Panacea for Ennui"; and soon after, a religious paper called 
the " Christian Advocate," published for about nine mouths by "William Cushing. 
In 1842, a temperance paper, called the "Cold Water Cup," was published for 
about six months by William C. Elleck ; and, in 1847, a workingman's paper 
called the "Voice of Industry," was published, and soon removed to Lowell, 
where it was published for several years. 

We have already spoken of the church which was built at the head of the 
Common in 1796, after a long and arduous struggle as to its location. This 
building was used for a meeting-house and town house until 1837, when it was 
removed to the spot where it uow stands, — the corner of Main and Circle 
streets, — and reconstructed into a town house, for which it was used until the 
erection of the present City Hall iu 1852. 

About 1840 we find the people of Fitchburg alive to the subject of railroads. 
In December, 1841, wc find the following notice in the "Fitchburg Sentinel," 
under the head of "Railroad Meeting": "The citizens of Fitchburg are 
requested to meet at the Town Hall, on Monday evening next, to hear the 
report of the committee on correspondence." This was the commencement of 
a movcmeut, persistently and successfully carried out, to build a railroad from 
Boston to Fitchburg. Alvah Crocker was the conspicuous and moving spirit in 
this enterprise, which was of the greatest importance and value to Fitchburg. 
The Fitchburg Railroad was completed in 1845, and a stone depot was built 
uearly on the site of the present one. It was taken down and a new one built 
in 1878. 

The town continued to grow. The Fitchburg Railroad was followed in a few 
years by the Cheshire and Vermont and Massachusetts railroads. New 
churches, school-houses, roads and sidewalks kept pace with its prosperity. 
The private residences grew every year more costly, but there was and is no 
large and handsome public park. The Common, however, iu front of the 
Unitarian Church, small as it is, is invaluable. Perhaps forty years ago it was 
not in as good condition as now, for we find the following vote on the records 
of a town meeting, November, 1840 : — 

Voted, That a committee of three be chosen, who may be permitted if they sec fit, 
to receive any dunations given tbem by the Indies of Fitchburg, or in iinv other waj-, 
and to appropriate the same in beautifying the Common, provided that they do nothing 
to injure said Common, nor be authorized to charge the town for any expense incurred 
by them." 



4G6 CITV OF FITCHBURG. 

From 1840 to 1860 the town coutiuued to grow steadily. New puper-mills 
were built in West Fitchburg ; the chiiir business enlarged wouderfullj'^ ; the 
iron business was introduced by the Putnam Brothers, and grew rapidly; and 
various other branches of industry were commenced and prospered. The 
Fitchburg and AVorcestcr Railroad went into operation iu February, 1850, and 
the Agricultural Branch Railroad, which was afterwards consolidated with the 
Fitchburg and Worcester, under the name of the Boston, Clinton and Fitch- 
burg Railroad, went into operation in 180.5. 

About 180-1 the subject of furnishing the town with a plentiful supply of pure 
water began to be agitated. The town was growing rapidly, and had Ijccn 
prospering during the war. Many new dwelling-houses had been erected, and 
the area of the village was extending, particularly in the direction of ]\Iyrtle 
Street and Highland Avenue. The tendency is, that iu any large place the wells 
will become contaminated ; and this consideration, together with the increased 
safety and convenience to the town in case of fire, led to a serious consideration 
of the subject. 

April 11, 1861, a committee was appointed in town meeting to ascertain 
"the best method of furnishing the more elevated streets with a proper supply 
of water, in case of fires, and hydrants to conduct and distribute the same." 
It was not till April 9, 18G0, that this committee reported that they had pro- 
cured an act of incorporation, and had secured land covering the necessary 
sites for dams, &c. ; and they tendered the same to the town without compen- 
sation. This report was accepted, but not acted upou. At the same meeting 
a committee of twenty-five was raised to take the whole subject into consider- 
ation, and report at an adjourned meeting. This committee reported in May, 
recommending that a conmiittec of live be appointed to make a survey and 
present plans and estimates to the town. Such a committee was appointed, 
and made an elaborate and favorable report in August of the same year; hut 
the subject was indefinitely postponed. 

In November, 1869, the subject of a general water-supply was again brought 
before the town, and a committee was appointed, consisting of Hon. Alvah 
Crocker, Hon. Ebenezer Torrey, and Moses G. L3'on, Esq., to obtain from the 
legislature a charter for supplying the town with pure water. The charter was 
obtained, but a motion to accept it was defeated in town meeting April 25, 
1870. The friends of the measure were not discouraged. In August of the 
same year they again brought the subject before the town, and this time 
it was accepted, and a board of water commissioners appointed, with instruc- 
tions to present full plans and estimates to the town. They reported ; their 
report was accepted, and they were authorized to goon and construct a system 
of water-works, which was accordingly done. 

The Fitchburg water-su|)|)ly is taken from the Scott and Shattuck brooks, — 
tributaries of Fallulah or Baker's Brook. There are three reservoirs, — Scott, 
Overlook and Marshall. The water for the high-service sujjply is taken from 







-^^ 



~"<%S^^Jf 5/ 



-tjM ''ite-.^-i^,_^ J I r£^ 




KESIDEXCi: OF SAMl-KT. ]:. CltOCKER, rITCIIliriU!, MAS 




KESIDKNCi; OF 3IKS. KFGENK T. JMILES, ri'lCH HI Iirj, 1\IASS. 



AGRICULTURE AND PRODUCTS. 407 

Overlook, and for the low service from Miirshall Reservoir. The three reser- 
voirs will contain at present one hundred and seventy million gallons of water. 
With Scott Reservoir completed, and another reservoir on the Shattuck Brook, 
there will bo a storage capacity of over three hundred and forty million 
gallons. 

Overlook Resei'voir is four hundred feet above the Fitchbnrg Railroad track 
at the depot, and Marshall Reservoir has an elevation of two hundred and six- 
teen feet. These water-works have already proved themselves invaluable in 
cases of tire, and although a largo debt was incurred in their construction, it is 
expected that the water-rents will extinguish it in a reasonable time. 

In 18G8 the town purchased the estates of William W. Comme and Isaac 
Hartwell, which estates covered the square in front of the Court-house, for the 
purpose of erecting thereon a soldiers' monument or memorial hall. In 1874 
a handsome monument was erected npon the grounds. The Court-house, a tine 
stone building, conveniently arranged, was built in 1871. The jail in South 
Fitchburg was built in 1859, and partially burned in 187(5, and rebuilt the 
same j'ear. 

Fitchburg was incorporated as a city in 1872. The first mayor was Hon. 
Amasa Norcross. 

The years following the war were years of high pressure. Manufacturers 
and traders prospered, money was freely spent by individuals, and real estate 
advanced rapidly in price. The growing town demanded improvements, and 
money was freely granted for them. All at (jncc the great cloud of business 
depression shut down npon us, and found Fitchburg, like many other cities and 
towns, burdened with debt; but this debt is gradually being reduced, and the 
outlook for the future is hopefid. 

The business interests of Fitchburg have predominated for a long period, but 
there was a time when the farming interests were almost the only ones. At 
that time the people, being all farmers, lived on the hills, where the best 
tillage land was found. But farmiug was not then play, nor were the crops 
large. The soil of Fitchburg is not of the richest ; but if enriched and carefully 
cultivated it yields good returns. The farmers of Fitchburg have always been 
a worthy and substantial class of its inhabitants. Agricultural fairs, under the 
auspices of the Worcester North Agricultural Society, have been held each 
year for a long time. 

In 1877 the hay crop was estimated at 3,500 tons, and the milk product 
200,000 gallons. The corn crop, the best for years, consisted of about 8,000 
bushels of shelled corn. One farmer harvested about 1,940 bushels of shelled 
corn. The quaulity of oats, rye and barley raised was 2,000 bushels, and 
20,000 bushels of potatoes were dug in spite of the potato bugs. The value 
of eggs and dressed poultry produced was al)out $5,000, and of pears and 
grapes $7,0U0. The value of the agricultural products of Fitchburg for 1875, 
according to the State census, was over $200,000. 



4G8 CITY OF FITCHBURG. 



The increase of population in Fitcliburg from 1765 to 1875 has been as 
follows: — 1765, 259; 1776,643; 1700, 1,151; 1800, 1,3<J0; 1810, 1,566; 
1820, 1,736; 1830, 2,169; 1840, 2,604; 1850, 5,120; 1860, 7,805; 1870, 
11,260; 1875, 12,289. 

The increase of valuation of Fitchburg from 1831 to 1875 has been as 
follows: — 1831, $406,879; 1841, $721,486; 1850, $2,039,864; 1861, 
$3,714,437; 1871, $11,067,361 ; 1875, $12,518,742. 



CHAPTER IV. 

POLITICAL EVENTS POSITION DURING THE REVOLUTION — 5IINUTE-MEN — 

LEGAL SCALE OF PRICES — DEPRECIATED CURRENCY — SIIAYS' REBELLION 

DIA'ISION OF THE COUNTY SLAVERY AGITATION RESPONSE TO CALL OF 

1861 MILITARY MOVEMENTS CELEBRATION OP THE IIUNDEEDTII YEAR. 

The early settlers of New England Avcre democrats in a broad, unpartisan 
sense. Local self-government has nowhere been better exemplified than in 
the town governments of our forefathers. For the sake of liberty the}' came 
to this land ; for liberty they endured the perils and hardsliips incident to a 
new and rugged country; and they were determined to maintain these dearly- 
bought liberties at all hazards. The first encroachments upon their rights 
were resisted with determination, and when they became convinced of a design 
to make them mere dependencies, subservient to the will of the English 
Gf)vernmcnt, they took up arms and declared their independence, but not 
without a struggle between their love of liberty and their feelings of lovalty. 

From the town of IJoston came the speeches, the circulars and pamphlets 
which fired the heart of the country round about, and nerved the people for 
the step which they were finally forced to take. Owing to the stubborn 
resistance of the Colonies, the odious stamp act was repealed by the English 
Government, but the next j'car the revenue act was passed, which contained 
the obnoxious principle, taxation without representation, and the people were 
awakened to resistance. 

In September, 1768, the selectmen of Fitchburg received from the selectmen 
of Boston a letter requesting them to call a town meeting to take into 
consideration the critical condition of public alTairs, and to choose an agent to 
meet them in Boston and show there the views, wishes and determination of 
the people of Fitchburg upon the subject. The citizens of the town met 
according!}', and chose, in connection with the town of Lunenburg, the Hon. 
Edward Ilartwell, of the latter place, to be their agent. 

The British ^linistry determined to press their measures, and the people 



PATRIOTIC FEELING. 469 

contiiuR'd to resist, until their leading spirits began to recognize the necessity 
of preparation for possible open rebellion, and accordingly they determined to 
ascertain the sentiment of the various towns throughout the Commonwealth on 
the subject. As a result the town of Fitchburg received another letter from 
the town of Boston in December, 1773, requesting the citizens to meet and 
pass such resolves concerning their rights and privileges as they were willing 
to die in maintaining, and to send them to the Committee of Correspondence 
in Boston. A town meeting was held accordingly, and we cannot refrain from 
giving here a portion of the record, as entered upon the book of the town 
clerk : — 

'• At a legal town meeting, held in Fitchburg on the first day of December, 177;!, in 
order to take into consideration the letters of correspondency from the town of Boston, 
— the town made choice of Mr. Isaac Gibson as moderator for the government of said 
meeting. These said letters were read before the town, and after the town had 
deliberated upon them with zeal and candor, it was unanimously agreed to choose a 
committee of seven men, and chose Mr. Isaac Gibson, Capt. Koubcn Gibson, Messrs. 
Phineas Hartwell, Ebcnezer Wood, Ebenozer Bridge, Kendall Boutelle and Solomon 
Steward as a committee to consider of our constitutional rights and privileges, in 
common with other towns in the Province, together with the man\- flagrant infringe- 
ments that have been made thereon, and to report at the adjournment, and then this 
meeting was adjourned to the 15tli of the same month." 

At the adjourned meeting the committee presented quite a lengthy, argu- 
mentative and forcible report, which is entered in full upon the pages of the 
town records. 

The report, after referring to the many late infringements of their liberties, 
of the value of those rights and liljerties, and the necessity of vigilance and 
comliined endeavor to preserve them, goes on to speak of the enemies of 
liberty as "the enemies of our lawful sovenign. King George, and his illus- 
trious family." After supplicating the Deity to preserve the people of Great 
Britain from political lethargy, it proceeds to say : " And wo are fond of having 
our little obscure names associated with our American brethren, as instruments 
in the hand of God to save Britain from that complete destruction which is 
now meditating and visibly impending." The report concludes as follows : — 

" And with respect to the East Ind}- Tea ; forasmuch as we are now informed that 
the town of Boston and the neighboring towns have made such noble opposilion to said 
Tea's being brought into Boston, subject to a duty so directly tending to the enslaving 
of America, it is our opinion that your opposition is just and equitable; and the [jeoplc 
of this town arc readj' to afford all the assistance in their power to keep off all such 
infringements." 

To the General Court of 1774 Dr. John Taylor of Lunenburg was chosen 
representative. It was deemed appropriate that his constituents should give 
him written instructions. As he was chosen jointly by the citizens of Luncu- 



470 CITY OF FITCHBUEG. 



burw and Fitchlnirg, ii commiltce consisting of three gentlemen from the former 
place, and Isaac Gibson and Phineas Hartwell of the latter, wore appointed to , 
draft written inslruclions by wliich he should be guided in the House of 
Representatives. They were as follows : — 

"Dr. John Tatlou — Sir: As j-ou arc chosen by the towns of Lunenburg and 
Fitcbburg to represent them in tlic Great and CIcncral Court for the present year, we 
think it our duty, under the present alarming circumstances of public aflairs, to give 
you the following instructions, viz. : Tliat you l)ear testimony against all riotous prac- 
tices and all other unconstitutional proceedings, and that you do not by any means 
whatsoever, either directly or indirectly give ui) any of our charter rights and privileges ; 
and that you use your endeavors that those that wc have been abridged of may be 
restored to us, and that you use your influence that provision may be made for 
discountenancing all unwarrantal)le practices with respect to bribery in those that set 
themselves up as candidates for representatives for the people, cither by way of treats 
or entertainments, which may have been too frequent a practice in many places, — and 
further we would have you move in the General Assembly that there might be a 
Congress and Union with all the Provinces, and in case anything extraordinary should 
happen or ai)pear, that you should immediately notify your constituents. There are ' 
many things lesser in importance that we must leave iliscretiouary with yourself, 
trusting that you will often revolve in your mind how great a trust is devolved upon 
you, and that you will give constant attendance so far as you are able, to the business 
to which you are appointed ; and we hope that you will be actuated by a spirit of 
impartialitj-, free from private views and sinister ends." 

We do not know to what extent Dr. John Taylor profited by his instructions, 
but they were certainly Ivorthy of serious consideration, not only by liim, but 
by every subsecpicnt representative to the Great and General Court. 

The time for action was apjiroaching, and the Provincial Congress, which 
met in the autumn of 1774 at Concord, drew up a plan for the defence of the 
Province, and voted that at least one-half the militia bo enrolled as minute- 
men. Capt. David Goodridge was sent as a delegate from Fdchburg to this 
Congress, and as bis services were to be paid for by contribution, the town 
voted th;it, if there should bo any overplus after Jiaying him, it should be 
appropriated to the purchase of powder; and about fifty dollars in money was 
also ai)propriatcd for the purchase of powder, lead and flints. In November 
fort}- men were enlisted to form a company of minute-meu. At the same 
meeting it was voted to indemnify the constables for refusing to pay over the 
money which had been assessed by the Province into the hands of Harrison 
Gray, Esq. ; also, " to indemnify the assessors for refusing to return the names 
of such constables, though requested." 

On the tenth day of January, 1775, Capt. David Goodridge was chosen a del- 
egate to the Provincial Congress, which was to meet at Cambridge on the first 
day of February. A committee was also chosen to review and inspect the 
minute company, and Joseph Fox was appointed to receive any articles which 




KESIUli.NXK or KODMCV W.VI.LACi:, ITTCHBUKCi, .MAS 




HESIUENCE OP WILLIAM H. VdSK, KITCHBURG, MASS. 



KEVOLUTIOXARY SOLDIERS. 471 

the inhabitants of the town miglit see fit to contribute to tiio relief of the poor 
of Boston, ^\'iio were now suflcring under the vengeance of the British Parlia- 
meut for tlie tea allair. 

The eventful IDth of April arrived and found the little town ready for action. 
So rapidly did the news spread that at nine o'clock in the morning the alarm 
was fired in front of the store of Dea. Ephraim Kimball, in the Old City, where 
the guns and equipments of the minute-men -were kept. The company had 
spent the previous day at drill, and at the summons the members promptly 
assembled in front of the little store, and being joined by a few volunteers, 
about fifty men soon took up their lino of march for Concord, under the com- 
mand of Capt. Ebenczcr Bridge, -who afterwards became Colonel. They 
arrived at Concord in the eveaiug, in time to sec some dead bodies and some 
wounded British soldiers. 

We who have, during the war of the Rebellion, sent so many of our most 
promising young men to battle and danger and death, can appreciate the feel- 
ings of this little community throughout that long day and the next. They 
knew not the issue, nor how terrible would bo the struggle ; and their heroism 
and self-sacrifice were tested. But while the young and the strong marched to 
the conflict, those at home were busy providing for them. A large wagon was 
filled with provisions and sent on towards Concord, under the care of Thomas 
Cowdin, Jr. 

The following arc the names of the Fitchburg minute-men : Ebenczcr Bridge, 
David Goodridge, Nicholas Danforth, John Thurston, Isaac Gibson, Isaac Gib- 
son, Jr., Reuben Gibson, Samuel Gibson, Abraham Gibson, Phineas Ilartwell, 
Jonathan Holt, Ephraim Haywood, Joseph Ilolt, Benjamin Kemp, Joseph Low, 
AI)raham Jaquilh, John Putnam, Daniel Putnam, Jonathan Pago, Joseph 
Phelps, Jonathan Russell, John Soley, Samuel Locke, Phineas Sawyer, Jr., 
William Thurlo, Jacob Upton, William Tidmash, John Vinniu, Kendall Bou- 
tcll, Elijah Carter, Nehcmiah FuUam, Francis Fullam, Joseph Fox, David 
Goodale, Ilezekiah Ilodgkins, Joseph Wheeler, James Pool, Jacob Mclutirc, 
David Peircc, Asa Perry, Scth Phillips, Jonathan Wood, Isaac Ilolden, Samuel 
Burbank. 

The above list was obtained from Alouzo P. Goodrich, and was copied from 
a paper once in the possession of his great grandfather, David Goodridge. In 
addition to these rainutc-men there was a training band of one hundred and 
twenty-eight men, a few of whom, including at least John Goodridge, went witli 
the minute-men to Concord. 

The services of the Fitchburg minute-men not being needed, most of them 
returned, and the provisions not consumed were sold, and the proceeds, 
amounting to $48.50 were given to the Rev. John Payson, on the principle that 
what is not given to those who fight should be given to those who pray. 

It was now necessary to organize a permanent army to defend the towns 
around Boston. Fitchburg and Lunenburg, as their part in the work, enlisted 



472 CITY OF FITCIIBURG. 

:iik1 sent forward a company of volunteers to serve for eighteen months. John 
Fuller of Lunenburg was captain of this compan}', and Ei)enezer Bridge of 
FiU'hburg was lieutenant. About thirty men from Fitchburg were constantly 
in the army until the evacuation of Boston by (he British, in 177G, 

From ten to a dozen of the inhabitants of Fitchburg wei'c engaged in the 
battle of Bunker Hill. John Gibson, son of Isaac Gibson, who lived near 
Pearl Hill, where Mrs. Levi Kendall uow resides, was killed in that engage- 
ment. He enlisted in Ashb\-, in the company of Capt. Wyman, and on the 
roll is written against his name, "killed June 17." The next jear the select- 
men of Fitchburg petitioned to the Committee of Clothing of Massachusetts 
Bay, for the sum of twenty-five shillings, for the benefit of the heirs of the 
deceased John Gibson, as he had not drawn a coat. John Gibson was twenty- 
eight years old, and was married to Hannah Martin of Lunenburg. He was 
l)ossessed of great bodily strength, and when last seen was opposing the enemy 
in the entrenchments with (he breech of his gun. 

Two of the Gibson family, Jonathan and Nathaniel, were in the battle of 
Bennington. One of their descendants carried a Hessian drum which was cap- 
lured in that battle, to the celebration of the Centennial anniversary of the 
battle of Bennington in 1877. This drum is owned by Francis Boutwell of 
this city. 

In March, 1770, the town, by order of the General Court, chose a commit- 
tee of correspondence, consisting of Reuben Gibson, Kendall Boutelle, Asa 
Perry, John Putnam and Silas Snow. 

The Continental Congress at Philadelphia was now seriously considering the 
question of a public Declaration of Independence, but before committing them- 
selves beyond retreat its members were anxious to know just how fully they 
would be supported by the various Provinces. The General Court of Massa- 
chusetts assured the Congress that the people of that Colony would undoubtedly 
support them. But to make mattei's sure they asked each town to act for itself 
upon the measure. The answer of Fitchburg was as follows : — 

"Voted in town meeting, that if the IIonoral)le Continental Congress should Cor 
the safety of these United Colonies, declare them independent of the kingdom of Great 
Biitain, that we, the inhaliitaiits of tiie town of Fitchburg, will, with our lives and for- 
tunes support them in the measure." 

This was on the first day of July, at which time Congress, although unknown 
to them, h;ul actually committed itself to the irrevocable step. 

Upon the 4th of July the Declaration of Independence received its final 
passage by Congress, and copies were at once made out and sent to the several 
Colonics. Upon its reception at Boston, the authorities sent copies to the vari- 
ous towns in the Province, requesting that it be read to each congregation by 
tlic minister on the afternoon of the first Lord's Day after its reception, and 
that it be entered upon the records of each town "as a perpetual memorial 



POLITICAL DIFFICULTIES. 473 

thereof." Accordingly we find it entered in fnll upon the records of tlic town 
of Fitchburg ; and wo have no doubt that on the " first Lord's Day after its 
reception," the Rev. John Payson rose in his pulpit in the little church on the 
hill, and solemnly and slowly read to the assembled congregation that instru- 
n)ent, then so new, but now so timc-hallowcd — the Magna Charta of our liber- 
ties. Wo fancy we sec the grave, but earnest faces turned towards the minis- 
tor, with looks of sympathy and approval, and, as he read the concluding par- 
agraph, the stern disapproving look of Thomas Cowdin, Esq., and a few other 
honest but loyal souls. 

In February, 1776, the warrant for town meeting ran thus : "In his Majesty's 
name," &c. In May, the warrant ran as follows : " In the name of the writ to 
us directed, these are in the name of the Governor and people of Massachu- 
setts Bay." After the Declaration of Independence the warrants ran thus : 
"In (he name of the State of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay." 

In October, 1776, the question was submitted to the town whether it was 
willing that the Representative House, together with the Council, should make 
a form of government for the State of Massachusetts Bay. The answer of 
Fitchburg was in the negative : — 

" Firstly, — Because the present House were never elected by the people to establish a 
form of government for this State, but for ordering and governuig the prudential affairs 
of this embarrassed State, as necessity calls for their strict attention thereto. Sec- 
ondly, — Because a large number of our worthy inhabitants of this State are now engaged 
in the service of the United States in opposing our unnatural enemies, who, we appre- 
hend, ought of right to have an equal voice in establishing a form of government for 
this State, as those that are not engaged in the army. But provided the present House 
of Representatives, together with the Council, should proceed to make a form of gov- 
ernment, Resolved, that it is the opinion of this town that said form of government 
should be made public for the perusal and inspection of the inhabitants, before the rati- 
fication thereof by the assembly' ." 

The people, having put their hands to the plow, could not turn back, nor 
did they wish to do it ; but none the less did the evils of war press heavily 
upon them. Not, as with us, were those evils mitigated by busy workshops 
and looms, and good wages in good money. Prices were high, but there was 
no money but a depreciated paper currency, and trade was embarrassed. The 
General Court tried to remedy the evil of high prices, and, to effect this, 
divided the State, in 1777, into districts, ordering a committee to be chosen in 
each, whose duty it should be to make a scale of prices which it should be 
unlawful to exceed. This scheme, however, like such schemes in general, 
proved a failure. Fitchburg, Groton, Shirley, Townsend and Limenburg 
comprised one district. These are a few of the prices as fixed by the com- 
mittee : — 

Labor of men in summer, per da}', . . . . . . $0 50 

" " " " winter, " " 25 



474 CITY OF FITCHBURG. 



Wheat, per bushel, .... .... $1 11 



Corn, 



5C 



Pork, per pound, OG 

Butter," " ^2^ 

Beef, " " 06 

Lamb, mutton and veal, per pound, O^i 

Potatoes, per bushel, ^' 

Good sheep's wool, per pound, 33 

Men's shoes, per pair, 1 «^>^ 

Hay, per ton, 10 00 

Pine boards, per thousand, 3 07 

Wheat flour, per 100 pounds, 3 0* 

Dinner, roasted and boiled, 1 ' 

MugofW. I. Flip, 15i 

" " N. E. " 12^ 

Good cider, per barrel, 1 S3 

Yard-wide cotton cloth, 58 

House-maids, per week, 42 

Horse for one person to ride, per mile, 03 J 

Our fathers were stern and strict with those whom they suspected of being 
disloj-al or lukewarm in the cause of independence. Piiineas Ilartwell was 
appointed, in the year 1777, to procure evidence that might be had of any who 
might be charged by the freeholders with having an "inimical" disposition 
towards any of the United States. " More than cue inhabitant of the town," 
says Mr. Torrey, "was threatened with a coat of tar and feathers, and even 
with the destruction of his house. They were even compelled to mount the 
head of a barrel, and, in this conspicuous though humbling position, promise 
to the assembled majesty of the town a greater love for the American cause, 
and a more strict obedience to the will of the people." Our good Iriend, 
Thomas Cowdin, was among this suspected class, and he was debarred from 
all town ofliccs till the end of the war. 

In 1778, the town approved of the Articles of Confederation sent out by the 
Continental Congress, and, about the same time, the new State Constitution 
was also approved, the vote in regard to the latter standing: for the Constitu- 
tion, 22 ; against it, 4. 

The burdens of the war pressed more and more heavily upon the people. 
The condition of the finances grew daily worse, and the evils of a paper cur- 
rency were never more plainly seen. The Continental money became at la>t 
worth almost nothing. So greatly did it depreciate that at a town meeting 
held in February, 1780, it was voted that the inhabitants should be allowed 
three dollars per hour for labor on the highways. In July, it was voted to 
raise $166,000, to hire soldiers with. In the October following, a committee 
of the town contracted for 4,800 pounds of beef, and agreed to pay $26,000 
for it, or $5.42 per pound. In March, 1781, Phineas Sawyer and John Carter 



AFTER THE WAR. 475 



■were fined $900 each for refusing to serve as collectors of taxes, which sum was 
considered as equal to $10 in hard money, as that was the usual fine in such 
cases. At the same meeting, the town appropriated $20,000 for highways. 

The town found it diflicult to raise soldiers, and, as with us during the 
Rebellion, largo bounties were oflTered to induce men to volunteer. These 
were sometimes as high as three hundred dollars, and were paid in notes, pay- 
able in produce. 

The depreciation of money must have been heavily felt by the Rev. John 
Payson, who ministered to the town in spiritual afl'airs. lie was settled at an 
annual salar}' of £60, which was punctuall}- paid him, but which, a few j'ears 
after the commencement of the war, must have amounted to a mere pittan.ce. 
However, the town took pity upon him, and in March, 1777, appointed a 
committee to carry a subscription among the inhabitants, that they might con- 
tribute "the necessaries of life, or anything they pleased for his support." 
The committee reported that Mr. Payson expressed himself as well pleased 
with the result of their labors. In October of the same year, he received 
$1,000, and in November $2G6 more, as his salary for the year, the whole 
being equivalent to about $180 in hard money. In 1780, it was voted to pay 
him $11,000 to make up for past depreciation. 

At this period, notes were generally given, payable in so many bushels of 
corn, and such notes were used as a substitute for money. It was a common 
thing to stipulate to pay either in produce or in "hard money." For instance, 
the town voted to pay John Thurston lOG bushels of corn "for the services of 
his son Stephen in the Continental Army." In 1781, when "nine Continental 
men ' were called for, it was voted to pay them each $100 in hard money, and 
an agent was despatched to Boston to borrow the same on the town's credit. 

In May, 1780, the present State Constitution was submitted to the people, 
and adopted unanimously by the town of Fitchburg (G5 votes being cast). 
In September, John Hancock received Go votes for governor, and James 
Bowdoin 1. In October, Capt. Thomas Cowdin was chosen to represent the 
town in the first General Court under the new Constitution. It seems remark- 
able that Capt. Cowdin, if he, as reported, was lukewarm in the American 
cause, should have been the man to be thus honored. At any rate, the j^eople 
must have believed in his honesty and sincerity. 

In September, 1782, David Mclntire was chosen a delegate to the conven- 
tion at Worcester, assembled "to take into consideration the grievances 
Worcester County labored under"; and in March, 1784, he was appointed to 
attend a convention at the same place, called by request of the town of Sutton. 
In May, 1784, it was voted to raise £80 to discharge an execution in the hands 
of the high sheriff against the town for "dilEciency of beef." 

At last the war was over ; but there never was a war that was not followed 
by crime and suffering, and the Revolution was no exception. Business was 
at a standstill, and there was very little monej*. Almost every one was in 



476 CITY OF FITCIIBURG. 



debt, and creditors pressed most urgently for payment. The State of Massa- 
chusetts, to maintain her credit, was obliged to tax the people heavily ; and 
they ijccamo impatient, and finally turbulent, at seeing their property every- 
where seized on execution. Petition after petition, and remonstrance after 
remonstrance, were sent to the legislature, but without satisfaction ; and at 
last a portion of the people broke into open rebellion. 

Shays' Rebellion is undoubtedly a blot upon the history of Massachusetts, 
j'ct we would find some excuse for it. There were undoubtedly grievances 
hard to bear ; and yet they could not have been such as to justify resistance to 
law. The people of Fitchburg, as well as of the neighboring towns, were 
largely and warmly in sympathy with the Shaysites. Though they did not 
break into open rebellion, they were on the very verge of it, and used much 
strong language. Some of the taxes ordered by the General Court were not 
collected. But the people of Fitchburg were always prudent, and proceeded 
cautiously. In June, 1786, Eobcrt Burnham, Daniel Putnam, Thomas Stearns, 
Elijah Willard and Phiucas Hartwell were chosen a conniiittee to take into 
consideration the circumstances of the town and its burdens, and to petition 
to the General Court for a redress of grievances. At the same meeting, Elijah 
Willard was appointed a delegate to a convention of the people of the county 
of Worcester, "to take into considei-ation the pui)lic aflairs of the Common- 
wealth" ; and it was voted that the town would defend his property if he should 
betaken in person for his attendance; "provided he behaved himself in an 
orderly aud peaceal)le manner ; otherwise, he is to risk it himself.'" 

The State Government proceeded to put down Shays' Rebellion promptly by 
force of arms. A company of soldiers was sent from Lancaster to Fitchl)urg 
to examine into the loyalty of the people. They were quartered in Thomas 
Cowdin's tavern, in the Old City, for a few days, and were then removed to 
the old tavern-house on Pearl Street, which they made their permanent quar- 
ters, and from which they used to sally out at night, seize upon suspected 
persons, and liring them before Esquiie Cowdin, who, true to his natural dispo- 
sition, remained loyal to the government. Esquire Cowdin, upon investigating 
facts, compelled them to take the oath of allegiance or go to jail. 

As might be expected, a largo portion of the people were indignant at these 
proceedings. People who might otherwise have been peaceable and quiet were 
probably made pugnacious by the presence of a military force among them, and 
a collision between the latter and the people was imminent. The Gibsons of 
Pearl Hill were threatened with a nocturnal visit ; but those doughty yeomen 
dared the soldiers to lay hands on them, and, their strength and valor being 
so well known, they were unmolested. Joshua Peircc was seized, brought 
before Esquire Cowdin, and, upon refusing to take the oath, was held in 
custody and harsh measures were threatened ; but ho was finally released 
through fear of the people. Dr. Jonas Marshall was also sought, but he 
secreted himself in the cellar of Upton's tavern, and threatened to furnish the 




KODNEY WALLACi; 



I'AFER JIII.I., FITCHHVKG, MASS. (Old Mill) 




JtOUNEY WALLACE'S PAPER MILL, FITCHHVKG, MASS. (NcW Mill). 



ANTI-SLAVERY :\I0VE:»IEXTS. 477 

entry of his residence with a trap-door, that unwelcome visitors might sud- 
denly lind themselves in the cellar. The soldiers were soon sent toTownseud, 
and the people were relieved of their unwelcome presence. 

It seems to have been the opinion of our ancestors from an early period that 
the county of Worcester might and ought to he divided. In October, 17G4, 
the year of the incorporation of the town, a committee Avas chosen to confer 
with committees of some of the neigliboriiig towns in relation to the matter. 
Again, in August, 1784, Dea. Kendall Boutcllo and Thomas Stearns were 
chosen delegates to a convention in Westminster, holden for "the purpose of 
dividing the county of Worcester, or devising means for that purpose"; and, 
ill the Ma}' of the next year, Dr. Jonas Marshall, Capt. Thomas Cowdin and 
Elijah Garfield attended a convention at Lunenburg, held for the same pur- 
pose. At various tiines since, efforts have been made in the same direction, 
but uniformly without success. 

It appears from a remonstrance sent to the General Court in 1804, that the 
number of legal voters was then one hundred and eighty-one. 

The town appears to have given an overwhelming mnjority of votes for John 
Hancock for governor in eleven different years between 1780 and 1794. The 
largest vote in opposition to him was given for Elbridge Gerry in 1788 ; the 
vote standing, John Hancock, thirty-nine ; Elbridge Gerry, twelve. In 1794 
]\lr. Gerry received but two votes ; but he came to the front in 1800, when he 
received a majority, and the same for two years more. In 1803 he I'eceivcd 
sixt\'-three votes, and his opponent, Caleb Strong, the same number. He then 
seems to have been out of the field for six years, when he again appears, and 
received a majority of votes from 1810 to 1813. From 1816 to 1823 John 
Brooks appears to be occasionally in the majority and occasionally in the 
minority as a candidate for the same ofEce. In 1835 Edward Everett received 
one hundred and fifty-one votes, and Marcus Morton eighty-five. 

The question of slaver}' appeared as a "cloud no bigger than a man's hand" 
upon the political horizon ; for years it waxed larger and larger until it covered 
the sky, and amid thunders and lightnings and tempest it passed away. The 
history of Fitchburg in regard to the slavery question is, of course, much like 
the history of other towns in New England. A small baud of earnest 
enthusiasts gradually leavened society, until, in 1860, Fitchburg was on firm 
auti-slavery ground. 

The political campaign of 1860 was an intensely exciting one for Fitchburg. 
The interest centered in the contest for representative to Congress from this 
district. Eli Thayer of Worcester, who adopted the " sqnatter sovereignty " 
platform, was run by the Democrats aud a portion of the Republicans against 
Goldsmith F. Bailey of Fitchburg, the regular Republican candidate. It was 
a close contest, but ]\Ir. Thayer was defeated. Mr. Bailey served but a short 
time in Congress, when he was obliged to retire from duty on account of his 
health. He died of consumption in May, 18G2. 



478 CITY OF FITCHBURG. 

The following is the vote of Fitchburg for Prcsideut, govcruor, and repre- 
sentative in Congress for 1860 : — 

For Pvesldent.—Who\Q number of votes, 1,331. Lincoln, 927; Douglas, 
231; Bell, 161; Breckinridge, 12. 

For Governor. — Whole number of votes, 1,327. John A. Andrew, 911 ; 
E. D. Beach, 232; Amos Lawrence, 173; B. F. Butler, 11. 

For Bepresenlalii-e in Conf/ress. — G. F. Bailey, 685 ; Eli Thayer, 613. 

The news of the firing upon Fort Sumter reached Fitchburg upon the 13th 
of April, 1861, and this was succeeded by the news of the call of the President 
for seventy-five thousand volunteers. There were then two companies of 
militia in town, whose services were at once tendered to Gov. Andrew ; but 
the State quota was already filled. On the 19th of April came the news of the 
attack on the sixth regiment at Baltimore. On the 20th a public meeting was 
held in the town hall, at which the following resolutions were presented and 
unanimously adopted : — 

" Resolved, That we respond cordially to the proclamation of the President of the 
United States ; that we declare our unflinching resolution to support our government in 
its struggle to maintain its lionor, integrity and existence. 

" Resolved, That we will use our utmost endeavors to secure a vote of the town 
whereby the sum of $10,000 shall be raised by direct tax, which sum of money shall be 
appropriated to provide for the support of the families of any of the soldiers who may 
be called out during the present war, and for fitting out and equipping such men." 

On the 27th of April, at a legal town meeting, the sum of ten thousand dol- 
lars was unanimously appropriated for the benefit of the soldiers and their 
families. 

All was now excitement and patriotic ardor. Men, women and children 
were anxious to show their patriotism. On Thursday, the 16th of May, the 
two Fitchburg companies paraded the streets ; fiags were thrown to the breeze 
from the high and grammar school building on High Street, and from the 
grammar school building on Day Street. Speeches were made, and poems read, 
interspersed with music suitable to the occasion. In the evening there was a 
presentation of flags to the military companies by the ladies of the town. 

Something, however, was done of a more serious nature than the making of 
speeches, the raising of flags and the marching of processions. Tlie President 
issued a call for three-years troops, and Capt. James Savage, Jr., of Boston, 
opened a recruiting otBcc in Fitchburg, May 1, 1861, and raised a company in 
about a week. A large majority of the men, however, were from other towns, 
owing to the f\ict that Fitchburg men preferred to go with the two Fitchburg 
companies, the Fusileers and Guards, which were already organized. The 
company was designated as company D, second Massachusetts regiment. It 
was mustered into the United States service May 11, 1861, and left the State 
July 8 to join the army of the upper Potomac. It was afterwards with Gen. 
Banks in the Shenandoah Valley in 18G2, and was engaged in the battle of 



THE CIVIL WAR. 479 



Cedsir Mountain. It afterwards took part in the battle of Antictam. In 18G3 
it was engaged in the Chanceilorsvillc campaign, and took part in the disastrous 
battle of that name. Most of the company re-cnlistcd at the end of three 
years, served in Tennessee and Georgia, and accompanied Sherman on his 
"march to the sea." It was mustered out of service July 14, 18G5. 

The next company which enlisted from Fitchbnrg was the Fitchlnug 
Fnsileers, which, on the 11th of May, 18G1, voted to volunteer for the war. 
The Fusilcers left the town on the 28th of June, and their departure was the 
occasion of a public demonstration by the citizens. They were incorporated 
into the fifteenth Massachusetts regiment, and were soon engaged in the battle 
of Ball's Bluff, where they lost heavily. In 18C2 they served with McClcllan 
on the Peninsula, and afterwards took part in the battle of Antictam. They 
served in the Shenandoah Valley campaign, and were engaged in the battle of 
Gettysburg. The regiment accompanied Grant through the " Wilderness," and 
was mustered out at Worcester July 21, 18G4. 

The Washington Guards left town July 19, 1861, and were mustered into 
the United States service as company D of the twenty-first Massachusetts 
regiment. They joined the expedition of Gen. Burnside, then fitting out for 
Xorth Carolina ; were engaged in the battle of Newbern ; afterwards returned 
to Maryland; took part at the battle of Antietam, and, later, in the battle of 
Fredericksburg. In 1863 the regiment went West, and was part of the force 
which was besieged (ov some time in Knoxville, Tenn. It afterwards took part 
in the battles of the Wilderness, and was engaged at Petersburg. It w^as 
mustered out of service Aug. 30, 1864. 

Company F, twenty-fifth Massachusetts regiment, left Fitchburg about the 
1st of October, 1861, for camp at Worcester, and soon after went to Annapolis 
to join Burnsido"s expedition. This regiment went out under the command of 
Col. Edwin Upton of Fitchburg. It took part in the battle of Roanoke Island 
and in the capture of Newbern. It afterwards came home on a furlough, and 
returned in March, 1864, to Virginia, where it was engaged in the battle of 
Coal Harbor, and for a short time before being mustered out was stationed in 
Xorth Carolina. 

In July, 1862, the President called for three hundred thousand more men, 
and, in response to this call, it was determined to send out another company 
from Fitchburg. A citizens' meeting was held on Saturday, July 12, at which 
meeting it was unanimously 

" Resolved, That, as citizens of the town of Fitchburg, we are desirous of giving an 
earnest and practical response to the appeal of hia excellency the governor of Massa- 
chusetts to the several towns of the Commonwealth, and of taking eflfective measures 
to do our share in support of the administration of the United Stales in its renewed 
efforts for the suppression of the rebellion." 

Measures were taken at the same time to call a town meeting, and a com- 
mittee was chosen to canvass for recruits. 



480 CITY OF FITCHBURG. 

At the town meeting held July 19, measures were taken for the first time for 
offering bounties. It was voted at that time to pay a bounty of one hundred 
dollars to each recruit, the sum not to exceed in all $10,100. 

A company was formed which was incorporated into the thirty-sixth regi- 
ment as compau}' A, and left town for camp Aug. 1, 18G2. The thirt3--sixth 
regiment first joined Burnside's command in Maryland ; was afterwards engaged 
in the battle of Fredericksburg, and went West in 18G3, to take part in the 
siege of Vicksburg. It afterwards went through a terrible marching-campaign 
in Mississippi, during which it lost many men from disease and exhaustion. The 
company was afterwards at the siege of Knoxville, and, later, was taken to 
A'irginia, and went through the battles of the Wilderness, and took part in the 
siege of Petersburg. It was mustered out June 21, 18G5. 

In August, 1862, there was a call for nine months men, to which the town 
responded promptly by raising two full companies in a few days. A bounty of 
one hundred dollars was voted to each man. These companies were companies 
A and B of the fifty-third Massachusetts regiment, which was placed under 
the command of Col. J. W. Kimball of Fitchburg. These two companies left 
Fitchburg for camp the last week in September ; were mustered into service 
Oct. 17, 1862, and left camp November 29, to join Gen. Banks's expedition for 
the South. The regiment followed the fortunes of the expedition in Louisiana ; 
was present and actively engaged at the siege of Port Hudson ; was present at 
the surrender, and arrived home Aug 24, 1863, where it was given a grand 
reception by the citizens of Fitchburg and the surrounding towns. It was 
mustered out Aug. 31, 1863. 

In Octoljer, 1863, the President called for three hundred thousand more men, 
and it was determined to raise another company in town. Kccruiling was 
commenced, but it was February before the company was filled. It was 
designated as company F, fifty-seventh Massachusetts regiment. Tiie com- 
pany left the State with the regiment April 18, 1864, for Annapolis ; joined 
the Ninth Arnw Corps ; was marched to the front, and soon engaged in the 
battles of the "Wilderness. It took part in the assault at the explosion of the 
mine before Petersburg, and, during the remaining time of service, was 
stationed in the vicinit}'. It was mustered out July 30, 1865. 

Under the call of the President for one year men, issued July 18, 1864, a 
company of heavy artillery was raised in Fitchburg. These men received a 
bounty of $200 each. The company left town August 13, and the State Sep- 
tember 13. It saw uo active service, but faithfully and elHcicntly performed duty 
in garrisoning forts on the Virginia side of the Potomac. It was mustered out 
Juno 17, 1865. 

In May, 1862, two companies from Fitchburg offered themselves for the 
defence of Washington, under a call of the President for three months men. 
Gov. Andrew called upon the militia on the 26th, and on the same 
evening two companies from this town were on their way to Boston. But the 



SOLDIERS' MONIBIENT. 481 

troops were not neetled at Washington and the companies returned, after being 
quartered two nights in Faneuil Hall. 

Under the drafts of 1863 and ISGl, two hundred and lifty-six men were 
drawn from Fitchburg; two hundred and forty-one of them in 18G3, and 
sixteen more in 1864. Most of these furnished substitutes or paid commuta- 
tion. 

All these companies served faithfully and creditably in whatever situations 
they were placed, and Fitchburg mourns to-day for many of its best and most 
promising young men, who died for their country at the post of duty. Her 
precious "Roll of Honor," contains the names of thirteen commissioned officers 
and one hundred and twentj'-niue enlisted men, who died in battle, or from 
wounds or disease. 

The town of Fitchburg appreciated the privations, sufferings and sacrifices 
of her soldiers, and did what she could to mitigate them. Besides the assist- 
ance which was rendered to the families of volunteers by the town in its 
corporate capacity, there were various committees and organizations, the 
duties of which were to aid and relieve those who on bloody battle-fields, in 
camp or in prison, were upholding for them, through trial, privation or death, 
the political institutions of the country. 

In April, 1862, the town voted "that the selectmen bo authorized to pay for 
the support of the families of volunteers such sums as they think their circum- 
stances may require." This vote was repeated each year of the war, and the 
money thus appropriated was in addition to the State aid authorized by the 
legislature. 

The Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Society of Fitchbui-g, was organized in September, 
1861. A detailed account of the work of this society would fill a volume. 
Suffice it to say that the eloquent and grateful letters received from various 
companies, thanking them for aid received, show a great and good work, ably 
and indefatigably performed. 

The Soldiers' Relief Committee had its origin at a meeting of the citizens 
held in the town hall, on the 26th of September, 1861, "to organize for the 
more effectual aid and comfort of the soldiers in the field, from this town, 
and their families." The committee then raised for that purpose, did a good 
work in sending relief to sick and wounded soldiers, and to our men in the 
rebel prisons. 

Soon after the close of the war the question began to be agitated of erecting 
some memorial to the soldiers. After considerable discussion in various town 
meetings, it was finally decided to erect a soldiers' monument, which was 
accordingly done. It was finished in 1874, and dedicated June 26, at which 
time there was a large demonstration of citizens, and military and civic organi- 
zations. An oration was delivered by Gc>n. N. P. Danks. The monument 
was designed by Martin Milmore, and cost about $25,000. The whole cost, 
including laud and monument, was $75,000. 



482 CITY OF FITCHBURG. 

Oue event which hjippencd in the last year of the war we will mention here, 
and tiiat was the cck-hralioii of the one hunilreilth anniversary of the incorpo- 
ralion of the town (jf Fitchburg. The exeiciscs of the day were held June 30, 
18G4, in a large tent which was pitched u()on a lot of land on Circle Street, 
belonging to Walter Ilcy wood, Esq. The exercises of the day were interesting 
and appropriate. The oration was delivered by the Hon. C. H. B. Snow, 
since deceased. The Scriptnres were read by Rev. Ebenezer Bullard, a 
former i)astor in the town, from a Bible which formerly belonged to Col. 
Zachary Fitch, and was printed in London, in 1739. There was a large 
procession representing the different kinds of business, and a dinner was 
jjiven in the town hall to about five hundred guests. 



CHAPTER V. 

MANUFACTURING INTERESTS THE BURLEIGH DRILL THE GAS COMPANY 

STATISTICS — BANKS — SAVINGS INSTITUTIONS — INSURANCE COMPANIES — 
MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS. 

The Nashua River, which was once thought to be the curse of Fitcliburg, 
proved to be a blessing. In the little stream which wound its way through 
the wooded valley was wealth, not in nuggets of gold or precious diamonds, 
but wealth latent in the power that would drive the machinery which would 
eventually build up in that desolate place a thriving and populous town and 
city. Through its means, the low, sunken valley, which was shunned and 
reviled, was to l)ecome the populous centre of busy life. 

Ani(;s and Ephrnim Kimball have the honoi of being the manufacturing 
pioneers of Fitchburg. Seeing the advantages of the water-power supplied 
liy the river, they l)iiilt, in IT.'jO, a dam across the stream, just above the mill 
of Joseph Cushing on Laurel Street, and very near the location of the present 
dam. Here they erected a saw and grist mill. The dam not being a very 
substantial one, and being carried away every spring by the freshets, was 
replaced in a few years by a better one, built of logs and V shaped. As early 
as 1793 a fulling-mill, a clothiers' works, a carding machine, and works for 
grinding scythes had been built on this water privilege. By this time both 
Amos and Ephraim Kimball were dead, but the son of Ephraim, also named 
Ephraim, who seems to have had something of the spirit of his father, built in 
1794, in conjunction with Jonas Marshall, the second dam across the river, 
near the site of II. W. Pitts' cotton-mill on West Street. Here they built a 
saw-mill. 

The uianufacturc of cotton <;oods was earlv commenced in Fitchburff. In 



MILLS AND FACTORIES. 483 



1807, Ephraim Kimball, grandson of tlio first Ephraim, built a third dam, 
substantially whci'o that of the Fitchbiiig ^\'"ooIell JNIill Company now is, and 
a cotton-mill was erected, which is now u part of the mill of the same company. 
It was built and operated by a company of about thirty individuals, including 
the workmen, who were obliged to take shares. This was one of the lirst 
cotton factoiies in the State. The company, or rather corporation, failed in 
18 IG, and the property was purchased l)y Messrs. Putnam & Perkins, ^vlu) sold 
it to Messrs. Towuo & Willis in 1822, who put in woolen-machinery. 

The first attempt at cotton manufacturing was uot a financial success, but 
Capt. Martin Newton made a second venture in 1810. On election day of 
that j'car he put in operation two spinning-frames, in a little building near 
Joseph Cushing's mill. He succeeded in making of it a profitable business, and, 
in 1812, in connection with Solomon Strong and Jonathan Flint, he built what 
was afterwards called Newton's Factory, in Newton Lane, where the business 
was continued. The building is now owned by the Putnam Machine Com- 
pany, 

In 1813, John and Joseph Furwell, and Nchemiah Giles purchased the water 
privilege made by the dam built by Messrs. Kimball & Marshall, on West 
Street, and built there what was called the "Red " or "RoUstone" mill, for the 
manufacture of cotton goods. It was bought by Messrs. Putnam & Perkins 
about 1816, and it was afterwards owned by Gen. Ivers Jewctt, and was 
purchased by Messrs. Towne & Willis in 1833. The mill was managed after 
1834 l>y Levi Sherwin, who in 1843 bought one-fourth interest in it, and in 
1857 the other three-fourths. In 1874 he sold it to II. W. Pitts, who l)uilt 
in 187G a line brick mill to take its place. 

A cotton-mill was built on Phillips Bi'ook, in West Fitchbnrg, in 1815 or 
1816, by Isaiah Putnam, Joseph Howard, Philip F. Cowdin, and Samuel 
Phillips. As early as 1828 this mill was run by Perkins & Baldwin. It was 
swept away by the flood of 1850, caused by the breaking away of the Ash- 
burnham reservoir in the spring of that year. 

The stone mill, now occu[)icd by Josci)h Gushing, was built for a cott(Mi-mill 
liy Oliver Fox, in 1826. No derrick was used in the work, but oxen were 
driven with their loads up an inclined plane to the top of the buildiug. It was 
leased as a cotton-mill by Percy Atherton, and afterwards by Ivers Phillips, 
and still later by N. F. Ackley. It was purchased by Mr. Gushing, in 1868, 
and used as a flour and grain mill. 

The duck-mill in South Fitcbburg, now run by Oliver Ellis as agent, and 
owned by George Blackburn <fe Co., was built about 1848. Not far from this 
is another good brick mill owned by the same parties but uot running. 

The woolen business was also commenced at an early date in Fitchbnrg in 
a small way. In 1703, Ephraim Kimball had a custom card and a fulling and 
dressing mill near his saw and grist mill in the Old City, and in 1798 there were 
clothing-works there, where cloth was dyed, fulled and sheared. 



484 CITY OF FITCFIBURG. 

As l)cf(ire stated, Messrs. Towno & AVillis bought the first cotton-mill and 
turned it into a woolen-mill. An addition was made to it in 1834, and others 
have since been made. Various changes have taken place in its ownership and 
management. Since 18G7 the business has been done under the name of the 
Fitchburg Woolen Jlill Companj'. "William II. Vose has been sole manager 
and agent of this mill for upwards of thirty years. 

A woolen-mill, which- stood near the paper-mill of George W. Wheelwright & 
Sons, was Ijiiill in 1823, and was pulled down some 3'cars ago. A woolen-mill was 
built by Ilollis Hartshorn in South Fitchburg, in 1832, and was burned in 183G. 

In 1815 there was a little cotton-mill, owned by Col. Ivcrs Phillips, on the 
Sanborn Koad, where is now the woolen-mill occui)icd by T. E. Hopkins. It 
was soon changed to a llanncl-niill, and was swept away by the flood of 1850, 
and rebuilt, and l)urncd in 1852. jNIr. Phillips again erected a mill here for the 
manufacture of hosiery, &c. The mill has been leased and run as a woolen- 
mill l)y various ]iarties since 18G1. The mill below this, at one time occupied 
b}' Whitman & Miles, was lilted up with woolen machinery in 18G3. It is 
now owned by Col. Ivers Phillips and Edwin '\^''orks. It is operated by James 
Phillips, Jr., in connection with his other mill. 

The mill near the corner of the West Fitchburg Eoad and the Sanborn Road 
was built in 18G4 by Alvah Crocker, C. T. Crocker, George F. Fay and 
others, for the mnnufacturc of woolens. ]Messrs. Rockwell & Phillips pur- 
chased it in 1872, and commenced a very flourishing business in the manufoc- 
turc of worsted good^. Their business continued to increase, so that in 1875 
they hired the mill on the upper part of West Street, which mill had previously 
conmienced running in 18G5, under the name of the Booth Worsted Compan}*. 
They put in machinery here, and ran it until they enlarged their own mill. In 
1875 iNIr. Rockwell retired from the lirm, and the business has since been 
conducted by James Phillips, Jr. He is now running the original mill, which 
is much enlarged, in addition to the mill above it. He employs two hundred 
and lifty hands, and is producing $800,000 worth of worsted and woolen goods 
annually, which is about the amount that all the woolen-mills in the cit}' were 
prcxlucing in 187G. 

The iron business of Fitchburg is large and important, and Fitchburg 
machinery is known and appreciated throughout the United States, and even 
in foreign countries, and to no other enterprise is the prosperity of Fitchburg 
more attributable. The pioneers in the business in this town were the Putnam 
brothers, Salmon W. and John, who came to Fitchburg in 1838, and com- 
menced a small business, mainly in repairing. Their business and reputation 
rapidlv increased until 1858, when, from this beginning, Salmon W. Putnam 
organized and incorporated the Putnam Machine Company', now so widely and 
favorably known, and of which he was chosen president and general business 
manager; continuing in the position until his death, which occurred on the 
twcutv-third day of Februarv', 1872. 




PUTNAM MACHINE COMPANY S WORKS, FITCHBVRti, MASS. 




•WOOLEN MANUPACTOKY OP JAMES PHILLIPS JR., FITCHBURO, MASS. 



PUTNAM MACHINE WORKS. 485 



The Putnam Machine Company oouinicnecd business with a capital stock of 
$40,000, which was afterwards increased in 18Glj to $100,000, witli a surplus 
to $320,000. Tliey continued business on Water Street, in the old quarters 
of the Putnam Brotliers, until 186G, when, their l)usincss liaviucr outgrown the 
capacity of thiir shops, they were forced to enhirgo their facililies of manu- 
facture. Deciding to change their h)cation, tliey purchased various parcels of 
land, including the Atherton estate in Newton Lane, amounting in all to some 
over twenty-six acres. They "broke ground" in July, ISGG, for their i)rcscnt 
extensive works, which in that year w-crc erected at a cost of over $200,000. 

The main machine-shop, in which the working tools sire located, is a building 
of brick, one story high, running north and south, G25 feet long and 48 feet 
wide, supported in the centre by thirty-live iron columns, upon which the 
main line of shafting for driving the entire machinery is fastened. The 
building is devoted to seven different departments of work, but is without 
partition or obstruction to the sight from end to end. It is lighted by two 
hundred and eighty-four large windows, five hundred gas-burners, and heated 
by over six miles of steam-pipe, and has a floor room of 37,000 square feet. 
From its west side extend seven wings, six of them being 52 by 3G feet, and 
one 52 by 44 feet; each of these being devoted to the setting up and delivery 
of machinery made in the corresponding department, and are all furnished with 
powerful cranes for handling the heavier articles, while between these wings are 
spaces for the temporary accommodation of castings used in each department. 

Extending from the east side of the main building are five small wings, 
twelve feet square, suitably titted up as offices for the superintendents of the 
various departments. The large wings are furnished with folding doors, 
opening to a roadway which extends the whole length of the shops to the main 
line of the Fitchburg llailroad and Iloosac Tunnel Line, which passes by the 
southern end of the company's works, so that a machine, when complete, can 
readily be transferred to the cars and freighted without delay to its destination. 
At the extreme south end, and connected with the main machine-shop, is 
located the blacksmith-shop, with its forges and heavy hammers. The engine 
used in driving this machinery is sixty-iivc horse-power, one of their own 
manufacture, and is located in a l)uilding adjoining the blacksmith-shop. 
Engines, being a specialty of this company, have gained for the concern a 
very wide and enviable reputation, as their work is to be found distributed 
throughout, the whole country. 

Parallel with the main machine-shop, and divided from it liy the roadway on 
the west side, are located the iron and brass foundries, pattern and box shops, 
store-house and other buildings for various purposes, all arranged systemati- 
cally for the saving of labor and convenience of supervision. 

The general |)lan of the buildings, and the most minute details of the arrange- 
ment of machinery, were devised throughout by their late president, Salmon 
W. Putnam, and they combine facility, etfectiveness and economy of operation. 



486 CITY OF FITCHBURG. 

The class of machines manufactured by this company are such as are known 
and termed machine-shop and special railroad tools, which are of great number 
and variety; and to their credit might be mentioned, as a fact, that the first 
two fully equipped machine-shops in China were furnished tliroughout by them 
■with steam-engines, shafting and hangers, lathes, i)l!iners, drills and other tools 
complete. It was also the mission of tiiis company to manufacture the compres- 
sors, rock-drills and other tools used in the completion of the Iloosnc Tunnel. 

The late president has four sons surviving, who arc actively engaged 
in the business of the company. Charles F. Putnam is the i)resident and 
financier, who was elected on the death of his father to succeed him in the 
general management of the company. Salmon W. Putnam, is the super- 
intendent-designer of the company, having in charge the pre-arrangement and 
mechanical construction of the different machine and special railroad tools 
■which, during the past ten years, have been constructed after his designs and 
drawings, and on which he has received numerous letters-patent from the 
United States for new adjustments and designs. Henry O. Putnam is super- 
intendent of that department of manufacture devoted to the building of special 
tools, such as car-wheel l)orers, slotting and paring machines, bolt cutters, nut- 
tapping machines, car-axle lathes, compressors, rock-drills, &c. George E. 
Putnam, the youngest son, is actively engaged in the office aflairs of the com- 
pany, in connection with his brother, the president. 

The history of this company since its incorporation and increase of its capital 
stock has been one of continued prosperity and success, and since the panic of 
September, 1873, it has continued to run its entire works, and maintain a large 
proportion of its machinery in motion, with nearly its full complement of men. 

The Simonds Manufacturing Company, whoso works are situated on Main 
Street, some distance below the American House, did business under the name 
of Simonds Brothers from 18G4 to 1<S()8, at which time they were incorporated 
under the name of the Simonds Manufacturing Company. They originally 
manufactured mowing-machine knives and machine-knives, but have now given 
up mowing-machine knives, and manufacture saws and machine-knives. 

The Fitchburg Machine Comi)any was incorporated in 18()7, and have since 
carried on their business of machine-making in a large and convenient shop on 
Summer Street, built by Sylvanns Sawyer. C. II. Brown & Co., who 
make very fine steam-engines, formerly occupied part of the same building, 
but in 1877 they built a large and convenient shop nearly opposite. 

The Fitchburg Steiuu-Enginc Company, on Water Street, have made a 
specialty of the manufacture of steam-engines, and are also building a patent 
power-loom. The business carried on by this company was organized in l<-!7(), 
and has a firm foothold in this and foreign countries. 

The RoUstone Machine Company, just below, was organized in 1877. They 
make a specialty of woodworking machinery, including lathes, band saws and 
saw benches. 



THE BURLEIGH DRILL. 487 



In 1815 Page & White were mamifacturiiig eilge-tuols in Rockville, in a 
huilding now used as a woulon-mill. Tlicy wore sneccedccl by AViiitnmu & 
Miles, who did business there from 1850 till 18G4, when they were incorporated 
under the name of the Whitman & Miles Manufacturing Company, and moved 
into new and commodious buildings farther up on the main road, -where they 
carried on a hirgc and successful bi;t.incss, manufacturing principally mowing- 
machine knives. In 187(5 they moved to Akron, Ohio, where they had already 
a branch establishment. 

The early process of tunneling rock was entirely by hand. Besides being a 
slow process, it was attended with much inconvenience and danger, on account 
of the want of ventilation in a tunnel of any considerable length. In 18GG 
Charles Burleigh of Fitchburg invented the Biirlcigli rock-drill, an instrument 
which has entirely revolutionized the business of tunneling rock, and made 
possible works of that nature which without it would never be attempted. 

The machine consists mainly of a drill attached to a piston, which is a solid 
bar of steel, and is operated by compressed air. This com[)ressed air serves 
the double purpose of driving the drill and ventilating the tunnel, which last it 
does to perfection. Soon after this invention Mr. Burleigh's drills were put to 
■work in the Iloosac Tunnel, and from that time the work proceeded steadily 
and rapidly to completion. These drills were used in removing the obstruc- 
tions at Ilell Gate, are used in the Sutro Tunnel, Nevada, and have been quite 
extensively used i:i Europe. A company called the Burleigh Rock-Drill 
Company was organized in 18G7, with a cajjital of $150,000, to manufactuie 
and sell these machines, and also the Burleigh Pateiit Air-Compressor. With 
these drills, holes may be made from three-quarters of an inch to five inches in 
diameter, to a depth not exceeding thirty feet, at a rate of from two to ten 
inches per minute, according to the nature of the rock. 

About the year 1800, John & Joseph Farwell commenced the manufacture 
of scythes near the corner of West and River streets, and this business was 
continued there for about twenty years. About 1830, Alpheus Kimball & J. 
T. Farwell started a scythe manufactory iu West Fitchburg, near the site o^ 
Rodney Wallace's lower paper-mill. After a few years Mr. Farwell left the 
firm, and, in connection with Abel Simonds started a scythe manufactory 
above, near the junction of the Phillips Brook with the Nashua. Abel 
Simonds afterwards carried on these works alone. 

About 1848 A. P. Kimball and Johu Chandler commenced the manufacture 
of scythes in South Fitchburg. 

Edwin Richardson commenced the scythe business at the same place in 1852, 
and continued the manufacture until within a couple of years. 

Paper-making is one of the most valuable of the manufacturing interests of 
Fitchburg. The fir^t paper-mill was built in 1801 by Thomas French, on the 
site of the Rollstonc Machine Company's works, on Water Street. The dam 
then built was the third on the river. This was called the Burbai:k Paper-Mill, 



488 CITY OF FITCIIBURG. 

iiiul was owned by Gen. Leonard liurbank. It was afterwards owned by 
Crocker & Gardner, and later l)y Alvah Crocker. The second paper-mill was 
built by A. Crocker & Co., in West Fitchburg, on the present site of 
Rodney Wallace's upper mill. Commencing with this mill, Alvah Crocker 
continued to increase his business, buj-ing more mills and making more paper. 
In 1850 the firm of Crocker, Burbank & Co. was formed. This iirm owns 
seven paper-mills, but two of them have been consolidated, and one is not 
running, so that they are now really running five largo paper-mills, and pro- 
ducing about fifteen tons of paper per day. 

The Snow Will, or Upper Mill, was built in 1839 by S. S. Crocker. 
Benjamin Snow, Jr., bought it in 1847, and Benjamin Snow, Jr., and Samuel 
Whitney sold it, in 18G2, to Crocker, Buil)auk & Co. The Cascade 
Mill was built about 18i7. It was owned in that year by .S. A. Wheeler, 
Gef)rge Brown and Joel Davis. It was afterwards bought i>\' Fi;uiklin 
Wyman, E. B. Tileston and Jonathan Ware, M'ho sold it to Crocker, Burl)ank 
& Co. in 18(53. The Upton Mill, on the road to William Woodbury's, 
was built in 1851 by Edwin Upton and Alvah Crocker, and came into the 
jiossession of Crocker, Burbank & Co. in 1859. The Lyon Mill was 
built in 1853 by Moses G. & B. F. Lyon, and bought of Moses G. Lyon by 
Crocker, Burbank & Co. in 18G9. The Ilanna Mill was built by George and 
Joseph Brown about 1852. It was afterwards owned by Samuel Ilanna, who 
bought it in 1853, aud sold it in 18(iO to Crocker, Burbank & Co. The 
Whitney Mill, in Rockville, was built by Whitney & Bogart in 1847. It was 
afterwards owned by Crocker, Burbank & Co., then by Samuel Whitney, 
and later by William Baldwin, Jr., who sold it in 18G8 to Crocker, Burbank 
& Co. The Stone Mill, below the Snow and Cascade mills, was built 
in 1854. One half of it was owned for some time by S. A. Wheeler and Joel 
Ames, and the other half by Alvah Crocker. Crocker, Burbank & Co. 
came into possession of one half in 18(')4, and A. Crocker sold the remaining 
half to Crocker, Burbank & Co. in 1871. 

The ]iresent members of this firm are Charles T. Crocker, S. E. Crocker, 
George F. Fay and George II. Crocker. 

In 1805, Rodney Wallace, in company with Stephen Sheplcy, Benjiniin 
Snow, Jr., and S. E. Denton, bought the Lyon Papcr-Mill and the Kimball 
Scythe-Shops at West Fitchburg, and began the manufacture of paper under 
tho name of the Fitchburg Paper Company, Mr. Denton takuig charge of the 
business at tho mill. In 18()8 ^Ir. Denton died, and Mr. Snow's health 
failing, Mr. Wallace purchased the interests of both gentlemen, and on the 
dissolution of his jiartnerfihip with Mr. Sheplcy l)ecame sole owner of the 
concern. He made improvements in the mill whereby he increased tho 
capacity of production from 2,500 to (J, 000 pounds of pa|)er per day. In 1876 
he made further iniproven)euts by the erection of a sul)stantial stone dam. In 
1878 he built a new mill just below the old one, which is a fine structure of 




OFFICE OF CKOCKER, ]«RHAN-K A CO, TAFKR MAXUFA 



CTURERS, FITCHBURG, MASS. 







CKOCKKl!, IIIRHANK ,t COMPiNv's "^Tr.vi- „,., •• 

luJliAAi » STONh J11I,I,, FITCHUIRG, MASS 



THE CHAIR BUSINESS. 489 

the kind, being furnished with all the modern machinery iind convcuicnces for 
making paper. He is now producing about six tons of paper per day. 

Tlie paper-mill of George W. Wheelwright & Sons was built in 18()-l, and 
the niaiinfactnre of paper was commcuced the same year. They arc producing 
about three tons of paper per day. 

Northern j\Iassachusetts is the home of the chair business, and Fitchburg 
now contains a representative establishment of the kind, it being one of the 
largest and best arranged in the world. The chair business in Fitchburg was 
started by Levi Pratt, about 1816, in a little shop on the Pratt Road. Here, 
and in a larger shop which he built in 1833, he made chaii-s fur upwards of 
thirty years. John D. Pratt moved to Fitchburg from Lunenburg and com- 
menced making chairs at an early period. His shop was on Academy Street, 
near the residence of Charles Fessenden. 

In 1845 Alonzo Davis commenced the manufacture of chairs in Newton Lane 
in connection with Augustus Rice. The building used by them stood where 
the building lately occupied by the American Rattan Company stands. It was 
afterwards burned. jNIr. Davis soon moved into the Newton Factory, adjoin- 
ing, and was in company there for a time with Hiram Wood, who was 
succeeded by John D. Pratt. Messrs. Davis & Pratt built a brick fiictory on 
Circle Street in 1855, and Mr. Davis afterwards assumed the entire business. 
This factory has not been ruiming for a few years. 

Walter Heywood, founder of the Walter Heywood Chair Company, and one 
of the pioneers in the chair business of the country, was born in Gardner in 
1804, where he was early engaged in the manufacture of chairs. He I'cinoved 
to Fitchburg in 1841, where, in company with L. P. Comee, he kept a 
miscclianeons store, embracing dry-goods, groceries, &c. Ho soon, however, 
went into the chair business. 

In the fall of 1844 he hired a small building near the cotton-factory on West 
Street, and comn\enced to make chairs. These premises soon proved too small 
for his purpose, and when Alvah Crocker erected a building on the spot now 
occupied by the Fitchburg Steam-Engine Company, on Water Street, the chair 
business of Heywood & Comee was removed to its upper story. This l)uildiug 
was burned Dec. 7, 1849, and the firm of Heywood & Comee then dissolved. 

Walter Heywood now devoted all his energies and capital to the manufac- 
ture of chairs. Immediately after the fire he secured a temporary shop in 
Newton Lane, and, on the completion of Mr. Crocker's new building, which 
he erected the next year, Mr. Heyw( od hired the whole of it. In 1852, Alton 
Blodgett, Lovell Williams and George E. Towne were taken into partnership, 
and in 18G4, Mr. George H. Spencer, who is now superintendent and business 
manager of the company, was admitted into the firm. • The firm was incorpo- 
rated in 1809, under the name of the Walter Heywood Chair Company, with a 
capital of $240,000. The buildings on Water Street, occupied by the company, 
were burned in July, 1870, and a lot on River Street, having an area of nine 



490 CITY OF FITCIIBURG. 



acres, was purchased for the erection of new l)uildiii2s. The present factory 
consists of three main buildings, two of which are three hundred feet hy fifty, 
and one three hundred feet by forty, each factory being two stories hijjh with an 
attic. There is also a building for office and store-rooms, a boiler-house and 
sheds. A railroad (rack belonging to the company, a (juartcr of a mile long, 
connects (he premises with (ho main track of the Fitchburg Railroad. Every- 
thing is arranged for convenience and economy in doing business. The com- 
pany has a large foreign trade and a large trade with California. 

The grain business was inaugurated in Fitchburg by Amos and Ephraim 
Kimball, in 1750, and in a few years they ground the grain to supply thirty or 
fort}' families. Their mill h;is alread}' been mentioned, and was in existence 
until after the Revolution. From about 1800 to 1822, there was a grist-mill 
near the corner of West and River streets, Avhich was run in connection with 
the scythe-works there. In 1835, Sheldon & Pillsbnry were manufacturing 
flour and grain at the upper end of West Street, on the site of what is known 
as the " Booth Worsted-mill," and they were doing a very considerable business. 
The mill was furnished with two runs of stones, a corn-cracker, and a flour- 
bolter. A large quantity of grain was brought to this mill from a distance. 

About 183G, a mill was erected on the road to AVest Fitchburg, a short dis- 
tance i)elow (he stone bridge of the Fitchburg Railroad, by Capt. Levi Pialt, 
who manufactured powder-kegs there for a time. Franklin Mclutire and Ira 
Carleton afterwards carried on the grain bu;<iness here, ilr. Carleton commenc- 
ing about 1855. The Fitchburg Flour Company were the latest occupants. 
At present it is not running. 

Joseph Cushing is doing a large business in flour, grain and feed. In 1808, 
he took (he stone mill on Laurel Street, formerly occupied as a cotton factory, 
and converted it into a flour and grain mill. It is tilted up very convcnienlly 
for the business, and he has a turn-out connected with the main line of the 
Fitchburg Railroad, over which he runs a largo number of cars. Mr. Cushing 
has five run of mill-s(ones, with a grinding capacity of two thousand bushels 
per day. Recently, machinery for making kiln-dried meal and for drying corn 
has been added to the mill, and he is now making kiln-dried meal for export. 
The storage capacity in his mill is fifty thousand bushels, and he handles from 
one hundred to one hundred and fifty cars of grain per month. lie also has a 
saw-mill and lumber-yard on the opposite side of the river, and owns a consider- 
able area of land in connection with his grain-mill, which he leases as a coal-yard. 

The American Rattan Company' was incorporated in 1852, for the manufac- 
ture of chair-cane from rattan. Previous to the organizatioa of this com|)any, 
chair-cane had been split from (he rattan by hand. The machines invented by 
Sylvanus Sawyer and his brother Addison, made this a business of great 
im[)ortance, and for a long series of j'cars this was one of the most profitable 
manufacturing estal)lishmcnts in the United States. The company did iis 
manufacturing in Xewtou Lane. In 1875, it was consolidated with the Wake- 



OTHER MANUFACTURES. 491 

field Rattan Company of Boston, and in April, 1878, the business was taUen 
from Eitcli!)urg and united witii tlie Boston establisiimcut. Moses AVood was 
president of tlio company from its incori)oration till his deatli, in 18()i),and was 
treasurer of the same for all hut the first three years. jNIr. Wood was an hon- 
est, iiblc and i)rudent business man, and the success of the American Rattan 
Compau}', and the Rollstonc National Bank, of which he was also president, 
was largely owing to his management. 

The only establishment in Fitchburg for the mannfactun! of shoes is that of 
E. M. Dickenson & Co. Mr. Dickenson commenced manufacturing shoes in 
Marlborough, Mass., in 1842. In 1854, he removed to Fitchburg and con- 
tinued the same business on the corner of Main and Laurel streets. Soon after 
he built a shop ou Oliver Street, where he remained for six years. During 
this time l)ut little machinery was used, most of the work being done by hand. 
About 18G0, he moved into S. F. Atherton's building in Newton Lane, and 
commenced the use of machinery. Here ho remained for about ten years, 
making ladies', misses' and children's pegged ^hoes, and then moved into the 
building owned by the Simonds Manufacturing Company, on Main Street, 
below the depot, where he has continued to manufacture for nine years. The 
present firm, composed of E. M. Dickenson and E. F. Belding, was established 
Dec. 1, 1876, since which time they have manufactured machine-sewed work, 
making children's shoes a specialty. They employ from one himdred to one 
bundled and twenty-five hands, and turn out one thousand pairs of shoes daily 
during the busy seasons. The amount paid out for labor is about $30,000 per 
annum. Most of their shoes arc sold in the West, although they have a large 
New England trade. 

The Fitchburg Gas Company was organized in 1852, and went into operation 
the next 3'ear. 

Want of space compels us to omit the history and even the mention of all 
of the manufacturing establishments and business firms of the city. There arc 
many others which have helped to build up Fitchijurg and add to its wealth 
and prosperity. 

According to the State census of 1875, there were one hundred and four 
manufiicturing establishments in Fitchburg, employing a capital of $3,420,000, 
resulting in a yearly product of $5,12(5,920. Of occupations kindred to man- 
ufacturing there were one hundred and nineteen, employing a capital of $144,- 
630 ; and a yearly product of $700,471. 

Fifteen establishments were employed in the manufacture of machinery of 
various kinds, ma«hine-knives, &c., with a capital of $1,236, GOO, and a yearly 
product of $978,437. Four others were engaged in the manufacture of paper 
and paper pulp, with an aggregate capital of $502,000, and an annual product 
of $1,036,650. In the manufacture of woolen goods four more were occupied, 
with a capital of $230,000, and an annual product of $618,626. The annual 
product of chair-cane and reeds amounted to $340,000. 



402 CITY OF FITCHBURG. 

The Fitchbuig Bunk was chartered Feb. 28, 1832, ami the first meeting of 
the stockholders was hold April 2d of that year, at which time the first board 
of directors was chosen, of whom the following were residents of Filchburg: 
Francis Perkins, Ivcrs Jewett, Benjamin Snow, Abial J. Townc, Charles W. 
AVilder, Nathaniel AVood and David Boutelle. Francis Perkins was chosen 
president and Ebcnezer Torrcy cashier. IMr. Perkins held the office of presi- 
dent nntil his death, in 18')0. Ephraim Murdock of Winchendon was then 
chosen in his place, but declined a re-election at the next annual meeting, which 
occurred in a few mouths. Elicnezer Torrey, who, until this time, had been 
cashier, was then elected president, which office he has held until the present 
time. Charles J. Billings was chosen cashier, aud has since retained that office. 
The capital stock of the bank was originally $100,000, but it was afterwards 
increased to $250,000. It was re-organized into a national bank in 18(55. 
The first banking-house was a small granite building, which was succeeded, in 
1853, by a new brick liuilding, built on the same spot, which is now occupied 
by Crocker, Burbank & Co., as an office. In 1871, the bank moved into its 
present quarters, a little distance l)elow, on I\Iain Street. 

The Fitchburg Savings Bank was incorporated Feb. 12, 181G, and com- 
menced operations the first of June. Francis Perkins was the first president, 
and Ebcnezer Torrey the first treasurer. On the death of jNIr. Perkins, 
Nathaniel Wood was chosen president. This bank erected a fine l)uildiug on 
Main Street in 1871, in which they now have their rooms. The amount of 
deposits June 1, 1870, was $1,839,488, made by 5,111 depositors. 

The Rollstonc Bank was incorporated, May 1, 1849, with a capital of 
$100,000, and commenced business May 24. Moses Wood was the first 
president, and Lewis 11. Bradford the first cashier. The first board of 
directors consisted of the following persons :— Moses Wood, Alvah Crocker, 
Kilburn Ilarwood, C. Marshall, J. W. Mansur, Benjamin Snow, Jr.. Daniel 
Putnam, A. F. Lawrence, M. S. Morse, William Bennett, Jr., Leonard 
Burragc and Lyman Nichols. The capital was increased in a few years to 
$250,000, and has since remained the same. Moses Wood remained president 
until his death in 18G0, and Alvah Crocker succeeded him. Mr. Crocker was 
succeeded by Henry A. Willis as president, which office he now holds. L. H. 
Bradford served as cashier until 185G, when he was succeeded by William B. 
Wood, who resigned in 1858. Henry A. Willis was then chosen cashier, and 
upon his appointment to the ofiice of president, John M. Graham, the present 
cashier, was chosen. The first banking-house of the KoUstone Bank was a 
small granite building, which stood where the Rollstonc Bank Building now 
stands. This latter building was erected in 18(50. It was organized as a 
national l)ank in 18G4. 

The Worcester North Savings Institution was incorporated May 2G, 1878, 
and went into operation in June. The amount of deposits June 1, 1870, was 
$1,397,859, made by 3,531 depositors. 




CROCKEK, HrUJlANK & CO.MPANV's " SNOW MILL," FITCHBURG, MASS. 




CKOCKKK, ilLliJlANK ,t COMPANY'S " HANNA MILL," IITCHBLHG, MA 



BANKS AND INSURANCE. 493 

The Safety Fuiul National Bank was incorporatecl April 17, 1874. Henry 
Allison was chosen president, and F. F. Woodward, cashier. This bank has 
a capital of $200,000, and does business in Crocker Block, on Main Street. 

Tlie Wachnsctt National Bank was incorporated May 20, 1875, and com- 
menced ])iisiness the 1st of June, with A. W. Scavcr as president, II. A. Blood, 
vice-president, and II. L. Jewett, cashier. O. II. Lawrence is now president, 
William O. I>rown, vice-president, and George E. Cliflbrd, cashier. The bank 
commenced l)usiness M'ith a capital of $.500,000, but it has since been reduced 
to $2.")0,000. A banking-house was built on the corner of Main and Day 
streets in 1875. Until this building was finished their business was done in 
Belding & Dickenson's Block. 

The Fitchburg Mutual Fire Insurance Company was organized June 29, 
1847. Nathaniel Wood, the first president, served iu that capacity for over 
twenty-six years, and as treasurer for twenty-four j'ears. The first secretary 
was Ivers Phillips, who was succeeded by Abel Thurston in 1850. Mr. 
Thurston held the office of socretarj^ for upwards of fourteen years. He was 
succeeded, on his death in 18G4, by Charles Mason, and he by L. H. Bradford, 
who is now pi-esident, succeeding to that office on the resignation of Nathaniel 
Wood. E. P. Downe is the present secretary. 

The Fitchburg Co-operative Savings Fund and Loan Association was incor- 
porated in November, 1877. Jabez Fisher is president, J. F. Simonds, secre- 
tary, and George E. Clifford, treasurer. Monthly payments are made by 
shareholders, and money is loaned on real estate. 

We do not know when the first company of militia was organized in Fitch- 
burg, but it was probably soon after the Revolution. The oldest inhabitants 
remember the two military organizations, which were known by the names of the 
north and south companies. They had theirannual parades and sham-fights. Each 
mau furnished his own %veapon, and most diverse were the fashions of their arms. 

The auuual musters of fifty years ago were " red letter" days in the year for 
men, women and children. On the night before muster the companies used 
to come marching iu from Lunenburg, Leominster, Ashburnham and West- 
minster with their music and camp equiiiments, pitch their tents on the muster- 
field, and camp for the night. The next day there was a gathering of the 
people, from near and from far, to witness the evolutions of the military. 
There were two companies from each of the five towns, making ten companies ; 
and a company of cavalry made up from all the towns. There was a corapauy 
of artillery from Leominster; and two companies of riflemen, one from Ash- 
burnham, and one from Westminster. 

Besides the show of militarj' there were various other amusements for the 
benefit of pleasure seekers. Among other things booths were erected for 
dancing, and for that day the people gave themselves up to pleasui'e. Musters 
were held in different places, sometimes on the flat in the region of Hartwell, 
Fox and Oliver streets, and sometimes on the flat where the works of the 



4H4 CITY OF FITCHBURG. 

Ilo^'wood Chair Company aro now situated. The citizens turnetl out in a body 
iuul removed the stumps in the latter field, to make it suitable for the purpose. 
A Held nearly in the rear of the American House was also used for musters. 

The Fitchburg Fusileers, the oldest existing military organization in Fitch- 
burg, was chartered Dec. 14, 1816. John Upton was the first captain, and 
Alpheus Kimball the second. Very many of our oldest citizens have belonged 
to this company, which has always had a good reputation for military dis- 
cipline and appearance. Dr. Jonas A. ISIarshall was prominently connected 
with this company in its early days. 

The Washington Guards were organized in July, 1855. John B. Proctor 
was the first captain. Both the Fusileers and the Guards voluuteered and 
served creditably in the war of the Rebellion. 



CHAPTER VI. 

BIOGRAPHICAL MATTERS — THOMAS COWDIN — JOSEPH FOX OLIVER FOX — 

THADDEUS MCCARTr — JONAS MARSHALL — ASA THURSTOX — RUFOS C. TORREY 
ALVAII CROCKER — 8. Vi. PUTNAM — ALFRED HITCHCOCK — E. T. MILES. 

One of the best ways of studying history and of becoming thoroughly familiar 
with the life and spirit of any period, is to learn as much as possible of the 
personal history of the men Avho then lived and played their part upon the 
world's stage. Their habits of thought, their modes of expression, the diffi- 
culties with which they struggled, and their manner of meeting them, mirror 
the times, and are most interesting and instructive. 

Even if space would permit, wo have not the material which would enable 
us to give a complete biography of any of our ancestors of one hundred years 
ago, but we wish it were possible. We wish that we could annihilate the 
years that divide us from them, and see them with our own eyes; that wo 
coidd enter into conversation with them and learn of their hopes and their 
i'ears, their joys and their sorrows. Wo wish that we could visit Thomas 
Cowdin's tavern, and discuss with the group assembled round the open fire- 
place the latest news from the town of Boston, tho prospect of the crops, 
the settlement of tho minister, or the damage done to the roads and bridges 
by the last rain. All this is impossible, but we will endeavor lo outline the 
lives of a few of the representative men of those and later times, as space and 
material will allow us. There was no "milk and water" about our early 
ancestors. They came here to struggle with the forces of nature, when to do 
so was almost a struggle for life. Their natures, like their muscles, were 
toughened ; and yet they were kindly, genial men, who could bo touched by 
joy or sorrow as truly aud as sensibly as we. 



TIIOIMAS COWDIN. 495 



We will first sketch the history of the man, wlio, above all others, was 
prominent in Fitchhiirg for a long time after its incorporation. Thomas Cow- 
din came to Fitchbnrg in the summer of 17G4. lie was born in the town of 
Stow in 1720, anil as soon as he was of sufEcicnt ago was apprenticed at 
^Marlborough, to a blacksmith, where he served out his lime. Then he went to 
Worcester, and set up a forge on Main Street. While hero he belonged to a 
company of cavalry. Just previous to the breaking out of the old French 
war the Indians were exceedingly troublesome, and troops were sent to the 
frontier to quiet them. Cowdiu was pressed into the service, and sent to 
Charlestown, No. 4, now Charlestown, N. II. While stationed there he was 
selected to convey some despatches to Fort Dummcr. With two other soldiers 
he commenced his perilous journey through the woods, and it was not long 
before they came suddenly upon an Indian encampment. They were discovered 
at once, and nothing remained for them but flight, so they separated aud ran 
for their lives. Two of them V)aroly escaped and returned to Charlestown, but 
Cowdin bent his flight towards Keenc, then called Ashuelot, where he arrived 
safely. A company of soldiers was sent with him to Fort Dummer, where he 
delivered his despatches. While returning to Charlestown ho met squads of 
men, who had been sent in search of him, and other despatches had been sent 
to Fort Dummer upon the supposition that he had been captured, and very 
likely killed. He served at the siege of Louisburg, in 1745, as a sergeant, 
was engaged in battle and met the enemj', where he loved to meet them, in 
the thickest of the fight. 

In 1755 war broke out between England and France, and Cowdin enlisted as 
ensign, aud was engaged in the expedition to Nova Scotia. He served seven 
years and rose to the rank of captain. A portion of the time he was employed 
in returning convalescent soldiers to the army, and in arresting deserters. At 
one time he was set on the track of a deserter whom he found was making his 
way towards the State of New York. He followed him with characteristic 
celerity and promptness, and at length found him one Saljbath morning attend- 
ing divine service in a Dutch meeting-house in that State. Cowdiu did not 
hesitate, but entered aud seized the culprit at once, much to the surprise and 
consternation of the congregation. A severe struggle ensued, in which Cowdin 
barely escaped with his life ; but ho finally overpowered and secured his 
prisoner. He then took him to Boston, where he received orders to deliver 
him at Crown Point. So, alone through the woods, for that long distance, he 
journeyed with his prisoner, who well knew the fate which awaited him at his 
journey's end, threading each day the lonely forests, and lying down each night 
to sleep by the side of the doomed man. He delivered his prisoner safely at 
Crown Point, from whence he was taken to Montreal and shot. 

We do not know what induced Cowdin to make Fitchbnrg his permanent 
home, but a few years after the occurrence just related, he moved into town, 
having purchased the tavern and business of Capt. Samuel Hunt, who removed 



496 CITY OF FITCHBURG. 

to Worcester. In those Jays the tavern-keeper was, l)y virtue simply of his 
occupation, a man of importance, and the daring, fearless soldier who could 
tell to his guests long and interesting stories of his adventures in the army, 
became at once an influential man, and probahly a most po])ular host. IIo 
showed his wordly wisdom at once Ii}' oiTcring to the town ihc land for the new 
meeling-house ; and, while increasing in popularity and influence, he also 
prospered in business, for, in 1770, we find him the highest tax-payer in town. 
He held many town ofBces. He was town clerk for a long time, and that ofKce 
seems to have been generally held by the most prominent men. Und()ul)tedly 
he was a leader of the people till the breaking out of the Revolution, when he 
showed himself too loyal to King George to suit his fellow-townsmen, and for 
a time his name is absent from the town records. Cowdin was by nature a 
loyal man. He had served too long as a soldier under the English flag to throw 
ofl"his allegiance lightly. He showed the same characteristic during Shays' Rebel- 
lion, when he probably rendered himself obnoxious to the citizens by acting as a 
trial justice, to compel all suspected pcrsous to take the oath of allegiance. 

Cowdin's original farm comprised the Closes "Wood estate on Pearl Street, 
and extended down to I\Iain Street on both sides of Blossom Street. In about 
ten years after moving into town, he built a new house in the Old City on the spot 
where the American House stands, and there continued his occupation of land- 
lord while he lived ; and, after his death, his wife succeeded him in the business. 

Thomas Cowdin was a natural-born leader. lie loved to rule, and fur a long 
time he was probably the autocrat of Fitchburg whose word was law. He 
died in 1792, having had two wives and been blest with eleven children, — eight 
sons and three daughters. The following is the record of his death upon the 
book of the town clerk : — 

"Thomas Cowdin, Esquire, departed this life at Fitchburg, April 22, 1792, in the 
72d year of his age. Being the Lord's Day morning at ten o'clock." 

Some of our most respected citizens are among his descendants, aud in them 
we may still find traces of Cowdin blood. 

In 1772 Joseph Fox came to Fitchburg from Littleton, and commenced to 
make shoes in the Old City. But shocmaking was too small a field for his 
enterprising spirit, therefore he soon commenced making trips to Boston on 
horseback, bringing home goods of various kinds in his saddle-bags, and retail- 
ing them from his shoemaker's bench. Finding himself successful in this 
limited sphere, he took another step and opened a store on the corner of Main 
and Laurel streets, on land which is now owned by Bcldiiig <fe Dickenson. IIo 
continued to prosper, and before his death he had acquired a large property. 

Oliver Fox, second son of Joseph, was born Oct. 23, 1778. Ho was a good 
example of a Yankee, — restless, active, enterprising, always looking out for a 
chance to make monc}'. Ho Avas perhaps the wealthiest and most inlluciitinl 
man in Fitchburg in his time. Captain Fox, as he was called, was possessed of 




CKOCKEK, KVKB.tNK & COMPANY'S " UPTON MILL," FlTCHlll-UO, MASS. 




CROCKKlt, mUHANK & COMPANY'S " LYON i WHITNEY MILLS," IITCHMVRG, MASS. 



ASA THURSTOX. 497 



a large amount of real estate in Fitchburg. All tlic laud on the south side of 
Main Street was his, and between it and the river, from the stone bridge over 
the river at Laurel Street, as far west as the residence of Mrs. Alvah Crocker, 
except of some property in Newton Lane. On the other side of Jlain 
Street, he owned all of ]\It. Vernon Hill, and all the land included between 
Main and Pleai=ant streets, from the corner of Main and Prichard to Grove 
streets. He lived on the corner of Main and Prichard streets, and the land to 
the north and west constituted his farm ; the flat portion between Main and 
Prichard streets being his mowing. He also owned the land where the fair- 
ground of the Worcester North Agricultural Society now i'S, and laud in South 
Fitchburg, now belonging to Walter Heywood. 

Captain Fox was quite a public-spirited and liberal man. He built the stone 
mill now occupied by Joseph Cushing, which was quite an enterprise for those 
times, and was a public beuelit. His health failing him, ho went to Louisiana, 
and died at Alexaudria in thiit State, of consumption, in 1832. 

The first physician in Fitchburg was Dr. Thaddeiis McCarly, who came to 
town about 1772, and married a daughter of Tliomas Cowdiu. He was a man 
of good education, and quite skilful in his profession. At the time of the prev- 
alence of the small-pox in 177G, he labored steadily to prevent the spread of that 
terrible disease. In 1781 he left town and went to Worcester, and afterwards 
to Keenc, N. H. , where he died. He was succeeded by Dr. Peter Snow, the 
father of Dr. Peter S. Snow, and grandfather of the late C. H.B. Snow. 

Dr. Jonas Marshall, who lived in the easterly part of the town in 1785, was 
quite an active, influential man. His son Jonas, in his early days, carried on a 
tannery near the livery-stable of S. M. & E. B. Dole, and was a wealthy and 
influential man in the town ; and Jiis son. Dr. Jonas A. Marshall, who is still 
living, was for a long while a practising piiysiciau, and was associated with 
Dr. Olis Abercrombic, under the firm-name of Marshall & Abercrombie. 

Another son of the first Dr. Jonas Marshall was Dr. Benjamin Marshall, the 
father of Chcdar Marshall, the hitter of whom came into possession of the home- 
stead and considerable of the real estate formerly owned by Oliver Fo.k. 

Perhaps the most remarkable man Fitchburg ever produced was born ou 
one of the north-western hills of the town, on the Ashby West Road. His 
name was Asa Thurston. He was the son of Thomas and Lydia Thurston, 
He was born on the 12th of October, 1787, and grew up on his ItUher's farm 
until he was about fourteen years old, obtaining the usual amount of education 
at the district school. He was now apprenticed to Joseph Farwell, to learn the 
scythe business at Farwell's scythe-shop ou West Street. He was at this time 
a strong, robust young fellow, brimming over with superabundant vitality, 
which no hard day's labor could suppress. He was a wonderful wrestler and 
jumper: it was a frequent amusement of his to jump into and out of an open 
hogshead without touching the sides. Amusement he was fond of, loving 
dancing and music and gay companions 



498 CITY OF FITCIIBURG. 

In the year 1805 lio was attacked with typhoid fever, which was then preva- 
lent and ftital in Fitchlmrg. He barely recovered, but from that time there 
was a change in his character. From being, perh:ip-;, too fond of pleasure, 
and without a high aim in life, he became a most zenlons Christian, and resolved 
to devote iiis life to tiie ministry and to foreign missions. He lilted for college, 
and, in the year 1812, entered Yale College, and having completed his course 
there, ho finished his preparation for the ministry at Andover Theological 
Seminary. Having now finislied his education, he turned his attention at once 
to his life-work, and resolved to go as a missionary to the Sandwich Islands, 
the natives of which were then living in the deepest darkness and degradation. 
He commenced making preparations for his departure. His companion, 
selected like himself by the American Board, on recommendation of the 
Andover Missionary Society, was his class-mate, Hiram Bingham. It was 
considered advisable that both these young men should take wives with them. 
Mr. Bingham found his wife at the ordination, where he met a young lady 
who pleased him, proposed and was accepted. Mr. Thurston was already 
engaged, but the lady's parents strongly objected to her going from home to 
labor among savages, and she yielded to their wishes. But a wife must be 
procured, and a friend of iMr. Thurston's offered to assist him in his dilemma. 
He f )und a young lady of his acquaintance, who consented to see the 3'oung mis- 
sionary. They met one evening, and, at its close, were engaged. In two weeks 
they wore raariied, and she proved a most excellent wife. The lady to whom 
he had been previously engaged soon died disappointed and broken-hearted, and 
her mother followed her, broken down by grief at the death of her daughter. 

On the 23d of June, 1810, Asa Thurston set sail for the Sandwich Islands, 
and he never returned. He died at Honolulu, of paralysis, March 11, 18G8, 
being over eighty j'cars of age. He was ihc master-spirit of that little band of 
missionaries that performed such a wonderful work in those benighted islands. 
Naked, besotted, degraded as were the inhibitants when he arrived among 
them, he lived to see more than fifty thousand converts to Christianity, and a 
most wonderful progress in civilization. He compiled a dictionar}' and gram- 
mar of the Hawaiian language, which he also spoke fluently, and translated 
portions of the Bible. He had great influence over several of the Hawaiian 
kings, and the value of his life-work cannot be estimated. 

Bufus C. Torrey, the author of Torrey's History of Fitchl)urg, was born in 
Oxford, Mass., and came to this town about 1833. In a few years he went 
South, where he practiced law, was a judge for some time, and is at present a 
State Senator of Alabama. He is a brother of Hon. Ebcnezer Torrey, who has 
been identified with the town for a half-century, and whose term of service as 
town and city treasurer comprises thirty-two years. 

Nathaniel Wood was born in lloldcn Aug. 29, 1797. He graduated at Har- 
vard College in 1821, studied law and was admitted to the bai- in Boston, and 
came to Fitchburg and entered into Dartnership with Ebcnezer Torrey in 1827. 



ALVAII CROCKER. 409 



lie was iiii honest and able lawyer, and an active, enterprising citizen. lie 
filled many offices of trust, was sent to llie legislature several times, and diid 
honored and respected at the advanced age of seventy-nine years, Aug. 2, lS7t). 

Individual ambition and energy move the world. The power of one man in 
moulding events seems often to ho more than that of the aggregate of his 
fellow-citizens. Though we may sometimes exaggerate this power, and ascrii)o 
to such a man more than is his due, yet a strong individuality has often cliauged 
the history of towns, of States and of nations. 

Alvali Ciocker, from the year 1820 to the date of his death, was most closely 
identilicd with the history of Fitchhurg, and had fur a long time a great influ- 
ence in the conduct of its affairs. He was I)orn in Leominster on the 1-lth of 
October, 1801. His parents were poor, his father being a "vatman" in the 
paper-mills of Nichols & Kendall, and Alvah M'as put to work in the mills when 
he was eight years old. He was of an inquiring turn of mind, for we soon 
find him searching the library of his employer, Mr. Nichols, for general 
information ; a process, by the way, which has often been the seed of great 
things in after life for many a boy. 

Alvah had not only a desire for knowledge, but he had the will, the deter- 
mination and the persistency to obtain it in spite of difficulties. At the ago of 
sixteen he had saved lifty dollars, and with this sum ho entered Groton 
Academy, which he attended for a time, but was obliged to leave iu order that 
he might obtain more money. He would have been glad to have entered col- 
lege, but he was not encouraged by his father. Still he managed iu one way 
or another to obtain books, and continue his studies. 

In 1820 he went to work in a paper-mill in Fianklin, N. II., and in 1823 he 
removed to Fitchburg and entered into the employ of Gen. Leonard Burbank, 
the pioneer of the paper business of Fitchl)urg, who had erected a paper-mill 
where the works of the Rollstone Machine Company arc now situated. 

But Alvah Crocker could not be contented while working for others ; his 
ambitious spirit urged him on to strike out for himself. Therefore, in 1826, 
wc find him, with the help of borrowed capital, building a paper-mill of his own 
in West Fitchburg, in a birch swamp on the spot where the paper-mills of 
Rodney Wallace now stand. At that time a person must travel over the West- 
minster Hill Road as far as Daniel Eaton's, to reach it, there being no river road. 

About this time Mr. Crocker's parents moved into town. His mother was a 
sensible, energetic woman, i)ut his father was possessed of more of the spiritual, 
unselfish clement of Christianity than of worldly wisdom. He was a Baptist 
by profession, — a most consistent and devoted one, — and scarcely ever entered 
into couversatiini with any one without introducing the subject of religion. To 
illustrate his simple kind-heartedness, we have heard the following anecdote : 
He was coming down the Kimball Road one day in winter, towards the mill, 
with a pailful of milk, when one of a number of boys who happened to be 
coasting at the time ran into the old gentleman, and, instead of stopping, took 



500 CITY OF FITCIIBURG. 



liim along clown the hill with him. Of course the milk was spilletl all over 
himself and the boy. When they reached the foot of the hill, the old gentleman 
drew himself up, looked down with a pitying expression upon the lad, and said 
iu soothing accents : " -Vy dear lilth' fellow, did I hurt you 9" 

There were three elements of character possessed by Alvah Crocker which 
ensured his success in life, — hopefulness, prudence and pertinacity. He never 
despaired, but always worked on with unilagging zeal and energy till his end 
■was accomplished. From the time that he commenced business for himself up 
to 1830, his life was a continual struggle to meet his obligations. The times 
were hard and he was in debt; a freshet injured his mill, and the manner of 
making paper was changing from hand-labor to machiner}', necossitating an 
increased outlay to ensure successful competition. There were times when his 
affairs looked dark, but he persevered and weathered the storm. 

At first he sold his paper on commission, but finding it more for his own 
interest, he took the whole business into his own hands, teamed the paper which 
he made to Boston himself, and sold it direct to the consumers. At this time 
he owed $12,000 on his original investment. $1,000 to his commission agents, 
and it required $10,000 more to buy the machinery he needed. 

Mr. Crocker early identified his private interests with those of Fitchburir. 
Naturally public-spirited, he saw also that whatever would increase the wealth, 
the population, or the business facilities of his adopted town, would benefit each 
individual, and would pay well for time and money spent in promoting its 
accomplishment. In lX;i.5 Fitchburg had just reached its growing period. It 
had its newspaper, its mills, its academy, thi-eo churches, and its enterprising 
men. This was the time when the great advantages of railroads were beginning 
to be appreciated, and I\Ir. Crocker bent his energies towards the securing of a 
railroad from Boston to Fitchburg. In 183(5 he was sent to the legislature, and 
then voted in favor of the $1,000,000 subscription to stock in the Western 
Eailroad. On his return he commenced to agitate and aiouse the people of 
Fitchburg and the surrounding towns to the importance of obtaining railroad 
communication ; and, having undertaken that work, he continued it till the 
railroad was built. At this time his motto was, "Northern Massachusetts must 
have communication with tide-water, or pale away into utter insignificance." 
His idea at tirst was to secure a branch road either from Lowell or Worcester ; 
but later, in 1842, he came out boldly in favor of an independent route from 
Boston to Fitchburg. He was again sent to the legislature iu the winter of 
1843, where he labored incessantly and with characteristic zeal for his project. 
"Why, Crocker, where ?.s Fitchburg?" he was asked one day. He gave the 
desired information with pleasure, as he always grasped at an opportunity to 
talk of his adopted town. In spite of much opposition and ridicule, a charter 
was finally obtained, and the Fitchtmrg Riilroad was soon after built. Mr. 
Crocker rode into Fitchburg on the first locomotive March 5, 1845, and was the 
first president of the road. 




^^^^$^^:i^<^l^^^^^>>6-*-c 



SALMON W. PUTNAM. 501 

Of late bis prospects had much improved, but he had reached firm fiuancial 
ground only tlirou^h jj^roat difficulties. His character was firmly established as 
a man of foresight and ability, and he was ever afterwards a leading man. Ilis 
wealth continued to accumulate during his life. 

The building of the Fitchburg Railroad was most beneficial both to Mr. 
Crocker and the town. The stone depot, which was erected here on the com- 
pletion of the road, was placed upon land belonging to him in the Old City. 
This was contrary to the expectation of many people who thought that it must 
be on higher land, for otherwise, the road could never be extended further to 
the west, owing to the heavy grade. The people in the nppcr portion of the 
town also wished to have the depot in their vicinity, and were displeased to 
have it located in the Old City. "Crocker, you never can get your railroad 
out of Fitchbin-g," was said to him many times, but three years afterwards the 
Vermont and Massachusetts Railroad had commenced operations, and he was 
the first president. He was afterwards engaged prominently in railroad opera- 
tions, especially in the Troy and Boston Railroad and in the completion of the 
Hoosac Tunnel. During the years 1847 and 1818 he delivered several hundred 
lectures in their l)ehalf. He probably did moi-c than any other man in the State 
to ensure the completion of the Tunnel. He was one of the Commissioners 
when the work was put into the hands of the State. He was possessed of a 
great amount of enterprise, endurance and vitality, and was constantly in some 
new project for which he would work with great energy. After making a suc- 
cess of his first paper-mill, he built and bought others. He soon took Gardner 
S. Burbank into company with him, and their business continued to increase. 
Mr. Crocker was prominent in urging on the consideration of the town the 
importance of a complete system of water works, and ho contributed lar"-ely 
to the success of the measure. 

In January, 1872, ho was chosen Representative to Congress from the Ninth 
District, and was subsequently re-elected. He was a tucmbcr at the time of 
his death, which took place Dec. 30, 1874. Mr. Crocker was a remarkable 
man, and a man who contributed largely towards making a name for himself 
and for the town in which he lived. 

High on the list of men to whom the business interests of Fitchburg are 
largely indeljted is the name of Salmon "W. Putnam, whose ability, industry and 
energy founded the Putnam Machine Company, one of the largest institutions of 
the kind in the country, and who, not only in the counting-room, but in all the 
details of a large mechanical business, proved himself worthy of this compliment. 

He was descended, in the seventh generation, from John Putnam, who, with 
his wife, Priscilla, came from Abbot-Aston, near Aylesbury, England, in 1634, 
and settled in Salem, Mass. John Putnam was the great graudfithor of Gen. 
Israel Putnam, and an ancestor of Col. Rufus Putnam, chief engineer of the 
American army during the Revolutionary war. Rufus Putnam's elder brother, 
John, lived all his life at Sutton, and was by trade a scythe-maker; his son 



502 CITY OF FITCHBURG. 

John, the father of Sahnon W. Putnam, was also a scythe-niakcr, and in early 
manhood worked some years at his trade in I'etcrborough, N. II. IIo afterwards 
removed with his family to Ilopkinton, where, on the lOlh of December, 1815, 
Salmon W. Putnam was horn. He was thus naturally identilicd with working 
iu iron and steel, being in the third generation of the works of this class. 

His advantages for ol)taining an education were very limited, being denied 
the means necessary to pursue any regular course of study until ho had reached 
the age of lifteeu, when ho had contrived to save from his small earnings an 
amount sufficient to enable him to attend Appleton Academy in New Ipswich, 
N. 11., remaining there three terms. After leaving here he continued his 
study, expending, from time to time, what money he could all'ord iu the pur- 
chase of books of a substantial and instructive character, which assisted him 
in acquiring that fund of information which contributed so largely to his future 
prominence and success. 

At the age of eight years he had left his home to earn his own living, and 
first entered a small cotton-factory in New Ipswich, and worked there several 
years as a " bobbin boy." From thence ho went to Lowell, Mass., and obtained 
employment in one of the large manufacturing corporations of that place, being 
appointed overseer of a "spinning room" when only seventeen years of age. 
At the age of nineteen he went to Mason Village, N. II., to engage in the 
machine business with his brother John, where he remained until 1830, when 
he, accompanied by his brother, went to Trenton, N. J., with the intonlion of 
starting a machine-shop there ; but, owing to the financial revulsion of 18.T7, the 
enterprise was abandoned. In 1838, ho came to Fitchburg, and here engaged iu 
the machine business, under the firm-name of J. & S. W. Putnam ; tlieir busi- 
ness at first being mainly repairing, only furnished work for the two brothei's. 

It was during the early years of this partnership that ho began to show his 
mechanical genius, in way of inventions which served greatly to increase 
and benefit his business. Important among his inventions might be men- 
tioned, the universal or self-adjustable box and hanger, the feed-rod for engine- 
lathes, movable and adjustable table for upright drills, and many others. He 
did not secure these to himself by procuring letters-patent on them, as he 
might have done to his great pecuniary emoliuneut, and have thus obtained for 
himself a monopoly for years of those devices which were at once appropriated 
by others and have since come into imivcrsal use. 

On the 7th of December, 1849, the machine-shop, with all its contents, was 
destroyed by fire, and the loss was estimated at twelve thousand dollars. Being 
without insurance, the accumulations of ten years were thus swept away. The 
debts, however, were all paid, and the next 3'car the shop was rebuilt and again 
put iu active operation. 

In 1858, he organized a stock company under the name of the Putnam i\Iachine 
Company, of which he was chosen jiresident and general manager. For the 
position he was most thoroughly competent and from the bi-giuning was not 




/// i.ii?^'^^^-}^'^?-?-^--";..' — 



EUGENE T. MILES. 503 



only the creator but the guiilhig and controlling mind of the enterprise. lie 
was a thorough mechanic, an ingenious inventor and an enterprising man of 
business. lie filled this position with eminent success and credit to himself 
until his death. 

He died on the twenty-third day of February, 1S72, and throughout the 
community there was at once a feeling of loss ; and such was the place he held 
in the estimation of his fellow-citizens, that, on the day of Ids funeral, business 
was generally suspended. He was a director in the Kollstono National Bank, 
and held, during his life, many other public offices; his judgment in all 
matters, whether public or private, being always considered of great weight. 
Of his children he has left four sons, who ai'c actively engaged in his business. 
As a man, a citizen and a father he was honored and respected. 

In the list of the physicians of Fitchburg who have been both noble men 
and skilful practitioners, uo name stands so high as tiiat of Dr. Alfred Hitch- 
cock, who was born in Westminster, Vt., Oct. 17, 1813, and died in Fitchburg, 
March 30, 1874. 

In 1834 he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. David Allen, in his 
native town, and completed it at Dartmouth Medical College, in 1837, in which 
}"ear he was married and moved to Ashby, Mass. Here he commenced to 
practice, and before long his abilities became known and recognized, and he 
was accorded a place in the front rank of his profession. In 1850, he removed 
to Fitchburg, where he resided until his death. lie was sent to the legisla- 
ture in 1847, and was a member of Gov. Andrew's Council in 1861, 'G2 and 'G3. 
Both as a man and as a physician Dr. Hitchcock took high rank, and especially 
in matters relating to his profession, his excellent advice and sound judgment 
were much sought. 

Hon. Eugene Temple Miles, sou of Dea. Jonas M. and Anstis (Kendall) 
Miles, was born in Framiugham, Mass., Aug. 2C>, 182fi. Dea. Miles, the 
father of the deceased, was a resident of Shrewsbury for many years, but the 
family were temporarily residing in Framingham at the above-named date. 
The name of Miles, or Myles, as it frequently appears upon the ancient 
records, belongs to a family of honorable mention in the aunals of the Common- 
wealth. John Miles, the emigrant ancestor, was a resident of Concord as 
early as 1637, and in that town, or its immediate vicinity, ho was succeeded by 
his son Samuel, while his grandson Samuel removed in 1729 to Shrewsbury, 
from whom Eugene T. Miles was of the fifth generation in descent, and the 
seventh generation since the emigration to New England. lie received his 
early education in Shrewsbury, District No. Three. He was a good scholar, 
excelling in arithmetic and grammar. He afterwards went a few terms to 
Leicester Academy, where he completed his education. 

In early manhood Mr. Miles was several years in the hardware trade in 
"Worcester, as clerk, and for a short time the junior partner of Poole & Miles. 
In January, 1856, he removed to Fitchburg, where he continued to reside until 



504 CITY OF FITCHBURG. 



his death. During the first few mouths of his residence here, he was associated 
ill business with A. G. Page at West Fitchlnirg, but in July of the same year 
(185(!), Mr. Page sold his interest to Augustus Whitman, and the firm of 
Whitman & Miles entered upon a long and highly successful career. The 
business, as is well known to all our resident readers, was the manufacture of 
ciitling-knives, includiug a variety of edge-tools and kindred wares. Under 
skilful management, the business constantly increased, when, in 18^4, the firm 
were succeeded i)y a stock company, known as Whitman & Miles Manufacturing 
Company, and in ISGH extensive branch works were established in Akron, Ohio. 
Capt. Miles has been honorably and prominently connected not only with 
the business of the place, l)ut in the municipal affairs of Fitcliburg for many 
years. He was a member of the board of selectmen in 18G4, '05, 'GO and 1872, 
and mayor of the city in 1875. He was long one of the directors of the Fitch- 
bur"- National Bank, and one of the trustees of both of our savings banks. He 
has also been president of the Worcester North Agricultural Society, and a 
member of the State Board of Agriculture, and one of the vice-presidents of 
the Fitchburg Board of Trade since its organization. 

Capt. Miles was an earnest and patriotic supporter of the Union army during 
the late war. Ever ready to aid the soldiers and their families, he finally con- 
cluded to go to the front, but his health and his business cares compelled him 
to resign his commission as captain of company A, 5;3d regiment Massachusetts 
volunteers, before the regiment left its quarters in New York for active service 
in the field. His labor in connection with the soldiers' monument, and the beau- 
tiful square in which it stands, and the admirable report, which, in behalf of 
the committee, he made at the time it was formally presented to the city, are 
subjects of record, and will long remain an enduring inscription to his memory, 
announcing nt once his patriotic interest in the work, and his ability to give 
cllicient shape to lofty impulses. It has been remarked by a gentleman who 
knew him intimately, that whatever he did he did well. His impulses were 
irencrous and lofty, his manners urbane, and his treatment of his associates 
kind and considerate. Ilis kindness and unostentatious generosity to the poor, 
his mauy unspoken deeds of charity or liberal encouragement of i)eople worthy 
of his pecuniary assistance, were such, that, at the time of his death, ho was 
better known, perhaps, to all the citizens of Fitchburg, both rich and poor, 
than any other man. 

The shining marks which death so loves are plainly written in onr record. 
Within a few years there have gone from us Moses Wood, Salmon AV . 
Putnam, Alvah Crocker, Alfred Hitchcock and C. H. B. Snow. To this list 
was added the name of Eugene T. Miles, who died on the twenty-sixth day of 
June, 187G; who, in devotion to the interests of his adopted city, in enter- 
prise, in hcmesty of official life, as well as integrity in business affairs of every 
description, and in the estimable qualities that go to make up the companion 
and friend, was not inferior to any who have done honor to our city. 




(^ I 



/-^c^c^ /-^^f^z^ y. 



SITUATION OF THE TOWN. 505 



GARDNER 



BY REV. WILLIAM D. HERRICK. 



CHAPTER I. 

IXCOKPORATION — LOCATION — PHYSICAL FEATURES — EARLY INHABITANTS — 

INDIANS shays' REBELLION FREE AND TATRIOTIC SPIRIT GROWTH AND 

PROGRESS CHAIR BUSINESS NATIONAL AND SAVINGS BANKS CARE OF 

POOR CEMETERIES ROADS x\ND WAYS. 

Gardner was incorporated Juue 27, 178.5. It received its name from Col. 
Thomas Gardner, who fell in one of the battles of the Revolution. Like many 
other towns of more recent date, its territory was composed of portions of the 
four to^rns of Wincheudon, Ashburnham, Westminster and Templetou. It is 
somewhat unique in its situation, being upon the height of land between the 
jNIerrimac and Connecticut rivers, thus forming a watershed, from which its 
waters flow into the above-named rivers. 

It is located in the north part of the county, and is bounded on the north by 
Wiuchcndou and Ashburnham, on the east by Ashburnham and Westminster, 
on the south by Westminster and Hubbardston, and on the west by Templeton 
and Wincheudon. 

It has an area of twenty-one and seven-eighths square miles. Its distance 
from Boston, in a westerly direction, is tifty-eight miles; and north-westerly 
from Worcester, twenty-tive miles. 

Its average altitude is eleven hundred feet above sea level. Its highest 
point. Glazier Hill, near the centre of the town, is twelve hundred and ninety- 
four feet above the level of the sea. Its lowest p;>iut is eight hundred and 
ninety feet above sca-lcvel. The latitude of Gardner, at the centre of the 
town, is 42° 30' N. , its longitude 72° W. By consulting the map of the town 
its boundary line will be seen to be very irregular, owing to various causes not 
needful here to mention. The surface of the town is unusually rough and 
hilly. It embraces numerous cold, marshy lands, surrounding the base of 
mound-like elevations, which, scattered over the entire township, give to its 
surface great variety and picturesqueness. The town abounds in sluggish 
streams, some of which, emptying themselves into Otter River — the only 



506 TOAVX OF GAEDNER. 

stream which iittains the dignity of a river — find their way to the Connecticut, 
while othercj, flowing in a north-easterly direction, contribute to the head-waters 
of the Nashua. 

Gardner has several artificial lakes or ponds, but few natural ones. Among 
the latter is Crystal Lake, a name given it by vote of the town. This lake is 
situated near (he centre of the town, and is about one mile in length by one- 
half mile in breadth. It is beautifully bordered, in many places, by sturdy 
oaks and evergreens, con)ing quite down to its surface, and is chiefly fed by 
springs from the neighboring hills. It is unrivaled for beauty in all the 
surrounding country. Upon the north-western border of this lake is situated 
Crystal Lake Grove, which is under the control of the Boston, Barre and 
Gardner Railroad Corporation, and is now a popular resort for summer 
excursionists from numerous towns and cities in Massachusetts and New 
Hampshire. 

The hills of Gardner, with their varied locations and altitudes, afl'ord an 
attractive feature of the landscape, some of which, as Glazier, Bickford, Lyndo 
and Wright, deserve especial mention. The highest grade of the Fitchburg 
Railroad between the Atlantic and the Connecticut is in the eastern part of this 
town, where it reaches an elevation of eleven hundred and six feet al)ovc the 
ocean. The geographical elevation of the town is such as to render the climate 
quite severe in winter, exposed as it is to fierce, driving winds and storms, 
while in the summer months it enjoys almost constantly fresh, cooling breezes, 
that visit it from all quarters. 

Originally the town was covered by a dense growth of timber of every 
variety. At present, however, under the stroke of the greedy axe of the chair 
and pail maker, these forests have nearly all disap[)eared. 

At the date of incorporation Gardner h:id a population of about three hundred 
and seventy-five, embraced in sixt}' families, scattered far and wide over its 
entire territory, and accessible only by rough and circuitous roads. During 
the first few years succeeding the incorporation of the town the people were 
subjected to all those hardships incident to the first settlers i.f our New 
England towns ; while they were free from the incursions of Indians, by which 
older towns were annoyed, they yet exi)erienced all those ineonveuieuces of 
poverty which were the result of an unpropitious climate and an unyielding 
soil, from which they sought to draw their scanty subsistence. For some years 
their chief employment was agriculture, to which the soil of the town was not 
naturally well adapted, although some portions of it, under the cultivation it 
has received, have been made capable of producing generous crops of all kinds 
of cereals raised in our New England States. It should be remembered that 
Gardner cannot be regarded as an agricultural township, although farming 
constituted almost the only employment of the early citizens for the first 
twenty jcars of the town's existence. It naturally followed that other means 
should be sought l)y which a subsistence could be eked out. 



PUBLIC POLICY. 507 



Cooperage was the first mcchaiiieal business entered upon, including the 
manufacture of pails and tubs, by no other tools than the axe, saw and shave. 
Soon after, however, the making of chairs began, which has since grown to be 
the distinguishing bnsiness of the town, and of which mention will be more 
fully mad(! in its proper place. 

Although the early settlers were few in numljers and subject to all the priva- 
tions of the men of their times, they were not unlike the settlers of all our 
New England towns in the exhibition of an invincible courage and an unyielding 
determination to win that success which subsequently crowned their endeavors. 
They at once, in their corporate capacity, applied their wisdom and energy to 
the public interests of the town and State, and showed a praiseworthy willing- 
ness to meet and discharge the duties which, as citizens, devolved upon them. 
Their town records indicate that they were alert and busy in providing for the 
l)ul)]ic welfare at home and abroad. They first of all selected the ground, in 
the geographical centre of the town, for the burying-yard and meeting-house 
common. To this centre they made all their roads converge, and when the 
proper time came they erected the meeting-house for the accommodation of all 
the inhal)itants. The}' greatly interested themselves in the political questions 
of their times, and, though yet in their infancy, they did not hesitate to express 
their views upon State matters, by their delegate, in the presence of the 
governor of the State, and to offer their advice as to the best method of 
redressing those grievances which arose from a depreciated currency. 
Although there is no evidence that any of the inhabitants actively participated 
in the Shays Eebeliion, yet there is proof, from the early records, that they 
were not indifferent to the troubles which shook the state at that time, and 
called together the mob which followed to their disastrous results the schemes 
of Daniel Shays. More than once was the town called together to consider 
the question of sending delegates to the various conventions called to discuss 
questions of public interest, and to give direction to the delegate as to his 
conduct while sitting in convention. One of their instructions is worthy of 
record here, as showing the bold and daring spirit in which they undertook to 
bring about a reform in public matters. It is this : 

" 'Wliereas, The difficulties and tumults that are rising bv reason of the scarcity of 
money and large salaries to support government, and high tax of officers at large, we 
desire that you will use your influence that these salaries may be taken down, and 
salaries given that may be handsome for their support and not too burdensome for the 
people at large, and that the lawyers and inferior courts may be annihilated, and also 
that the General Court might not make any grants of State lands to any person except 
it is to pay State charges. Also, that the General Court may be removed out of 
Boston into some country town." 

This report of a committee chosen to draft these instructions, which the 
town adopted, bears date Sept. 25, 1786, a little more than one year from the 



508 TOWN OF GARDNER. 

date of incorporation. It will i)o seen that they did not hesitate to express 
their opinion regarding public grievances, and the Viest methods of remedying 
the evils which pi'evailed. 

In 1808 the town voted an address, prepared by Rev. Jonathan Osgood, the 
first minister, to President Jefferson, concerning the embargo, setting forth in 
strong language the evils which were befalling the country, at that time, 
through this hiudrance to tlie country's commerce. 

Politically considered, Gardner has always been strongly upon (he side of 
the general government, for whose support it has contributed liberally of men 
and means. Early in the history of the anti-slavery movement many of the 
citizens warmly espoused the cause of the bondman, and labored continually 
for his release until the long-desired day came when human bondage in the 
land was declared at an end. 

From the beginning of its history to the present time Gardner has enjoyed 
an almost uninterrupted growth in population and wealth. Beginning at its 
incorporation, with a population of only 37;"), it has advanced to about 4,000. 
It has C(jntinually increased in material strength, until now. May 1, 1879, its 
total valuation is $2,187,072 ; total number of dwelling-houses, 751'.. 

One great cause of this constant growth is the excellent railroad advantages 
which the town has for many years enjoyed, it being traversed in diilerent 
directions by the Fitchburg, and Boston, Barre and Gardner railroads, whose 
junction is convenient to the numerous chair-shops here found. 

The business interests of the town are centred largely in the manufacture of 
cane-seated chairs. This had, like all our American industries, a very small 
beginning. About the year 1805, Mr. James M. Comee began the making of 
wood and flag-seated chairs in one of the rooms of his house. These chairs 
were made mostly by hand, aided only by a foot-lathe. They were manufac- 
tured in small rpiantitics, and carried by him to Boston and other cities and 
sold. Employing several young men as apprentices, as his business gradually 
increased, Mr. Coniec found himself engaged in a profitable trade, by which he 
accumulated a handsome property for the times in which he lived. 

The machinery then used in manufacturing chairs was so simple and 
inexpensive that the young men apprenticed to Mr. Coniec, as their terms 
expired, began business for themselves, in various parts of the town, which 
finally developed into the numerous manufacturing firms here found. 

There arc, at the present date, eleven chair-firms, all actively engaged in 
business. 

The following ta1)lo represents the names, average amount of l)usiness, etc., 
done by each firm for the ten years directly preceding 1878 ; but since 
then there has been a large annual increase in the volume of business, as well 
as in the fiicilities, and niunber of operatives emploj'cd. 



THE CHAIR BUSINESS. 



509 



Statistics of Busi7iess, 





■s 


E . 


1 ft 


^■s 


' -a 


■5 i 






•^.= 


- c- 


?.- 2 




^o 


o i 


g " 


Xamf.s of FlHJlS. 


c Z ? 


^ ^ 3 


tif o 




"^ 


!« B 






s 


6 < 


■S 


1 1 


Is 


Steam. 


Water. 


Iloywooil Rroihors & Co.,* 


8700,000 


460,000 


11 25 


$500,000 


407 


125 


10 


P Dei-bv & Co., 


150,000 


160,000 


1 00 


60,000 


65 


70 


15 


S. K. Pierce, .... 


135,000 


136,000 


1 00 


41,000 


75 


50 


40 


J. A & I. J. Dunn, . 


103,700 


100,738 


1 03 


30,000 


60 


100 


10 


A. & II. C Kiiowlton, 


59,438 


49,632 


1 20 


12,000 


20 


15 


15 


Coiiant, Ball & Co., . 


68,-280 


31,000 


1 88 


40,000 


35 


26 


25 


K. Wii^'ht & Co 


5O,4u0 


70,000 


72 


25,000 


20 


16 


20 


S Bent & Bros 


5(i,-250 


76,000 


67 


30,000 


20 


_ 


25 


L. II .Siiwiii & Co., . 


60,000 


40,000 


1 25 


19,400 


35 


36 


10 


Wright & Uc:u), 


45,000 


62,325 


86 


26,000 


36 


12 


35 


Thos. Greenwood, . 


19,906 


13,271 


1 60 


8,000 


7 


- 


36 



* Including cane. 

It will he seen by the above statement tliat the chair business of the town 
has made wonderful progress from its humble beginning in 1805, in the private 
dwelling of Mr. Comec, to the present time. Its average value for the ten years 
mentioned, has been $1,422,034. The chairs annually made in town amount to 
above 1,000,000. Some of the above-named firms, besides their business 
in this town, have large warehouses in Boston, Philadelphia, Providence, New 
York, Baltimore, Chicago and San Francisco. Enterprise is chai-acteristic of 
the business men of this place. Among these firms chairs of every variety are 
made, no two following exactly the same line. They arc all well established 
in the markets of the world, and by their energy, industry and close attention 
to business, have gradually risen to competence, and sometimes to wealth. 

It is worthy of remark that almost all the wealth now possessed by our 
business men has come to them as the direct result of their own industry and 
careful management. In this regard Gardner differs from many other towns, 
much of whoso accumulation has been brought from sources from without. 

While all the companies engaged in the chair business in this town arc 
deserving of great credit for their contributions to the growth of the place, 
there are some of them meriting special mention on account of the magnitude 
of the business they have created, and the larger fticilities and appliances with 
which their business is conducted. Amongf these may be named Mr. Sylvester 
K. Pierce of South Gardner, who, beginning with small means, has built up 
au extensive business, which he has for many years conducted alone with great 
success and consequent affluence. No less successful, and in much the same 
manner, has been Mr. Philander Derby, who from small beginnings has 
developed a large business, which he conducts in extensive shops of his own 
construction. Recently Mr. Derby has associated with himself his own son, 
Arthur P., and his sons-in-law George Hodgman and G. W. Cann, under the 
firm-name of P. Derby & Co. 



510 TOWN OF GARDNER. 



The largest company, and the one most extensively engaged in the maiiu- 
factming of chairs, is that of Hcywood Brothers & Co. This firm at the 
present lime consists of the brothers, Levi and Seth, now well advanced in 
life; Charles Hcywood, son of Levi; Henry and Cleorge, sous of Seth; and 
Alvin M. Greenwood, son-in-law of Levi Ileywood, and Amos ]\Iorrill. 
There are in all twenty-two difllerent buildings connected with the business of 
tills firm, occupying an aggregate area of four and one-half acres. This 
company employ in their shops five hundred persons, whose average pay is 
$1.50 per day. They make a great variety of ciiairs and canc-seatcd settees, 
in the construction of which a large amount of machinery is employed, much of 
which has been invented and constructed in their own shops, the inventors 
being INIr. Levi Ileywood and Mr. Gardner A. Watkins, who has for several 
years been employed by this company, and is a gentleman of rare inventive 
genius. 

One peculiarity of this company is their manufacture of bent work, and the 
wovcn-seatcd chair, the seat of which is woven in a loom of curious invention, 
and inserted in the frame of the chair by very great pressure by what is called 
a crimping-machine, the invention of Mr. Watkins. 

Aside from the manufacture of a great variety of canc-scated chairs, the 
Ileywood Brothers & Co. have recently engaged in the manufacture of rattan 
chairs, of varied and beautiful designs. Another importaut part of the 
business of this firm is its cane department, through which it not only supplies 
itself with its required cane, but most of the chair-shops in the town and 
vicinity. This cane is imported by this company from Singapore, being 
brought from the seaboard directly to the doors of their shops upon the cars of 
the Boston, Barre and Gardner Railroad. Here it is prepared by being passed 
tlirough its various processes, for its final use in the backs and seats of the 
multitude of chairs made in this and adjoining towns. 

The business of this company exceeds, perhaps, that of all other firms here 
established, and is the result of steady growth, indomitable energy and skilful 
business management, which has made a market for its products in all parts of 
the world. 

Aside from the chair business of the town, which is so extensive, there are 
several kinds of manufactures carried on here, such as the making of tubs 
and pails by Messrs. Amasa Bancroft & Co. ; of bobbins by C. S. Green- 
wood's Sons ; and of carriages, harnesses, tinware, stoves and other castings 
in the foundry of Levi Ileywood & Co. ; and a great variety of other business 
found in our most enterprising towns. 

Gardner has a national bank, established in 1804, with a capital stock of 
$100,000, which in 1875 was increased to $150,000. Tlie president of this 
bank is Mr. Charles Ileywood, the first and only cashier is Mr. John D. 
Edgell, the assistant cashier is Mr. Volncy W. Howe. 

There is a savings bank organized Juue 22, 18G8, of which Mr. Francis 



CEMETERIES. 511 



Uichardsoii is president, Mr. John D. Etlgoll treasurer, nnJ Mr. Voliicy W. 
Howe, secretary. 

There is also in town :i printing-ofEcc, owned and condnctcd by A. G. 
Bnshneil & Co., and which prints (he "Gardner News," a weekly journal. 

Considered in its different branches of business, Gardner enjoys the reputa- 
tion of being one of the most enterprising and thrifty towns in the count}-. 
Nor is it underserving the reputation it has secured. 

In the early days of its history Gardner, like other towns, farmed out its 
poor to the lowest bidder in town meeting, at the same time choosing a com- 
mittee to "draw the conditions of sale." This method of caring for the poor 
continued till 1841), when the town voted to purchase a farm in the northern 
part, and to devote it, under regulations then made, to the support of its 
paupers. This farm consists of two hundred and thirty-five acres, having 
upon it a large, commodious house and convenient out-buildings, together 
with an excellent barn, forty by seventy-two feet, and costing about three 
thousand dollars. In the care of her poor Gardner has no cause for regret. 

In 1860 a town hall was erected at the centre, whose audience room seats 
about nine hundred, and is heated by steam. Underneath it are stores and the 
post-ofBce. 

Aside from the original buryiug-ground, purchased at the time of incorpora- 
tion in connection with the meeting-house common, Gardner has two ceme- 
teries more recently set apart for bu^•ial of its dead. 

Upon the western border of Cr} stal Lake, is the beautiful ground called 
Crystal Lake Cemetery, consisting of about ten acres. Situated as it is, upon 
a swell of land which rises gradually from the clear, beautiful waters of the 
lake, this cemetery, under the care it receives, forms an attractive spot for the 
last resting-place of the dead. It is divided into family lots of various forms 
and dimensions, interspersed with ornamental grounds, and contains several 
costly monuments. In South Gardner, there is Green Bower Cemetery, under 
the control of a company organized in 1849, since which time additions have 
been made to it, so that now it contains an area of about four acres. This 
also is beautifully located, and kept in a constantly improved condition. 

From the commencement of its history, Gardner has paid great attention to 
its j)ublic roads. In reading its records for the first twenty-five years of its 
existence as a town, one would be led to conclude that this one subject alone 
occupied a large part of the public attention. Recently, the money which has 
been appropriated for roads has been expended under the immediate care of 
a road-master, employed by the selectmen. In 1870, the town chose a com- 
mittee "to designate byname the different roads and streets" in the town, 
and, at the same time, voted "that the selectmen cause sign-boards to bo put 
up at the termini of each street in town." 

Gardner spends at present $3,500 annually upon the repairs of her roads 
and bridges, keeping them l)y this expenditure in as good condition as the 



512 TOWN OF GARDNER. 



nature of tlic soil and hills will allow. The rapid growth of ihe population, 
and the increase of dwellings make frequent demand for the laying out and 
building new streets. 

In this, as in many other ways, is indicated the growth of this comparatively 
new township. 



CHAPTER II. 



LOCAL OEGANIZATIONS — MILITARY AND MASONIC BODIES — FIRE DEPARTMENT 
— MUSICAL SOCIETIES — TEMPERANCE — REVOLUTIONARY AND REBELLION 
RECORD. 

After the manner of all our New England towns, Gardner has not been 
wanting in various local organizations, some of which will here be mentioned. 
Very early in its history, there was formed in town a company of men to act 
as minute-men. The precise date when this company was formed cannot He 
ascertained by the records. However, as early as Oct. 9, 1797, the town 
passed this vote: "To make up to those men that turn out, to stand at a 
minute' warning, if they march, ten dollars a month, including what the Con- 
tinent and the Slate give them." 

Aug. 10, 1812, there was an article in the town warrant "To see if the town 
shall choose a delegate to meet in county convention, at Worcester, Wcduesday, 
the 12tU of August, instant, to consult upon the alarming situation of our 
country, on the declaration of war l)ctwecu the United States and Great Britaiu 
and her dependencies, and to petition the President of the United States, if 
they see fit, to bring about a speedy and honorable peace with Great Britain. 
Chose Rev. .Jonathan Osgood delegate." 

In accordance with the spirit above indicated, a military company was 
formed in 1813, called the Gardner Light Infantry. It was soon after ordered 
to South Boston, wiierc it remained on duty till the close of the war. 

In 1844, another military company was formed called the Gardner Greys, 
which was regarded as a finely organized and equipped body of men. 

In 1870, was formed the D. G. Farragut Post No. UG, G. A. R., with 
seventeen charter members. Assisted by an annual appropriation from the 
town, this Post, upon Decoration Day, strews the graves of its fallen comrades 
in difTercnt parts of the town with flowers furnished by the friends of their 
country's brave defenders. 

Hope Lodge, F. and A. M., whose membership embraces many of the most 
worthy citizens of this and adjoining towus, was instituted March 22, 18(54. 
This Lodge has, since 18G5, occupied its elegantly furnished rooms in the 
attic story of the town hall, and is iu a flourishiuit coudilion. 




.'•'"■„-'-\^ 



RESIDENCE OF LEVI HEVWOOU, GARDNER, MASS. 




RESIDENCE OF SETH HEYWOUl), GARDNER, MASS. 



LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS. 513 



Independent Order of Odd FeUoivs.—T:\\\s is called tiio William Ellison 
Lodge No. 185, of the Iiidopeiident Order of Odd Fellows, and was instituted 
March 10, 1878, with a membership of thirt3--lwo. 

Fire Companies. — It was not till the year 1833, that the town took any- 
public action looking toward protection from fires, by providing itself with fire- 
en'Tincs. At this time the town voted to lay out two hundred dollars toward 
the purchase of two tire-engines. Subsequently, larger and move efficient 
engines were procured, and fire companies formed. The company ut the south 
village was formed Nov. 15, 1852, and was named Cataract Engine Company, 
No. 1. The company at the centre was formed Oct. 30, 1852, taking the name 
of Torrent Engine Company. Both of these companies arc well organized 
and thoroughly drilled, and manifest great etficicncy in the performance of 
their duties as firemen. Both also have been repeatedly successful in com- 
peting for prizes at the various firemen's musters which tliey have attended. 

Almost from the date of incorporation, the people of this town have mani- 
fested gi eat interest in musical culture. In 17'J1, the town voted "to grant 
some money to hire a singing-master." Beginning in this manner thus early, 
there has ever since that time been a commendable iutercst shown by the citi- 
zens in this most useful art. 

In 1855, there were two bands in town, one at the south village, called the 
"Mechanic Cornet Band," consisting of nineteen members; the other at the 
centre, called the "Gardner Cornet Baud," composed of eighteen members. 
The Gardner Cornet Band, after attaining great proficiency, was broken up by 
the departure of some of its members to the war, where they followed Sher- 
man in his march to the sea, and has never since been re-orgauized. 

The "Worcester County North Musical Association" was formed in 1851, 
and after meeting annually, alternately, in Athol and Gardner, finally, in 1871, 
settled upon this town as the permanent place for holding its conventions. 
Under its different directors it has achieved a worthy reputation and great pop- 
ularity. 

As a matter of history, upon a subject of such vast importance to the State 
and nati(jn, it cannot be otherwise than pertinent to our present purpose, to 
notice the manner in which the temperance cause has been regarded and treated 
in this town. 

Touched by the popular feeling which began to agitate the whole country, 
about the year 1824, the citizens of this town, at that time, began to consider 
the evils of intemperance, and to undertake measures for reclaiming the fallen 
and setting the youth upon paths of temperate living. About the year 1829, 
a temperance organization was formed, under the stimulus of the second pastor 
of the First Congregational Church, Rev. Increase S. Lincoln, called the Gard- 
ner Temperance Society, and was auxiliary to the American Temperance Soci- 
et}'. This was evidently not a total abstinence society, for wc find in its by- 
laws an article to this effect: "With a sacred regard to truth and honor, we 



514 TO^\rN OF GARDNER. 



pledge ourselves to give at the anmisil iiioelintj of this society, a strict and 
impartial account of what quantity of ardent spirits and wine we ourselves 
have personally drank, the preceding year, and what it cost. Likewise to give 
a true account of what we use iu our families, and what we give those we 
employ and our families, and what it cost." 

Fehruary 8, 1842, was formed the " Washington Total Abstinence Society 
of Gardner." Some of the duties assumed h}' those joining this socict}-, were 
"to use their utmost endeavors to reclaim and restore to temperance those who 
are lui fortunately addicted to drunkenness, to bring forward and reclaim all 
inebriates, wherever they may be found, and in no case to abandon a drunkard 
as irreclaimable." Here is seen the true si)irit of the Washingtonian move- 
ment, Avhich was instrumental in saving, by its moral suasion, so many fallen 
men. Out of this movement sprang cold water armies, which so greatly inter- 
ested the children of the land, and set so many steadfasth' in the ways of tem- 
perance. 

In 1848 was formed the "Gardner Temperauce Society," which continued 
till 1851, when a new constitution was adopted. Under this new constitution 
this society flourished for a number of years, when it ceased to exist for lack 
of interest. After this came a society called "Sons of Temperance," which 
had a brief life. Following this, in 180G, was a secret temperance organiza- 
tion, called "Philokalia Lodge No. 82, L O. of G. T." The name of this 
society signifies "love of nmral and personal beauty." This lodge became 
extinct in 1872, by the surrender of its charter. In 1876, was organized a 
"Reform Club," under the direction of Dr. IT. A. Reynolds, at that time quite 
a celebrated temperance reformer. The badge of the club was the red ribbon. 
This order lasted a little more than one j'car, when it sunk out of sight, to be 
followed, in 1878, by the Murphy movement, whose badge was the blue rib- 
bon. This reform gathered in hundreds, who took the pledge, many of whom 
held out for a time ; most, however, finally succumlied to the power of 
habit, and went back again to their old practices. The object, iu tracing thus 
minutely the history of the "rise and fall" of the temperance movements of 
this town, is to show the utter instability of this sort of temperance reform.a- 
tory work, and the necessity of connccliiig it with that which is more perma- 
nent, if it shall be successful as a reform. 

The following are the names of those citizens of Gardner who served in the 
Revolutionary war: William Bickford, Ebenezer Bolton, Josiah Baldwin, 
Jonathan Bancroft, David Comec, Joseph Clark, John Eaton, David Foster, 
Aaron Greenwood, Seth Ileywood, Reuben Ilaynes, Timothy Kneeland, Samuel 
Kelton, John Mathews, Joseph Symonds, Josiah Wheeler and Jonathan Whit- 
ney. Two of these, William IVickford and Ji)siah Wheeler, also served in the 
old French war. 

Immediately upon the proclamation of President Lincoln, declaring the 
South to be iu a stale of rebellion, and calling for scvcuty-fivc thousand vol- 



THE CIVIL WAR. 515 



unteers, for uincty tlays, for the suppression of the insurgents, Gardner called 
a town meeting to take necdfiii measures to respond to the call for troops. 

The first town meeting was called April oO, 18GI, for the special purpose of 
raising volunteers, and for providing relief fn- their fimilics during their 
absence. 

The following votes were passed at this meeting : — 

"Voted unanimousl}', That the selectmen be and are hereby authorized to purchase, 
at tlie expense of the town, clothing or uniforms (suitable for wear in active service), 
sufTicient for the members of a volunteer militia company, which may be raised by 
enlistment of the citizens, or inliabitants of the town, and be organized agreeable to 
the laws of the Commoriwealth, as a volunteer compan_y of militia, on or before the 
first day of June next. Provided that said eompan}' shall pledge themselves to enter 
the service of the Commonwealth of JIassaehusetts, or of the government of the 
United States, to defend and sustain said government against traitors and rebels, 
which now, or may threaten its destruction, if called for b}- the proper authoritj', or 
authorities for that purpose." 

Although these were the only legal meetings held in town in the year 1861, 
yet there were numerous tiiectings of the citizens, for consultation and aid, in 
the efforts put forth by the town for carrying on the war for the Union. The 
town, not being able to raise a full company, fifty-seven young men volun- 
teered and went into different regiments iu the State then being raised. At a 
town meeting convened April 1(5, 18C2, it was voted, "That aid be paid to the 
families of soldiers the same as last j-ear." July 23, 18G2, it was voted : — 

" That the selectmen be, and are hereby authorized to offer a bonnt}' of one hundred 
dollars (in addition to the bounty now offered by government) for each and ever}' vol- 
unteer who ma}- enlist into the service of the United States, on or before the 15th day 
of August next, as a part of the quota of forty men, to be fnrnislied, liy the town of 
Gardner, under the late requisition of tlie governor of Massachusetts, and that the sum 
of $-1,200 be and is hereb}' appropriated b}- said town, for the purpose of carrying the 
same into etfect. Also, that the selectmen be jiud are hereby authorized to draw their 
order on the treasurer of said town, iu the sum of $100 for each and every volunteer 
(not exceeding the number of fort}-), when thej' shall produce to them satisfactory evi- 
dence that they are mustered into the United States service, as a part of said quota of 
volunteers, to be furnished b}' said town ; and that said selectmen constitute a com- 
mittee, to procure necessary enlistment papers, and immediately open a recruiting 
office, under their own superintendence." 

Aug. 23, 18G2, it was voted "That (he town pay one hundred dollars to 
each and every volunteer, who has enlisted or may enlist, under the last call 
of the President of the United States, to fill our quota of nine months men, 
before the 3d of Sei)tember next, tlio bounty to be paid when mustered 
into service." "Voted to appropriate $0,000 for the purpose of carrying into 
effect the votes passed under this article." Voted "that. the selectmen be 



516 TOWX OF GARDNER. 



authorized and instrin-ted to draw tlieir orders on the treasurer of tlie town, to 
pay the vohinteers, in ai;cordancc with the votes passed at this meeting." 
Voted, "To instruct the selectmen to call a town meeting, as soon as may he, 
and insert an article in the warrant, to sec if the town will liorrow money to 
defray the appropriations made at this meeting." 

Sept. 1, 18(32, it was voted "That the treasurer be authorized to borrow 
such sums of monc3% under the direction of the selectmen, as shall be neces- 
sary to defray town expenses, not exceeding $8,000." 

Oct. 11, 18()2, it was voted "that the town pay to each of the volunteers, 
who have enlisted, or who may enlist into the service of the United States, 
from this time, for nine months, over and above the town quota, not exceeding 
twcnt^'-three, $100, to be paid when mustered into service." 

There were from this town tifty volunteers in 1802, who, Mith about the 
same number from Templcton, formed company G, fifty-third regiment Massa- 
chusetts volunteers. These were enlisted for nine months. Aside from these, 
there were fortj'-fivc men who volunteered for the service, thirtj'-five of whom 
were in the thirt3-sixlh regiment Massachusetts volunteers, three in the naval 
service, the remainder l)cing in different regiments; making ninety-five meu 
who voluntarily entered the United States service in 18G2. 

June 27, 18G3. it was voted "That the selectmen of the town arc hereby 
authorized to draw from time to time upon the treasurer, at their discretion, 
in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth, for the purpose of render- 
ing the necessary aid to the families of those who have been or may be 
engaged in the military service of the United States." 

After the year 1862, business having greatly revived, it became difficult to 
find young men who were willing to enlist in sufficient numbers to fill the 
quotas of the town ; consequently it ])ecame necessary to hire recruits wherever 
they could be found. Recruiting was mostly done in Boston, through the 
agency of brokers. For this purpose the sum of $2,37,5 was raised by indi- 
vidual subscriptions, which was afterwards refunded b}' the town. 

April 4, 1864, it was voted "That the sum of $125 be paid to each recruit, 
for the purpose of filling the quotas of this town, under the last call of the 
President of the United States, in accordance with the act of the legislature, in 
relation thereto ; Provided, that no money shall bo paid any recruit until ho 
has been credited to the town, as a part of its quota." 

April 20, 1864, it was voted "That the town refund to the subscribers the 
amount of $125 for each recruit furnished under the call of the President, 
Oct. 17, 1863." It was voted at the same meeting "That the town appropriate 
the sum of one dollar per week, for each of the members of the families of per- 
sons, who are, or may be, mustered into the service of the United States, as a 
part of the quota of this town, to be supplied under the direction of the select- 
men in accordance with the statutes of this Commonwealth." It was also voted 
"That the sum of $2,375 be raised and applied, under the direction of the 




KESIUKNCE Ol- HE.NKY HKVWUUl), UAKDNEK, .M.l 




HEYWOUD IIUOTHEKS * COMPANY'S TAINT SlllJI', GAKDNEH, MASS. 



AID AND BOUNTIES. 517 

selectmen, for the purpose of refunding the money paid out by individuals, in 
procuring men, to lill the quota of this town, under the call of the President, 
Oct. 17, 1S()3." 

Juno 1, 18G4, it was voted "That the selectmen be and are hereby authorized 
to pay $12.5, for each and every recruit, who has enlisted siucc May 1st, 1864, 
and been duly mustered into the United States service, to the credit of the 
town of Gardner, and for whom no town bounty has been paid." It was also 
voted, at the same meeting, "That the selectmen be authorized to pay $125 for 
each and every recruit, who may enlist under their sanction, or under the sanc- 
tion of any responsible committee of the citizens of Gardner, under any or all 
calls or orders of the President of the United States, issued between March 
1st, 1864, and March 1st, 1865." It was also voted "That the town treasurer 
be authorized to borrow such sum or sums of money, from time to time, as 
may be necessary, to meet the orders of the selectmen, in accordance with 
previous votes passed at this meeting." 

During the year 1863-4, there were twenfy-scven enlistments from this 
town. 

The whole number of men furnished by the town for the war was two hundred 
and ninety-eight, which was a surplus of nineteen above ail demands. Si.K of 
these were commissioned officers. 

Pecuniary/ Cost of the War to the Town. — The following sums show the 
cost of the war to the town : — 

Eaised and expended by the town, . . . . ' . S23,0G2 27 

Raised by voluntary- subscription, 13,343 70 

Paid State aid to soldiers or families, .... 17,363 12 

Soldiers' Aid Society and other channels, .... 1,000 00 

Paid since close of the war, 11,905 46 



Total, $GG,G74 55 

There is another item of cost of no little importance to the citizens of this 
town. Of the whole number drafted, twenty-five were accepted, none of 
whom went to the war, but procured substitutes, for whom they paid $300 
each, making the sum of $7,500, which, added to the above, makes the whole 
cost of the war to this town, $74,174.55. Of the whole number of soldiers 
credited to this town, 9.61 per cent, were killed or died before reaching 
home. 



518 TO^TN OF GARDNER. 



CHAPTER III. 

EDUCATIONAL MATTERS — HIGH SCHOOL KELIGIOUS HISTORY ORIGINAL 

CONDITION — RISE OF OTHER DENOMINATIONS — EMINENT CITIZENS — TOWN 
HISTORY. 

TiiE school systom of Gardner forms an interesting portion of its history. 
In it we discover the fonndat ions of future growdi !ui(l increased iutelh'gence. 
In the warrant of the first annual town meeting, ISIareh 7, 1780, was an article, 
"To see if the town will grant money for schooling, and act anything relating 
to schools as they shall think best when met." AVhercupon the town voted to 
divide its entire territory into "four squadrons," and that the committee chosen 
for this duty should report at an adjourned meeting. At this meeting, March 
14, the town voted to accept of the report of the committee, which was to 
divide the town into four squadrons or districts, namely, South, West, North 
and East, giving the names of the families residing within the limits named by 
the committee. 

At a town meeting, held April 3, 1780, a vote was passed "To divide one- 
half of the school money into four equal divisions; and the rest of the money 
to be divided into the said divisions, according to the luimbcr of scholars from 
twent3^-oue ycai-s down to four j-ears old. Each squadron to provide their 
own school master or mistress, and have liberty for to say how much shall be 
kept in a woman's school, they not exceeding more than one half of the money 
in a womans school." Voted, "To choose four persons, one in each squadron, 
to provide a school and to- take tho numl)cr of the children in the several 
squadrons." It appears from the town records that, up to the year 1791, there 
was but one school-house in all tho town, aud that "so old and shattered tliat it 
is not fit to keep schoorin, and schools kept in i)rivate houses, and very small 
too, arc not convenient for the schools." It would appear from these records 
that the schools, at the commencement of the town's histoiT, wore convened 
for some years in i)rivate dwellings, and were of voy short duration. 

In 1794 the town voted to rcdistrict its territory, making seven squadrons 
in^stead of four. At this date seven members of a committee were chosen to 
rcdistrict the town, and to "appoint the places whore the school-houses shall 
stand." At an adjouincd meeting this vote was reconsidcrcTl, and so no 
definite action was taken. The following year, 1795, there was a vote "to 
divide the town into four equal parts, and for placing the school-houses in the 
centre of each quarter." This committee were to say where the centre of each 
quarter should be, ;ind "how big the school-houses shall be." After repeated 
endeavors the school districts were finally established, and the needed school- 
houses built. That those houses were very plain, unadorned structun-s, 
differing widely from those which have in these modern dayslakrn their iilaces, 
is evident from some of the records we have of them. 




- cFJE«E^'-'° 



RESIDENCE OF I'HILANIJKU UElillV, GAKDNER, MASS. 




P. DERBY &■ COMPA^'Y'S CHAIK FACTORY, GAKD.VEU, M.l 



SCHOOL BUSINESS. 51i) 



At tbo March meeting in 1802 there was an article in the warrant, "To see if 
the town will choose a coniniittcc to see what repairs, if any, the school-houses 
need, and paint Ihein with Spanish brown and lye." Rut, however much tiio 
school-houses needed the " Spanish brown and lye," the town voted " to pass 
over this article." It was not till the year 1809 that the town voted "To 
choose a committee of four men to inspect the schools in said town, at the 
opening of said schools for the ensuing year." Hero was the beginning of that 
custom of visiting schools, by agents appointed by the town, which has 
continued till the present time, with increased power and efficiency. In 1818 
the town voted " to choose a committee to divide the town into school districts." 
This committee recommended that the town be divided into six school districts, 
and fixed the bounds of each, at the same time numbering the families in town, 
which amounted to one hundred and fifty-three. 

This same year the town "Voted that each district shall l)uild and support 
their own school-houses; that each district shall have the privilege of placing 
their own school-houses, if they can agree, otherwise the town shall place 
them." At the March meeting, 1820, the town voted "That the school-money 
be divided according to the number of families that shall be in each district on 
the first Monday of May next." Voted, "That the school committee divide 
the school-money if tiiey can agree, if not, the selectmen shall divide it." 
This method of dividing the school-funds continued till 1837, when the town 
voted "That six hundred dollars be laid out for schooling ; that one-third of 
the money be divided according to the number of the scholars in their respec- 
tive districts, the scholars to be counted between the ages of four and twenty- 
one, the remainder to be divided into six equal parts; that the school agents 
ascertain the number of scholars in their respective districts." 

The first mention we have of money received from the State for schools was 
in 1838, when the town voted "that the money received from the State he 
divided according to the number of scholars." In March, 1839, the town 
voted for the first time that "the school agents be authorized to hire teachers 
for their respective districts." 

In 18()9 all districts in town were abolished, and the graded system was 
introduced, which continues until the present time with commendable success. 

An unsuccessful attempt was made in 185(1 to establish a high school. The 
committee chosen to take the matter in charge reported that, "in the opinion 
of a majority of your committee, it is inexpedient that the town take measures 
to support a high school." Nothing more was done looking to the establish- 
ment of a high school till 18()G, when the town "voted that a high school bo 
established in town according to law, and that the selectmen and superintending 
committee be a committee to carry into effect this vote, and provide a suitable 
place for holding said school." In accordance with this vote, a high school 
was first opened in this town in the fall of 1866, in an old school-house formerly 
occupied by the centre school district. This building continued to be occui)ied 



520 TOWN OF GARDNER. 

by llie high school until its removal, in Dcccmhor, 1874, into the new, 
substantial and conimodious brick building, erected for its accomodation by 
vote of the town, upon land donated the town by Mr. Levi Ileywood. 

The high school house is 4G by 70 feet, with a front projection, and porch 
17 by 22 feet. It is two stories high, having a tower ninety feet in height. 
It has three front entrances, having open porches and large halls. The high- 
school room is 40 by 43 feet, and 15^ feet in height, having commodious 
recitation, library and apparatus rooms attached, and is furnished with ash 
seats and desks. In the lower stor)' is an ample room for the accommodation 
of the higher grammar school, well furnished and very pleasant. 

At the present time the town possesses ample and convenient school accom- 
modations, and is in all respects thoroughly equipped for efBcient school work. 
In the year 178G the town appropriated thirty pounds for schools. This sum 
has gradually increased in the progress of years, till now it amounts to seven 
thousand dollars, as the last appropriation of the town for schools. 

At the date of the incoiporation of the town, the law of the State was such 
that towu and parish were identical, and all parish business was transacted by 
the citizens in town meeting. This accounts for the medley condition of the 
town records, which seem so curious to us of modern times. For instance, we 
find the following record of n town meeting: "Voted the Rev. Jonathan 
Osgood eighty pounds for one-half of his settlement, and seventy-five pounds 
for his two 3'ears salary." "\'otcd, that the lowest ])idder take the meeting- 
house, to sweep it four times a j'car, well, and open the doors at all public 
meetings, and see that the doors and windows be kept shut after the meeting 
is over, and bring water for christening." ''Voted, to let swine run at large, 
under the regulations of the law." Here is to us an almost ludicrous inter- 
mingling of minister, meeting-house, christening and ^wine, l)ut which, to men 
of tliat day, were matters of grave importance. 

Immediately upon the incorporation of the town, action was taken, in a town 
meeting, held Nov. 7, 17S5, looking to the erection of a new meeting-house, 
and the hiring of preaching. The articles in the warrant for that meeting were 
these : "To know their minds concerning giving security for the mecting-housc 
grounds, and a deed of the same." "To know their minds concerning building 
n meeting-house, and to act anything relating thereunto, as they shall think 
projjcr when met." "To know their minds concerning hiring preaching." At an 
adjourned meeting, November 14, the town voted "To take a deed of the laud 
already surveyed for a site for a meeting-house common and buiying-yard." 
The town then heard the report of their building committee, and " Voted to 
build a meeting-house forty feet wide and sixt^'-five feet long, with three 
porches." Afterwards they voted to build the house 45 feet by GO, with two 
porches, and to vendue the stuff for building in small lots; that the hcwing- 
limber be cut by the last of June next. They also chose a committee " to 
accept of the timber and stuff." 



BUILDING THE MEETING-HOUSE. 521 



Tlioro was a comraitteo chosen "to clnnv a plan of (he niccting-house, and to 
sec what stuff it will take." Upon (he plan and specifications of this committee, 
the materials of which the mcctiug-houso was to be built were auctioned off in 
separate pieces, each successful bidder obliging himself in nine pounds, should 
he fail to deliver his contract by the first day of April, 1787. 

The amount of legislation required to dig the trenches for the walls, to set 
the underpinning, and to provide for (he payment of the bills for the erection 
of the first meeting-house in this town, is both curious and marvelous, and 
serves well to show the devotion, sacrifice and perseverance of those who had 
all these important matters in charge. 

On June 27, 1787, the house was raised and set in its place, which was the 
same site now occupied by the new edifice of this same society. 

It appears from the curious and interesting town records of that early day 
that when all things were ready, and all the neighboring towns had been 
invited to be present to assist in this great work, the town called a special 
meeting, at which the only vote passed was the following: "Voted, for the 
committee to give the spectators one drink." 

AUhough this meeting-house was raised and covered in 1787, it was not 
finished in (he inside im(il 1791, four years after its erection. The manner in 
which (he money for (he building of (his edifice was raised may bo seen by the 
following item upon (he records : "Voted, that the collector take butter of the 
persons (hat are in his rates, provided that they bring the butter by the first of 
July next, .it Id. per pound, and the collector to provide (irkins to put said 
but(er in, and to deliver the butter to the committee that are to provide the 
nails for the meeting-house, when called for. It is expected that the collector 
put the butter into good firkins, well salted, and the butter to be good butter." 

Thus built, this church continued for many years to be the only public build- 
in"- in the town. In it (he inhabitants of the town worshipped on the Sabbath, 
and held their town meetings, as occasion required, till the erection of the new 
town hall in 1860. 

The church connected wi(h (he First Parish worshipped in this house till the 
union with the Evangelical church and society in May, 1807. It has since 
passed into private hands for secular uses. 

One incident is wordiy of notice connected with the public worship in this 
first meeting-house. 

In (he warrant for (he March meeting, 1797, (here was an ardcle "to see if 
the town will let a bass-viol be carried into (he meeting-house, and played upon 
in time of singing of (he public worship." The town " voted to let the bass- 
viol come into the meeting-house on Sundays." In March, 1799, (here was 
again an article in (he warrant, "to see if (he town will do any thing fur(her 
abou( (he bass-viol." Upon which the town voted " to let the singers act as 
they (hiuk best about bringing the bass-viol into the meeting-house, or not 
briutring it in." 



522 TOWN OF GARDNER. 

The first church in this town was of the Coneregatioiial orili'r, and was 
organized Feb. 1, 1786, having a total membership of thirt^'-lhree. This 
church had no settled pastor till Oct. 19, 1791, when Rev. Jonathan Osgood 
was installed as the tirst pastor, who served the church and town faithfully for 
nearly thirty-one years. Mr. Osgood's conditions of settlement were these : 
£1G0 for seltlcment, and for his annual salary £75. Sul)sequently the town 
voted to give him twenty cords of hard wood, delivered at his door. As the 
currency depreciated, the town voted him an extra sum of £25. 

Aside from performing the duties of sole pastor in town, ^Mr. Osgood acted 
for several years as the oidy physician the town had, having studied medicine 
and practised as surgeon in the army previous to studying theology. 

In many respects ho was a remarkable man. and like most of the clergymen 
of those times, ho led the town in matters of public interest. He died May 
21, 1822, greatly lamented by the entire town, and was buried in the old 
church-yard in the rear of the First Congregational Church. 

The Evangelical Congregational Society and Church was formed June 25, 
1830, as an offshoot of the first church and society. Various reasons c(mibined 
to produce this result ; some doctrinal and others having a humanitarian basis, 
especially the anti-sluvery question, which was beginning, at that time, to 
agitate the country. This new society immediately erected a small church 
edifice, just north of the old church, which was dedicated June 16, 1831, and 
which it continued to occupy, with some alteration and repairs, from time to 
time, till the year 1856, when it entered its new and more commodious house 
of worship, erected at a cost of nine thousand dollars. 

The Evangelical Chinx-h connected with the above society was organized out 
of a portion of the members of the First Church, May 11, 1830. The first 
pastor was the Rev. Increase S. Lincoln. 

The following votes of this church are interesting, as showing the feeling 
then existing regarding the matter of slavery : May 15, 1835, the church unan- 
imously passod a resolution, "to refuse to acknowledge a slave-holding minis- 
ter to be a Christian minister, by sitting under his preaching, knowing him to 
be guilty of the sin of slave owning." Again, in 1812, the church passed the 
following: "Whereas the ministei-s and members of the churches of our land 
are many of them, partakers of the guilt of slavery, either by holding slaves, 
or by apologizing for the wicked system ; and whereas the Gospel requires 
us to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness ; Be it therefore 
resolved. That it is the duty of this church, in giving invitations to members 
of evangelical churches to commune with us, to except all such as arc guilty of 
the sin of slavery as specified in the above preamble." It will be seen that 
this church very early took advanced ground regarding the great national evil 
of human slaver}'. 

The First Congregational Church and Parish presents the following history 
since 1867: lu May, 1867, the two churches and societies effected a union, 




riKST COXGKEOATIOXAL CHVKCH, GARDNER, MASS. 



CHURCH AFFAIRS. 523 



after a separation of more than forty-seven years, upon the following basis : 
"That the First Congregational Chnrch, and the Evangelical Congregational 
Church in Gardner, unite and become consolidated in one church, adopting the 
articles of faith and the covenant of the Evangelical Church, and the name of 
the First Congregational Church in Gardner, and be connected with the First 
Parish in said Gardner." 

The united churches occupied, as a place of worship, the chinch edific'e 
erected by the Evangelical Society in 185G, until July IG, 1879, when the new 
church built upon the site of the first mccting-house, was dedicated. 

This house is a substantial structure, built of brick, at a cost of $30,000, 
with a seating capacity of about six hundred, with lecture-room, infant class- 
room and library, parlor, dining-room and all modern cliurch appurtenances. 

The Baptist Society and Church was formed Jan. 30, 1828. In 1833, it 
erected a house of worship in the south village, which it continued to occupy 
till 1872, when, larger accommodations being required, the iiouse was enlai-gcd 
by an addition of fifteen feet to its length, the walls frescoed, new pews 
replacing the old ones, a new spire erected, and a fine tower clock supplied, 
all at an expense of about $7,500. 

The church in connection with this society was organized Nov. 1,5, 1830, 
with a membership of twenty-three. This church and society has always been 
aggressive and prosperous, performing a nsefid work in town. 

The Catholics of Gardner were first temporarily organized in 18G3. In 1873, 
a site for a new church edifice was purchased on Cross Street, and the house 
completed December, 1874, at a total cost of $26,000 ; it will seat seven hun- 
dred. This is a large and growing church, having in it the elements of great 
prosperity. 

The Universalist church and society was organized June 4, 18G4. For a few 
years worship was conducted in the town hall. Afterwards the society pur- 
chased the house of the first parish, which they repaired and used for several 
years, till the erection of their new church on Cross Street, upon land given 
them by Mr. William S. Lynde. This new edifice was completed in the spring 
of 1874, and was dedicated May 2Gth, of the same year. This church is a 
neat and commodious structure, beautifully located, and the society is in a 
generally flourishing condition. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church was formed in 18G9. In 1870 a chapel 
was erected in the west village, upon land donated by Mr. Lewis H. Graham. 
This chapel was dedicated Sept. 14, 1870, and continued to accommodate the 
church until Aug. 9, 1877, when the present edifice erected upon land on 
Chestnut Street, donated l)y Mr. John A. Dunn, was dedicated. This church 
has a light and pleasant audience room, with a seating capacity of six hundred, 
and with its lecture room and other accommodations is a very convenient and 
attractive church edifice. Its cost is $13,000, including tower clock and 
or:'an. 



524 TOWN OF GAEDNER. 

Although Gardner cannot boast of having given birth to sons and daughters 
of national reputation and world-wide fame, she yet feels honored in her 
children, who have represented her in the less conspicuous positions of human 
enterprise and achievement. From the commencement of her existence she 
has been fortunate iu her possession of men of sterling worth and fearless 
enterprise, whose perseverance has given lasting prosperity to the town. 

Among men of })ublic note may be named Gen. Moses Wood, who was born 
in Gardner, April 2, 1803, and died in Fitchljurg. May 8, 18G9. Mr. Wood 
began l)usiness as a merchant in this town iu 1827, which he successfully 
prosecuted till 1834, when he removed to Providence, R. I. Here he became 
a leading director in the Arcade Bank. In 1838 the General Assembly of 
Rhode Island elected him brigadier-general of militia of Providence County. 
In 1849 he was elected first president of Rollstone Bank, Fitchburg, Mass. 
He was also a director in the old Fitchburg Bank. After removing to Fitch- 
burg, he was chosen delegate to the National Democratic Convention for the 
nomination of President and Vice-President. In 1851-52 he represented this 
senatorial district in the Massachusetts Senate with marked ability. He was 
also president of the Worcester North Agricultural Society for several years. 
His character was marked by nnflinchiug honesty and uncommon courtesy. 
He was a man of great and commanding ability, and died greatly honored and 
esteemed by those who knew him best. 

Conspicuous among the leading business men of the town for many years is 
the name of Mr. Levi Heywood. Mr. Ileywood was born in Gardner, Dec. 
10, 1800, and received in early life only that degree of education which could 
be derived from the common schools of this town, with a few terms at the 
academy in New Salem. For a time he taught school. Afterwards he went 
into business as a stone-worker and contractor. He then engaged in mercan- 
tile life for a few years, after which ho entered into the chair business, in which 
he has ever since been engaged with various partners in this town and in 
Boston. The town is greatly indebted to Mr. Ileywood for the persevering 
interest he manifested in securing the location of the Vermont and Massachu- 
setts Railroad through this town, in the face of great opposition ; also that of 
the Boston, Barre and Gardner Railroad, both of which are now of such 
immense importance of the prosperity of the town. In all that concerns the 
material growth of the town and its permanent prosperity, Mr. Heywood has 
alwas l)orne a prominent and highly im])ortant part. 

Gardner has several graduates of our various New England colleges, who 
successfully represent her in all the learned professions, whose names, though 
worthy, our present limits forl)id us to mention, among whom, however, is 
Dr. Nathan S. Lincoln, now a distinguished physician of Washington, D. C. 

The reader who desires further aiTiuaintaucc with this town is referred to 
Ilerrick's History of Gardner, pp. 535, 1878, for many particulars that are 
necessarily excluded from a sketch of this description. 



PHYSICAL ASPECTS. S'if) 



GR AFT O N. 



BY REV. JOHN II. WINDSOR.* 



CHAPTER I. 



PHYSICAL ASPECTS — LAKES AND OTHER WATERS — SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS — 
FIRST OCCUPATION — PRAYING INDIAN VILLAGE — LAND GRANTS — INDIAN 

DEED TO WHITE SETTLERS — TOAVN INCORPORATION FRENCH AND INDIAN 

WAI'.S. 

Tins town is situated eight miles south-east of the city of Worcester, and 
near the eastern boundary of the county. Its northern boundaries are the 
towns of Shrewsbury and Westborough ; its eai^tern, Westborough and Upton ; 
its southern, Northbridge and Sutton ; its western, Sutton and Millbury. 

The physical features of the town are varied, and exceedingly picturesque. 
Lying largely at the confluence of the valleys of the Quinsigamond and the Black- 
stone, with their intervales threaded with streams and flunked i)y the lesser 
hills; having a broad and multiform horizon, which stretches away northward 
till it embraces the Wachusett, and even, in the blue distance, the Monadnock 
Mountains ; eastward to the nearer towns of Middlesex ; south to the towns of 
Northbridge, Uxbridgc and the lower region of the Blackstone Valley ; while 
the western landscape is made up of the valley of the Quinsigamond Lake, 
portions of Worcester, and, on the outer rim, the Leicester hills, — surround- 
ings such as these give more than ordinary attractiveness to the general view. 

The chief rivers are the Quinsigamond, also called the Little Blackstone, and 
the Blackstone. The former enters the town at its north-western corner, takes 
a southerly course, and joins the Blackstone about two miles from the south 
line of the town. The latter enters at the south-west angle of the town, and, 
after a generally eastern but very crooked course, having received the waters 
of the Quinsigamond, flows south into Northbridge. There are several small 
streams in different parts of the town, the two principal of which are the Assa- 
bet, which takes its rise in the north-east part of the town, and after a short, 
northerly course, entering Westborough, at last empties into the Merrimac ; 

• The author gratefully acknowledges tho valuable assistance he has received from Henry F. Wing, Esq., 
a gentleman well versed in the history of this, his native towa. 



52(5 TOWN OF GRAFTO^^ 



the other is the George or Miscoe Brook, which rises in the easterly p;ii t of the 
town, and, flowing sonth, enters Upton at its north-west corner, to lose itself 
in Narraganset Bay. The principal ponds are Flint's and Goddards, on the 
Qninsigamond, and Silver Lake, on the Miscoe. Three prominent clovalions 
occur in different parts of the town, known as Iveilh, Brighaiu and Chestnut 
hills. From these points there is a very broad and charming outlook. 

The growth of wood embraces the oak of several varieties, walnut, butter- 
nut, chestnut, white and pitch pine, black and white ash, birch and buttonwood. 

The laud is generally strong, of a clayey loam, with a few sections of a 
lighter and gravely soil. It is well adapted for the staple grains, roots and 
grasses. Extensive meadow-lauds border the differeut streams, the whole lying 
upon a foundation of granite, quartzite and gneiss. The last named is the most 
general, it has a free cleavage, aud is used for underpinning, dijorstcps and 
posts ; no extensive quarries, however, have been opened. This tcrritor}' has 
a diameter north and south of five miles, and east aud west of four. 

The territory thus designated has an early record of deep historic interest. 
It was one of the Indian reservations set apart for the Christian or praying 
Indians by the Provincial Government, upon the petition of Ecv. John Eliot. 
The grant was made May 15, 1654, in the following terms: — "Liberty is 
granted to the Indians of Ilassanamisco,* being aljout IG miles west of Sud- 
bury to make a town thus, provided it does not prejudice any former grant, 
nor that they sh;dl dispose of it without leave first had aud obtained IVom this 
Court." -f In October, 1059, Eliot petitions the Court to have this plot laid 
out. " My request is that Mr. Danforth may have power to lay out aud bound 
Hassanamesitt." J When the towuship of Sutton was purchased of the Indians, 
it embraced this reservation, which the General Court excluded from that deed 
of purchase, — "reserving the Indian property of Hassauamisco." § These 
Hassauamesitt or Ilassanamisco Indians were a branch of the Nipmuck or 
Nipnct Indians. The territory of the tribe was originally very extensive, 
stretching from the Merrimac to the Connecticut rivers. Maj. Daniel Gookiu, 
then general superintendent of Indian affairs under the Colonial Government, 
visiting the different towns of the praying Indians wilh Eliot, describes this 
plantation in the following manner : — 

" Ilassanamesitt, which means a ' place of small stones' lieth about 38 miles fiom 
BostoD, west southerly ; and is about 2 miles to the eastward of the Nipmuck (Black- 
stone) River, aud near unto the old road to Connecticut. The dimensions of this town 
are about 4 miles square, and so about 8,000 acres ofland. This village is not inferior 
to an}' of the Indian plantations for rich land and plenty of meadow, being well tim- 
bered and watered. It produceth pleat}' of corn, grain aud fruit. It is an apt place 
for the keeping of cattle and swine ; in whicli respect this people are the best stored of 
any Indian town of their size." || 

• Ilass.inanicsitt was the earlier title. t Records of Mass., III., p. 4S. 

X Arcliivcs of MusB., Vol. 30. { History of Sutlou, p. 10. 

11 Mass. Hist. Coll , I., p. 181, 1st Scries. 



THE INDIAN TOWN. 527 



This plantation has a peculiar interest in the ecclesiastical history of New 
England from the fact that here Eliot organized the second of his Christian 
churches among the Indians of the Bay. This organization was cn'ccted, either 
by Eliot himself or through sonic under his direction, Sept. 23, 1(J71. The 
church, though small, was marked for its efficieucy and missionary spirit. It 
embraced among its male members the ruler and chief men of the village. 
The brother of the ruler was its teacher. One-lifth of its members were 
engaged as teachers and preachers in several of the surrounding Indian towns. 
One of its members, Quamapohit, whose English name was James, James 
the Printer, and fiually Jumcs Printer, was one of Eliot's chief assistants iu 
setting up the type of the famous Indian Bilile. Having been educated in the 
school at Cambridge and ap[)renticed to Samuel Greene to learn the printer's 
trade, he was selected as one of the pressmen in the publication of that great 
work. Eliot, in a letter to the Hon. Eobert Boyle of London, 1082, gives 
him honorable mention. In 1709, he and a son of Samuel Greene printed an 
edition of the Psalter in the Indian and English tongues.* Some of his 
descendants were parties to the deed of transfer of the plantation of Hassana- 
misco to the English proprietors. James Printer was himself at one time the 
teacher of the church referred to. During the progress of King Philip's war, 
this Indian church and town suJlered severely ; the people were either killed, 
captured or scattered so that the town and the church were nearly extin- 
guished. So disastrous, indeed, was that war that in 1G98 the commissioners 
reported but " 205 Indians iu all Mass. proper." f 

Still, the Hassanamesilts held their reservation according to its original 
grant for about seventy years. At that time the Provincial Court was 
petitioned by the Indians, as well as by nine English families who had at 
different times contracted with the Indians for farms, and by forty proprietors 
who desired to purchase the plantation, for authority to have the transfer 
made, and that good and lawful titles may be given and received. The 
petition was granted. In the deed of purchase the township is called "Ilassau- 
amisco, in the County of Sullblk, within His Majesties Province of the Massa- 
chusetts Bay, in New Enghmd." The number of acres sold by the Indians was 
7,500, reserving out of the original grant of 8,000 acres what had been privately 
contracted for by the uino English families, thus sanctioning their purchases; 
also the farms already under cultivatiou by the Indians, " together with one 
hundred acres more of land there, to be the present Indian Proprietors', their 
heirs and assigns forever." The purchase-money was "Two Thousand and 
Five Hundred Pounds." This sum was "to be deposited in the hands of 
Trustees appointed and impowered by the Great and General Court to receive 
and lett out the same at interest on good and sufficient security." The interest 
accruing therefrom was to bo paid "the said Indian Proprietors as the Court 
shall from time to time order and direct; together with sundry immunities and 
• Thomas' Ilist. Printing in America, I., pp. 95-98. t N. E. Memorial, p. 392. 



528 TO>VN OF GRAFTON. 

enfranchisements respecting the settlement and fiiipport of the ministry and 
school as in and by the Records of said Court dotii and may appear." Tlierc 
were eight grantors to this deed on the part of the Indians, the lirst of whom 
was Ami Printer, a descendant of the James Printer already lofcired to. 

The forty proprietors represented the towns of Boston, Marli)orough, 
Concord, Stow, Weuham, Sudbury, Hopkinton, Lancaster, Ipswich, Shrews- 
bury and Ilassanamisco. 

This deed was signed by the majority of the Indians at Ilassanamisco, 
March 20, 1727-8 ; but, as cue of the Indians was thou living at "\Vood-.t()ck, 
Conn., his signature was not obtained till April 9, 1728, at which date the 
transaction was completed.* 

The first record in the Proprietors' Book is that of the act relating to the 
support of the church and the school. This requires "That within y" space of 
three years, they build and finish a meeting hous for y" publick worship of God, 
and build a school hous for y° instruction as well of y° Indians as English 
children, aud settle a learned Orthodox Minister to preach y" Gospel to them : 
and constantly maintain and duly support a Minister and Schoolmaster among 
them ; and y' all y"^ above articles shall be without charge to y° Indian 
natives. "t The nine English families were required to bear " one equal part of 
four fifth parts" of the expense incurred in carrying out the foregoing regula- 
tious. 

The first meeting of the Proprietors called for the carrying out of the above 
requirements and for any other necessary business, was held at JIarlborough, 
at the house of Jonathan How, April D, 1728; Edward Goddard, moderator, 
Jonathan Rice, clerk. | At this meeting arrangements were made for a general 
survey of the laud ; to fix the centre of the town ; to locate the site for the 
meeting-house ; to set aside four acres of laud near the meeting-house for a 
burying-placo and traiuing-tield ; to place the school-house upon some part of 
this four acres ; to lay out and plan for the choice of lots by each proprietor ; 
and to provide funds for the future expenses of the proprietary. 

The next meeting was held April 19, at Ilassanamisco, at the house of 
Nehemiah How, at which time, among other transactions, iho centre of the 
town was fixed, but, the site not being suitable for the erection of a meeting- 
house, " a spot of ground lying westerly therefrom upon the northerly end of 
a hill called by y° Indians Assawossachasuck," was viewed, near which spot 
they decided to erect the meeting-house, and around it gradually sprang up the 
religious, educational and business interests at the centre of the town.§ 

The plantation thus begun continued im unincorporated settlement for eight 
years. Wilhiu those years, however, the foundations of the subsequent 
religious, educational and manufacturing interests of the community were laid. 
The meeting-house was so far completed as to bo used for religious services 
aud town meetings in the winter of 1730, or the early spring of 1731. The 

• Troprictora' Records, White's copy, pp. l-l-J-O. t Ibkl, p. 1. JIbid., p. 5. $ Iliid., pp. 5-7. 



INCOHPORATIOX. 529 



school-Iiouso was erected and occii[)ic'd in the autumn of tlic same year ; 
appropriations for the building of both were often made at the same public 
meeting of the proprietors. Mill-privileges were voted, and, with lands 
sufficient for the purpose, appropriated to parties for the election of saw and 
"rist mills, July 9, 1728. Highways were opened and maintained, bridges 
constructed and kept in order, and the general interests of the infant colony 
well established. Its pioneers were men of character, of standing, of enter- 
prise, used to toil and prepared for disappointment. With a wise forecast, 
they early sought a more eliectivo and permanent organization for the planta- 
tion. Within four years of their original purchase they were discussing the 
advisability of petitioning the General Court to be constituted a separate town ; 
and in January, 1733-4, a committee was chosen to apply to the General Court 
for that end. The application was granted by the Legislature, and confirmed 
by the governor, so that in the spring of 1735 the plantation of Hassauamisco 
became a distinct town, under the name of "Grafton." The enabling and 
confirming acts are as follows : — 

ACT OP ISCORPOKATION. 

"In the House of Representatives, April 17, 1735.— Ordered, Thsit Mr. Thomas 
Pratt, one of y" prizablc inhabitants of the new town lately made at y" Plantation called 
Ilassanamisco, in y° county of Worcester, be and hereby is fully authorized and 
impowered to assemble the Freeholders and other qualified voaters to make a choice of 
Town Officers to stand until the anniversary meeting in March next.* 

" J. QciNCT, Speaker." 

Being sent up for concurrence, the act received the endorsement of the 
Governor and Council as follows : 

'■'■ Ordered, That the plantation at Ilassanamisco, in the County of Worcester, as the 
same is hereafter bounded and described, be and hereby is set off and constituted a 
separate and distinct township by the name of Grafton. t 

"In Council, April 18, 1735. 

" J. Belcher, Governor." 

The origin of the new name given the town is somewhat obscure. It is 
known that in the incorporating acts, as they passed the Legislature, the names 
of the towns were frequently omitted, to be supplied afterward by the governor 
or council. This was the fact in this instance. It is probable, however, 
suggests Mr. Howe in his address, that the town is "indebted to Governor 
Belcher for its name. Charles Fitz Roy, Duke of Grafton, a member of the 
Privy Council, and a grandson of Charles II., "J being distinguished in his day, 
and probably having in some way interested himself for the Colony, was 
complimented in this manner. 

• Town Eecords, I., p. I. t Acts and Resolves, 1735. 

X Historical Oration, Rev. E. F. Howe, 1876, p. 21. 



530 TOWN OF GRAFTON. 



In the act of iiicorporjition similar nclvantagcs were reserved for tlie Iiulians, 
respecting church and school privileges free of cost, as held in the original 
purchase by the proprietors. These obligations were given np hv the 
proprietors, and nominally assumed by the town Jan. 23, 1738-9.* The 
securities, however, which legally held the town to this contract, were 
not given till 1773, or thirtj'-fivc years after the obligatioiis were assumed. f 
May 19, 1735, a meeting of the properly qualified persons was called, 
and the town organization was completed by the choice of the appropriate 
officers. The moderator was Thomas Pratt, whoso name appears in the 
enabling act, the clerk Neheraiah IIow.| For some years the town decided, 
either bj' passing over the article or by voting in the negative, not to be 
represented in the General Court, and the business the town had to transact 
wilh the court was done by special committees. The annals of the town for 
the twenty years succeeding the date of incorporation offer little for the 
historian beyond the gradual growth of its material interests, the development 
of manufactures, im|)rovcmeu1s on the farms and dwelling-houses, the eulari^e- 
mcnt of school facilities adapted to the increase of the population, and a 
general prosperity. This quiet advance was interrupted by the French, or 
Queen Anne's war. The town responded to calls for troops, and was repre- 
sented in some of the severest campaigns during that struggle on our 
northern border. In New York, Vermont and Canada the men of the town 
fought and fell. They were in the long and fearful marches through the 
northern wilderness, so that out of a population that did not exceed seven 
hundred and fifty, one-ninth fell either in battle or from disease incurred 
during the nine years' struggle. § The touching brevity of a <\\avy kept during 
those 3'ears in marking the death of a relative who was in the army, iliu.strates 
the nature of the trials then endured. "October y° 24, 1759, then Ebenezcr 
"Wheeler Junr. was left to die on a mountain large and high." || 



CHAPTER II. 

WAR OF THE REVOLUTION — FINANCES AND ENLISTMENTS — COXSTITDTION AND 

BILL OF RIGHTS INSTRUCTIONS TO REPRESENTATIVES — SIIAYS' REBELLION 

WAR OF 1812 PROGRESS OF TOWN IMPROVEMENTS WAR OF REBEL- 
LION — SOLDIERS' MONUMENT — FIRES PUBLIC LIBRARY CENTENNIAL 

MEMORIAL STATISTICS VILLAGES — RAILROADS AND CEMETERIES. 

Scarcely recovered from the shock to its social and material interests of the 
war of 1753-G2, the town was called to enter upon the severer one of the 

• Town Kccoids, I., p. 52. t Ibid., II., pp. 21G, 217. t Ibid., I., pp. 1, 2. 

} Mr. BrigUam's Address, p. 17. 1| Old MSS. iu possession of IIou. J. D. Wheeler. 



KEVOLUTlOXAliY DAYS. 531 



Revolution. The first premonition of the npproacliing contest appears in the 
hearty endorsement by tlio town, of tlic Boston tircuhu- towelling tlie cnconr- 
iigement of liomc manufactures, Dec. 28, 17G7.* 

In January, 1774, the action of Boston, and the towns of the Colony gener- 
ally, upon the tea question, was heartily indorsed, and the town clerk was 
ordered to forward a copy of the proceedings to the committee of correspond- 
ence for Boston. In September of this year Capt. John Goulding was choseu 
delegate to represent the town at the Concord Convention ; money was voted 
to purchase a field-piece and ammunition-; a captain of the gun was chosen 
and provision was made for soldiers that might bo called out. A little later 
the town ordered its assessors, in agreement with the request of the Provincial 
Congress, not to pay over any assessments to the crown. Rags were carefully 
preserved for the manufacture of pajjcr. Meetings wore being constantly 
called to help provide for the present and the prospective emergencies of the 
country. The public act, however, Avhich practically severed the connection 
of the town with the British crown was consummated May 22, 1775, when the 
first town meeting was warned under the authority of the Continental Con- 
gress. From that time all provincial taxes were paid to the order of Congress. 
The most active. measures were taken to furnish men, materials and moneys to 
carry on the vrar. Committees for enlistment, correspondence, and for the 
public safety, which latter meant looking up the Tories, were formed and kept 
in energetic exercise. Within twenty-four hours from the firing upon Concord 
Plains, a company from the town, and under the command of a townsman, 
was marching for Cambridge. So earnest was the response that the minister 
of the town. Rev. Daniel Grosvenor, enlisted among the rank and file of the 
company. Drafts of men, money and supplies were frequent, and were always 
honored. October, 1779, the town voted £1,000, to defray the charges of the 
war. A year later, G,(530 poimds of beef were sent to head-quarters, at a cost 
in the then depreciated currency of £9,G70, being the quota at that time from 
the town. At this date £15 was the pay for a day's labor, and £150 the 
month's salary of a school-teacher. It is not possible to give accurately the 
total of men, money and supplies which the town furnished during the long 
and sanguinary struggle for independence. ]Men from Grafton was scattered 
among regiments raised in other sections of the country ; companies ofHcered by 
Grafton citizens embraced men from other towns ; to silt carefully these facts so 
as to pronounce decidedly upon them is hardly possible. Roughly summing up 
the enlistments during this prolonged contest, however, there were found to bo 
four or more companies recruited wholly or in part from the town, together with 
contributions of clothing, l)rcadstuffs and money, the aggregate of which cannot 
be given ; and this with a populatiou of but liltlc more than eight hundred and 
fifty souls. 

In 1780, the town, after long and earnest discussion, adopted the Constitution 

• Town Records, II., p. 166. 



532 TOWN OF CxRAFTOX. 



and Rill of Eights foi- liic new governmont of the Co mm on wealth ; and in the 
autumn of the same year cast its first vote for John Hancock, governor, under 
that Constitution. The iiist representatives sent to the General Court under 
the new regime were instructed with careful minuteness, and enjoined at their 
political peril not to disoI)cy orders. The annexed extract is a specimen of 
such instructions ; the}' were given to the one who represented the town in 
1783: — 

" Sir : — You arc hereby iiistnicteil as follows, viz, First, that you shall not on any 
consideration give your assent or consent to any act tbat shall give the most trifling 
com|)ensalion or restitution ii those styled Loialcst, ailliering to the cause of Great 
Britain, or that shall permit them ever to return to live in this State. That}ou shall not 
give your assent or couscnt to any ofBceror soldier for any pay any otherwise than accord- 
ing to contract. And that jou will obcj' such and such instructions as said town shall 
see cause to give you from time to time. Voted, That y° town further instruct said 
iJepresentalive that he constantly attend said Court while sitting.".* 

Instructions similar to this for vigor and terseness were frequent. The 
commercial results of the Revolutionary war upon the town were very depress- 
ing. With a depreciated currency, one dollar of which rated at one-sixtieth 
of a hard dollar; with business univei'sally at a low ebb: with so large a deple- 
tion of the able-bodied men of the country through war; with no inconsider- 
able dissatisfaction among many of the people at the results of the Revolution, 
it was not strange that there was a period immediately after the close of the 
war when the town sufl'eied in all her general interests. A heavy war debt 
made necessary heavy taxes; this produced, in some, dissensions and disloyal 
conduct. The famous but short-lived Shays Rebellion was an outgrowth of 
this state of things. Some of the friends of that rebellion were citizens of the 
town. Yet in a comparatively few 3'ears business began to revive ; more acres 
were cultivated ; manufactures started up with new vigor, and the old pros- 
perity gradually came back. In December, 1788, the town cast its vote for 
representative to the first Congress mider the Constitution, and for Presidential 
electors. 

The tirst quarter of (he present century gives but little of historic moment. 
The war of 1812 made its drafts upon the town militia, and in the summer of 
1807 bounties were voted for volunteers to meet the town's quota under the 
call of the President for troops. There was a vigorous and enlarged prosecu- 
tion of the various manufactures throughout the town during these twcnty-fivo 
years, and such as placed it among the first towns in the county, especially in 
the leather and shoe productions. From 1825 to 1850, the height of the man- 
ufacturing interest was reached. In 1831, the first map of the town was pub- 
lished, from actual survej' and drafting, by Charles Brigham, Esq. This map 
is now somewhat rare, but it is one of the most accurate that has been pub- 

* Towu Records, III , pp. 88, 8Q. 



LOCAL IMPROVEMENTS. 533 

lished. Ill 1833, the town inaugunitecl the custom, which h.is held ever since, 
of riiigin<; tlic bells ut noon, and at nine p. m. The piescnt system of taking 
care of the poor of tlio town was introduced in 1831, when a farm was pur- 
chased for that purpose. This was located upon Brii^ham Hill, a little west of 
the country-seat of the Hon. "William Ihigham. The farm was sold after a 
few years for $1,500, hut the system was continued, and the present town 
farm was bought Sept. 7, 1818, for $1,000. This farm contains about two 
hundred and thirteen acres, and is situated upon the Worcester road, near the 
bounds of Millbury and Grafton. 

The leadinf event of 1835 was the Centennial celebration of the town, when 
an historical oration, embracing the history of the place for that time, was 
delivered by Hon. William Brigham. The address is an able and carefully 
prepared one, and is authority for the period which it covers. 

From 1839 to 1850, some very important movements in the educational 
facilities of the town occurred, and such as largely influenced in the adop- 
tion of its present general school system. In sympathy with these intel- 
lectual advantages were those pioneers of the existing "Free Public Library," 
the "Lyceum," established Oct. 22, 1846, and the "Agricultural Lilirary," 
organized September, 1857. These libraries were subsequently transferred, 
by vote of their stocUholders, to the public library. During the years 1843 
and 1844 the beautiful park at the centre of the town was graded, fenced 
and planted with trees. The whole work was the result of private enter- 
prise, the successful completion of which was largely due to the efforts of 
one of the energetic citizens of the town, Calvin Forbush. The park 
itself is situated near the centre of the original grant of four acres for the 
erection of a meeting-house, &c., and on the northern face of the Indian 
" Assawossachasuck." It is in the general form of an ellipse, having its greater 
diameter north and south. Along this diameter runs the principal walk, with 
smaller paths entering at different points on the eastern and western sides. 
The views from this park, both north and west, are among the most charm- 
ing in the town. 

The present fire department was organized in 1852, by the purchase of three 
fire-enirines, with apparatus, and the erection of three houses for the use of the 
department, at a cost of $5,232. These engines are located at Faruums- 
ville,tho Centre, and New England Village. In 1855, the telegraph was intro- 
duced, and two lines connect the town with the continent and the world. 

At the annual meeting in March, 18G1, Charles Brigham, Esq., introduced a 
motion looking to the establishment of a free public library. The motion was 
cordially sustained, and a committee appointed to advise upon and propose 
measures for carrying out the motion. Meanwhile the war of the Rebellion 
broke out, every energy was given to the nation's peril, and the establishment 
of the library was deferred for a few years. 

A condensed summary of the part which the town took in that memorable 



534 TOWN OF GRAFTON. 

struggle presents the following facts: On the morning of the 19th of April, 
18G1, the lives of Massachusetts soldiers ■were taken, as they were passing 
through Baltimore, on their way to defend the capital of the nation from 
traitors. On the afternoon of the following day the town hall was packed by 
earnest men to devise means for aiding the government in this emergency. 
The chairman of the board of selectmen, Hon. J. D. "VVhceler, called the 
meeting to order. Charles Brigham, Esq. , was chosen to preside. Eev. W. 
G. Scandlin* offered prayer. A business committee was chosen. Wliile out 
to prepare their report, Mr. Benjamin Smith, a soldier of the Revolution, 
ninety-eight years old, took a scat u|)on the i)latform, amid prolonged cheers. 
The report of the committee, for substance, pledged the property and lives of 
the citizens of the town for the defence of "our country"; encouraged the 
organization and drilling of a company ready at the call of the President; 
recommended legal measures for the appropriation of four thousand dollars 
towards such an organization ; provided for the enlistment of men : and 
adjoui'ued for a subsequent meeting to legalize their action at this improm[)tu 
rally. On the 29th, that meeting was held. The four thousand dollars were 
appropriated. "Each member was to icceive one dollar a day while drilling." 
A company was formed, which was sent to "Camp Scott," in Worcester, 
and was company G, of the fifteenth regiment Massachusetts volunteers, for 
three years' service. A committee of thirteen was chosen from different parts 
of the town, who, with the selectmen, were to superintend war matters during 
the Rebellion. 

Grafton furnished three hundred and ninety-nine men for the war, a surplus 
of fort3'-seven over and above all demands. Few were commissioned officers. 
The whole amount raised and expended by the town for war purposes, exclu- 
sive of State aid, was thirty-nine thousand three hundtcd and fifty dollars and 
twenty-three cents. The aggregate expended by the town during the war for 
State aid to soldiers' families, and repaid by the Commonwealth, was twenty- 
eight thousand five hundred and thirty dollars and eighty-six cents. In addi- 
tion to these amounts, the Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Society raised one thousand 
and twenty-five dollars, which were expended for muler-clothing and other 
comforts for the soldiers at the front ; besides knitting and sending to the sol- 
diers between two and three hundred pairs of socks. Many other contribu- 
tions were made by citizens for the same piii-pose.f 

The town was re|)iesenled in twenty difi'orent regiments of infantry, the 
fourth cavalry, the third battalion of ritles, the first and second heavy artillery, 
the veteran reserve corps, the regular army, and the navy. Of the entire 
quota which the town furnished during the Rebellion, more than one-sixth died 
in the service of their country. The memory of those patriot dead has been 
appropriately' preserved by the erection of a Itcautifnl marble monument at the 

*Mr. Scandlin w.as olrctcd cliaplain of tln' liftci'iitli ii'Kinieiit Mass. vols. 
tScliouler's Hist, of JIass. iu the Civil \\m; II., pp. (;3()-31. 



SOLDIERS' MONUMENT. 535 

north-eastern corner of the public park. It is of Italian marhlc, thirty feet in 
height, resting on a base of granite, and enclosed with a substantial iron fence 
upon a granite curbing. Upon the four sides of the monument, at the base, 

are the inscriptions : — 

Erected by the Town, 1807, 
In memory of ouu Patriot Dead. 

" We died for our Country, 
For Liberty, Loyalty, and Law." 

On the four sides of the die are inscribed the names of the fifty-nine soldiers 
of Grafton, who died in their country's service, without distinction of rank or 
regiment. The die is surmounted with a graceful shaft, bearing at tlic top an 
urn wreathed with the Amcricnn flag. It was designed by E. Boyden & Son, 
"Worcester, and executed by Patrick Nugent of the same city, at a cost to the 
town of five thousand dolhirs. On tlie I2th of October, 18(J7, this monument 
was dedicated with appropriate exercises in the presence of distinguished gen-' 
tlemen from abroad, and of a large nimiber of the citizens of the town. The 
weather was very unpropitious, but the attendance was full and enthusiastic. 
Among the prominent gentlemen present were: Gov. Bullock and stafl', Maj. 
Gen. Dcvens, Brig. Gens. A. B. U. Sprague and A. A. Goodell. Rev. W. G. 
Scandlin was president of the day, and Rev. G. S. Ball of Upton, orator. 
Addresses were made by Gen. Devens, first colonel of the fifteenth regiment, 
company G of which was composed almost entirely of Grafton men. In his 
closing words he said : "No nobler olTering was ever made than that which 
AVorcester County gave in this regiment; and from a careful examination of a 
record of all the regiments, tried by the bloody list of the lost i i battle, the 
fifteenth has the longest list of fallen heroes." Gov. Bullock referred to the 
historic fact that this town was represented in the fifteenth regiment in the 
Continental army, and in the fiftceutii in the war of the Rebellion ; and that no 
other town appears to have contributed to the late war a larger proportion of 
its treasure and its men.* 

Resuming the general order of events, interrupted by the foregoing sketch 
of Grafton in the Rebellion, the centre of the town is found to have sufl"crcd 
severely from fire. On the morning of Sept. 11, 1SG2, the large building 
known as Warren's Block, together with the Unitarian Meeting-Honse and 
adjacent buildings, was completely destroyed by fire. The town clerk's office 
was in the second story of the block, and was destroyed with all its contents, 
except the records, which were in the safe, and came out uninjured. For a 
little more than one year, the town transacted its business in the basement of 
the West Church, when in January, 18G1, the present hall and attached offices 
were leased for a term of twenty years, and the town records removed thereto. 
These public ofBces arc in Warren's Brick Block, and situated on the north 
side of the public park. The town hall also contains the Public Library. 

'Worcester "Daily Si)y," Oct. 14, 18G7. 



536 TOWN OF GRAFTON. 



Ill the month of November, 18GG, Joseph Lelaiul, Esq., a native and cilizcn 
of the town, addressed a note to the selectmen, offering to appropriate one 
thousand dollars towards the founding of a " Free Public Lii)rary and Reading 
Room," if the town would contribute an equal amount, so as to place the 
librar}' on a sure footing. The town gratefully accepted the offer, complied 
with its conditions, and (he library was opened for the delivery of books. April 
24, 18G7. This institution is under the care of a board of trust, elected 
annually. It is open to any inhabitant of the town of suitable age to appre- 
ciate its advantages. It is kept up by annual appropriations, and contains 
3, GDI volumes. The total cost is $4,000. 

In 1871, projects were laid before the town for uniting the Centre Village 
with the Boston and Albany Railroad, at some point iiear Iho present station 
on that road, and th« town of Millbur3% These were fully and earnestly dis- 
cussed, and finall}' dismissed. 

In the autumn of that year, the streets at the centre of the town were first 
lighted. The enterprise, originally and mainly a private one, is known as the 
Street-Light Association. 

In (he autumn of 1873, the Grafton Centre Railroad was chartered. This is 
a narrow-gauge, and connects the centre with the Grafton Station, on the 
Boston and Albany Railroad. The total cost of its construclion, including 
road and equipment, was $43,328.59. It was opened for travel, Aug. 20, 
1874. 

The Centennial of our national histoi'y was observed July 4, 187G. An 
ap[)r()priation was made for that purpose, and a committee, of which George 
K. Nichols, Esq., was chairman, chosen to prepare a programme for the day. 
Its chief features were an ora(ion, reviewing (he history of (he town, by Rev. 
E. Frank Howe, a native of the place ; national odes sung by the Grafton 
Glee Club; music by the Grafton Cornet Dand ; a public dinner in a mammoth 
Yale tent pitched upon the park ; patriotic toasts of a general as well as a 
more local interest, responded to by (ho town's invited guests iiud former citi- 
zens of the place. 

Since that date, no event, embracing the interests of (he town, of sufficient 
importance to have place given it in the history has occurred. 

The present valiiadon of the town is $1,80G,553; (he population, 4,442 ; 
number of polls, 980. The area is somewhat more than 13,600 acres. This 
increase of the town plot over the original purchase arises from the annexation 
of a gore of land, lying on the borders of Worcester, June 14, 1823 ; a part of 
Shrewsbury, annexed March 3, 182G; and a i)art of Sutton, March 3, 1842. 
The population, and so the business of the town, are not collected in one 
village at the centre, but scattered into four different villages ; viz., the Centre, 
or the site of (he original settlement; New England Village, two miles nor(h, 
and near (he line of the IJoston and Albany Railroad ; Saundersvillc, two miles 
south, and lying on (he line of the rrovidence and Worcester Railroad; Far- 



OLD JIEETING-IIOUSE. 537 

numsville, about the same distance from the Centre, and a little less than that 
to the oast of Sauudcrsvillc, also on the Providence and Worcester Railroad. 

There arc four cemeteries in (he town, located as follows: — The "Old 
Buryinii Ground," so staled, situated at the base of the hill upon which the 
Centre Village is located, and a little north of west therefrom. In this enclos- 
ure the oldest settlers are buried, among whom is the mother of the first 
white child born here. "A few years since, Capt. Benjamin Kingsbury, in the 
spirit of 'Old Mortality,' cleared off the old tombstone, and learned from its 
inscription that Mrs. Martha Willard, who was the wife of Maj. Joseph 
Willard, one of the nine English families, was mother of the first white child 
born in town ; she died June 3d, 1794, in the one hundredth year of her age, 
leaving 12 children, 90 grandchildren, 22G great-grandchildren, and 53 of the 
fifth generation."* The Riverside Cemetery, a beautiful retreat, located west 
of the Centre Village, upon the banks of the Quiusigamond, and distant thi-ee- 
quarters of a mile ; Pine Grove Cemetery, a little to the north-east of New 
England Village ; and the cemetery at Farnumsville, a short distance south of 
(hat village, and near (he banks of the Blackstone. There is, also, still extant 
an old Indian burying-grouud upon the farm now owned by G. F. Jourdan. 



CHAPTER III. 

RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS — ORIGINAL CHURCH — BAPTIST CHURCHES — METHOD- 
IST CnUKCH CATHOLIC AND EPISCOPAL CHURCHES EDUCATIONAL GROWTH 

MANUFACTURES COMMERCIAL INTERESTS MILLS PROFESSIONAL MEN 

LOCAL INSTITUTIONS POLITICAL HISTORV BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. 

The original deed of purchase from the Indians required the building of a 
meeting-house within three years, and the settling of a " learned Orthodox 
minister." Within one month from the date of signing the deed of purchase, 
the proprietors had laid out the "Meeting-House Lot." In November, 1870, 
the mccting-house was so far completed as to be used for preaching. From 
the beginning of the plantation, there was evidently provision made from time 
to time for the preaching of the gospel, but no ecclesiastical organization was 
effected, nor was a minister settled, until 1731. This first meeting-house stood 
a little south of the centre of the present park. It was a plain structure ; in 
its earlier form was furnished with the high-backed, box-seated pews, the high 
pulpit and sounding-board. As the Indians were to have preaching free, they 
were seated, after long and repeated discussions of the question, near the 
cutrauce-ways. Subsequently two porches were added at these entrances, one 

• Jtr. Howe's Oratiou, yt. 12. 



538 TOAVX OF GRAFTON. 



and a half stories high. This house was rcmovcil, in 1832, a few rods west of 
its first site, and is now used for stores, under the name of the "Arcade." 
The two porches have been made into a dwelling-house, and are now at the 
foot of Millbury Street. 

The First Church of Christ was organized Dec. 28, 1731 ; and on the fol- 
lowing day the first pastor was settled. This was Rev. Solomon I'rcnticc. 
His salary was £100, "as money now passes from man to man," together with 
the use of extensive tillage, wood and meadow-lands. Mr. Prentice was an 
able preacher, a graduate of Harvard, and less rigid in his methods of Christian 
work than some of his brethren. It is reported that ho invited Kov. George 
WhitcQeld into his pulpit, which so displeased some of his people as ultimately 
to have resulted in his dismission. The Bible from which he read in his pulpit 
had an interesting history. It was a royal quarto, printed in 1707, with Stern- 
hold and Hopkins' edition of the Psalms at the end. Its covers were of oak, 
one-half inch thick, encased with stamped leather, and held by largo embossed 
clasps. This Bil)lo was originally the property of Capt. Nathiiniel Sartell, 
whose daughter Sarah was the wife of Mr. Prentice. The cajjtain was once 
cast away at sea ; this Bil)le was on board ; a note of his condition was made 
on its fly-leaf, when he hastily wrapped it up, put it in a bai-rel, and, having 
headed it up as well as ho was able, threw it overboard. The barrel and book 
were recovered, and upon the marriage of the daughter was presented to her 
as a wedding gift. 

The next pastor was Aaron Hutchinson. He was of large abilities, of unique 
and somewhat coarse characteristics. Tradition says that so tenacious was his 
memory that he claimed the ability to rewrite the whole of the New Testament 
if it were lost. 

Daniel Grosvcnor was the third pastor. He volunteered as a private in the 
first company that left the town for Cambridge, Ai)ril 19, 1775. The succeed- 
ing pastors in order of settlement are : John Miles, Moses C. Scarlcs, John 
Wilde, Thomas C. Biscoc, John II. Windsor.* 

The present niccting-house connected with this religious organization, now 
kuown as the Evangelical Congregational Church, was dedicated Dec. 4, 1833, 
and sbmds within a few rods of the spot on which the old meeting-house was 
erected, and on the west side of the puijlic park. 

Following in the oi'der of organization was the First Baptist Churcii, Jiuie 
17, 17()7. This had a somewhat checkered history, and was idlimatcly 
disfellowshipped by the Warren Association, of which it was a member, at their 
annual meeting in 1788. The present First Baptist Church was organized 
June 20, 1800. The pastors, in order of settlement, arc : Revs. Josiah Goddard, 
Thomas Barrett, Otis Converse, John Jennings, Calvin Newton, B. A. Edwards, 
D. L. McGcar, Joseph Smith, J. M. Chick, Gilbert Robbins, DcForest Salford, 
A. C. Ilussey. 

* Church Keciirds, seriatim. 



LATER DENOMINATIONS. 539 

The first mccting-house was erected on Pleasant Street, on the hanlis of the 
Quinsigumond River. The i)rescnt house of worship was dedicated at the 
close of 1830, and is situated upon the east side of the public square.* 

Aug. 5, 1832, "A church was regularly gathered from the First Congrega- 
tional Society, called the Congregational Church." f This is the Unitarian 
Church. Its pastors are Revs. E. B. Hall, Rufus A. Johnson, Cazueau 
Palfrey, E. B. Willson, Thomas W. Brown, William G. Scaudlin, C. II. 
Tindell and W. S. Burton. The first meeting-house of this society was dedi- 
cated May 9, 1832, and was burned Sept. 11, 18G2. The present house of 
worship was dedicated Jan. 7, 1864, and is situated upon the north side of 
the public square. 

The Second Baptist Church is located at New England Village, and was organ- 
ized Nov. 9, 1836. The following is a list of its pastors : Revs. ]\iiner G. Clark, 
"William C. Richards, Alfred Pinncy, "William Leverett, Joseph M. Rockwood, 
J. D. E. Joues, Lucius M. Sargent. The house of worship is situated at the 
centre of the village. 

A INIethodist Episcopal Church was oi'ganized at New England Village, in the 
year 1842. It was reorganized April 12, 1866. Its house of worship is a 
little west of that of the Second Baptist Church. 

The Freewill Baptist Church was recognized at Saundersville, Dec. 29, 
1839. It was reorganized at Farnumsvillc, May 5, 1862. Among its pastors 
are : Revs. B. D. Peck, G. T. Fay, D.D., Joseph Whittemore, Joseph Thayer, 
B. F. Pritchard, M. W. Burlingame, G. W. Wallace, D. C. Wheeler, A. M. 
Freeman, Francis Reed, and A. J. Eastman. The meeting-house is at Far- 
numsvillc. 

St. Philip's Roman Catholic Church was commenced July, 18.50, and dedi- 
cated the following year. The present pastor is the Rev. A. M. Barrett, D.D. 

A second INIethodist Episcopal Church was established at the centre villa"-e, 
April 1, 1858. The preachers in charge were Revs. W. F. Mallalicu, D. D., 
and E. W. Virgin. This society was worshipping in the town hall at the lime 
it was burnt iu 1862, since which date the orgaui/jatiou has not been main- 
tained. 

The list of the religious institutions of the town is completed by the organ- 
ization of the Congregational Church at Saundersville, April 18, 1860, its 
pastors being Revs. William Miller, Simeon Waters, James E. Hall, A. J. 
Bates, and H. JI. Stone. The house of worship is in a commodious hall in 
Saunders' brick block. 

From the settlement of Hassanamisco until the first years of the present 
century the town was the parish, and the support of the gospel was by public 
taxation. AVithin the first fifty years, however, a protest was presented against 
indiscriminate taxation for this purpose, by those of the Baptist denomination, 

• Rev. A. C. Hiisspy, Hist. First Baptist Cliurcb, 1876. . 
t Eev. E. B. Willsou's Sermon, 1840, p. 29. 



540 TOWN OF GEAFTOX. 

and this town by public action exempted all such from the list, Feb. 6, 
177G. 

The school and the church have gone hand in hand from the first settlement of 
the place. In the deed of purchase from the Indians the court rctjuircd the 
proprietors to provide for the erection of a school-house within three years, 
and for the free schooling of the Indian children ; the latter proviso was also 
inserted in the act of incorporation seven years later. The " forty proprietors 
to pay each a forty-ninth part," the nine English families, each a like propor- 
tion, "to build a school-house, and to set apart 20 acres for said school 
forever."* This plot of 20 acres — actually there were 21 acres — was laid out 
in five lots and in the spring of 1783 sold for £250 45. 3d. The proceeds were 
to be invested for school purposes. 

The first school-house was built in 1731 ; its dimensions were "21 ft. long, 
16 ft. wide, and 7 ft. between joynts." This house stood on the east side of 
the public square ; it was removed in 1832, and is now the wood-shed of Mr. 
John Whitney. 

Up to 1737, so for as can be ascertained, but one school was kept in the 
town. In 1754 school privileges were enjoyed in five diflercnt parts of 
the town. The title given was the "moving school," and the term used 
for districting the town was "squadroned." Each school district was a 
squadron. 

Until 1829 there seems to have been only a winter school ; from that time 
school was taught both in the summer and winter. The division by districts 
which now holds was adopted essentially in 1831, when the town was laid out, 
by a committee chosen for that purpose, into nine districts. 

The attempt to establish a high school was for years unsuccessful ; ctl'orts to 
build a house and organize such a school, frequently came before the town and 
were as often defeated. The first attempt in this direction was made at the 
annual meeting in 1839, but it was not till 1847 that any vote favorable for 
this end could be secured. At that time a report from a special committee 
advocating the erection of a high school building was adopted. At an 
adjourned meeting the vote was reconsidered and rejected. In 1849 the friends 
of a higher education, resolving that the town should have such a sthool, 
formed themselves into a joint stock company by the name of the "Iligii 
School Association," were incorporated 1850, erected a commodious l)uilding 
for the school, and thus the school began. The town rented this building and 
the school was irregularly kept there till 18C7, when it was purchased of the 
association l)y the town for $3,500. In 1872 a thorough four years' classical 
and English course was adopted, and has been worked with admirable success. 
This course has lately been modified. A grammar school was estalilished in 
1871, designed to give a more careful preparation for the high school course 
then had previously been offered. This school has recently been abolished. 

* ProviuciaJ Laws, 1727, p. 484. 



LEATHER IMANUFACTUJIE. 541 

In 18G9 the town voted to ubolish the district, and to adopt the town system 
of schools. 

Tho educational system of the town now embniccs ten districts, each one 
provided with a convenient and well-fiirnisiicd school l)uilding. The high 
school is at the centre of the town ; it has philosophical and scicntilic apparatus 
wortli $900, two-thirds of which was from private subscription, the remainder 
from the town ; it has also a tine piano for the use of its pupils. Its graduates 
nnml)er thirty-one. The aggregate value of the school property of the towu 
is $30,000. 

Tliough es^iecially an agricultural section, Grafton, both from tho affluence 
of its water privileges and the enterprise of its early settlers, soon developed 
important manufiicturcs. The saw and grist mills were coeval with the first 
development of the soil. Tradition states that the Indians had their corn 
ground without cost to themselves. There is still to be seen upon Brigham 
Hill a rock hollowed out, in which the Hassanamiscoes pounded their corn, the 
pioneer mill of the plantation. The chief manufactures are leather, woolen 
and cotton cloth, and edge tools. 

Of these the leather manufacture is the first. Soon after the organization of 
the town the tanning and currying business was introduced. Four tanneries 
and currying-shops were opened in difi'ereut parts of the town. One was 
established in what is now Saundersville, by Jonas Brown ; another but 
a short distance from this one, by David Leland ; a third by Capt. John 
Goulding, in what is now called the Farms ; and a fourth at the Centre, by 
Moses Harrington. As early as 1754 a sealer of leather was among the town 
officers. The pioneer, probablj^ of the subsequent extensive shoe manufacture 
in the town was Eoyal Keith. Having served his apprenticeship to the trade, 
he first commenced making shoes on his own account in Grafton, 1790, taking 
them to Boston and Providence for sale. Hence arose the term "sale shoes," 
as distinct from "custom-made."* Mr. Keith subsequently became quite 
wealthy, and the owner of lai-ge landed estates in the town. Several large 
and enterprising manufacturers link that early day with the present, among 
whom were the Woods, Stowe, Kimball, "Warren, Aldrich and others. The 
existing firms in the boot and shoe manufacture are J. W. Slocomb & Son, 
established 1813; Allen & Newton, successors to Allen & Flagg, established 
1842, — both these firms are at the Centre Village; J. S. Nelson & Sou, 
established 1848, — this house is at New England Village. 

The curriers and leather dealers are at the Centre Village. They are : L. 
W. Dodge & Son (the senior partner having been in the business since 1837) ; 
A. & A. Bigelow (this iirm succeed to a business which was established by 
the brothers Edward and Abram Bigelow, and carried on, either as the manu- 
facturing of leather or of shoes, since 1832). G. W. Hastings has been 

• Annals of Keith Family, p. 12. 



542 TOWX OF GRAFTOX. 



engaged in the manufacture of black-ball and wax since 1839. Thorndikc 
Leonard inaniifactnrcs edge blacking. 

The niai)ufacturc of woolen, linen and cotton cloths dates from the opening 
of the present century. There are traces of carding mills, of the manufacture of 
woolens, and establishments for the coloring of woolens, in 1800. The centres 
of these manufactures are New England Village, Ccnterville, Saundersville, 
Fishervillo and Faruumsvillc. 

The manufacture began at New England Village. In 1826 the "New 
England Manufacturing Company" were turning out linens. It was from this 
company that the village took its name. After some years of successful 
business, cotton machinery was put in, and operated by the Grafton Jlills 
Company till 1875. Since that date the mills have been closed for the manu- 
facture of that staple commodity. 

The Farnumsville Mills were, as most of the mills in the town, at first for 
the manufacture of woolen fiibrics, i)ut subsequently and for years have manu- 
factured cotton cloth. They were erected the first part of this century. At 
two different times the buildings have been burned. The original portion of 
the present mills was erected 1845 ; extensive additions were made in 187G. 
They have a capacity of two hundred looms, are situated at Farnumsville, on 
the Blackstone River ; manufacture print-cloths. The firm is Peter Simpson, 
Jr., Jlillbur^s and William Andrews, Woonsockct. 

The Fisher Mills were erected 1832, and arc located at the union of the 
Quinsigamond and Blackstone rivers. They have a capacity of one hundred 
and sixty looms; manufacture fancy cloths. The firm is Erastus Fisher & 
Sons. The senior partner has been connected with the mills since 1845. 

The Saundersville Cotton Mills were erected 1850. They are on the Black- 
stone River; have a working power of two hundred and fifty-four looms; 
manufacture print-cloths and sateens. This is a corporation of which Esek 
Saunders, Esq., is the chief member. These mills stand on the general site of 
one of the early scythe manufactories. 

The Quaker Cotton Mills are connected in locality with the first mill- 
privilege that was operated in the town. First came the saw and grist mill, 
then the woolen-mill, and last the cotton-mill. For several years the cotton 
manufiictnre was carried on by L. S. Pratt & Co. In 1877 the establishment 
was purchased by E. W. Ilolbrook, New York, and is run by C. L. Pratt, 
agent. A light goods known as Quaker sheetings is the cloth manufactured ; 
the capacity sixty-four looms. This mill furnished the cloth with which the 
Coliseum, at the Peace Jubilee, was decorated. The manufiuture of edge- 
tools, while limited in variety, was among the very first in the town. Scythes 
were manufactured at what is now New England and Saunders villages 
upwards of one hundred and twenty-five years ago. It was an important and 
lucrative branch of business, and the scythe had a wide reputation. There is 
a manufactory of shoe-tools at New England Village, carried on by Sumner 



LOCAL NOTES. 543 



Packiird & Son. Tliis ontcrpriso diitos from 183.3 ; (he senior member of the 
firm lias been conneetod with it since 1836. 

The Lower Cotton-Mill, with its water privileoje, :it New England Villasre, 
w;is purchased in 1878, and is now used for the manufacture of emery, under 
the title of the "Washington Mills Emery iNIauufacturing Company," Frederick 
L. Ames, president, B. L. Crocker, treasurer. 

The clock manufacture was introduced sometime in the last half of the 
previous century, by Simeon Willard, a sou of LkMijamin, one of the original 
proprietors. The style was the high-cased eight-day clock. It had a wide 
reputation in its day. There are specimens now in excellent running order 
which have ticked the minutes for more than a century. 

Durfce, Jennings & Co., at New England Village, manufacture picture- 
frames under the title of the " Grafton Copying House." 

Samuel Knowlton has a saw-mill and bo.v-shop a little east of New England 
Village. 

There are two grist-mills, situated in the north and south parts of the town. 

At the Centre Village the physicians are : Thomas F. Griggs, F. A. Jewctt, 
and W. O. Harvey ; the last is a homoeopathist. 

The lawyers arc : John Mcllvino iind D. B. Hubbard. 

W. E. Rice, INLD., at New England Village. 

Ford Kcndrick, M.D., at Saundersville. 

At Farnumsviilc the physicians arc W. B. Maxwell and T. A. Wilmot. Dr. 
E. F. Brackclt is prominent as a dentist. 

The banks are all at the centre of the town. The Grafton National Bank, 
established 18G5, and successor to the Grafton Bank, established 1854. 
Jonathan D. "Wheeler, president ; Henry F. Wing, cashier. 

The Grafton Savings Bank, established 18G9. George K. Nichols, presi- 
dent ; Henry F. Wing, treasurer. 

The First National Bank of Grafton, established 18G4. George F. Slocomb, 
president; A. A. Ballon, cashier. 

The Grafton and Worcester Express, White's Express ; propiietor, John B. 
White; established 1853. 

AVestern Union Telegraph Office, at the Centre ; J. H. Wood, agent. 

Among the other local institutions are the "Franklin Lodge of F. & A. 
Masons," established 1852; the Grafton Farmers' Club, organized ISGO ; 
Spragiie Post 24, G. A. R., organized 18G6 ; the Reform Club, organized 
June 2, 187G ; and a lodge of " Good Templars," organized Feb. 15, 1866. 

The town was represented in several of the conventions preliminary to the 
disruption with England ; in those which preceded the adoption, by the thir- 
teen States, of the Constitution; and in many of the important assemblings' 
of the people which resulted in the original Constitution of the Commonwealth. 
The town sent no representative to the General Court until 1755 ; the first one 
elected was Ephraim Sherman, 1755-6. There have been one hundred and 



544 TOWN OF GRAFTOX. 



one in all. Five Senators have gone from this town to the State legislature. 
In their order they arc : lions. Samuel Wood, Edward Bigclow, A. M. Bige- 
low, Jonathan D. Wheeler, John II. Wood. In addition tn these, several who 
were natives of Grafton have filled leading places in political life from other towns. 

From the men and families that have won honorahle distinction in the town, 
the State and nation, but a few only can ba selected. Beginning with the 
earliest records of the plantation, are Thomas Pratt, moderator of the first 
meeting of the proprietors ; cue of them ; appears in the enabling act of town 
incorporation ; often chosen to town offices. 

Benjamin Willard, one of the forty proprietors from Boston, had several 
sons, all more or less active in public atTairs ; especially noted for the manu- 
facture of clocks. 

Joseph ^lerriam, one of the original proprietors, from Concord, town treas- 
urer for many years, deacon of the First Church for a long time. His successor 
in both offices was his sou Joseph. Of this family, for four generations, the 
first born was Joseph, and of these three have been successively deacons of the 
same church. The descendants of the first Joseph still occupy their ancestral 
f;um, in what is known as the Merriam district. 

Nathaniel Sherman, a leader in town aflairs ; captain of a company from the 
town in the Revolutionary war; in 1778, represented the town at the General 
Court. 

Royal Keith, 1790, pioneer of the "sale shoe" trade; acquired large estate ; 
purchased land upon what has therefore been called Keith Iliil, where some of 
his descendants now live. 

Robert B. Thomas, author and editor of the renowned " Old Farmers' Alma- 
nac," was born here, April 24, 17G6. 

Capt. Samuel Warren, prominent in earlier town affairs ; his descendants 
numerous ; some now living in town. 

Capt. John Goulding ; influential iu early affairs of the town ; delegate to 
the Concord Convention; a major in 1775; a colonel iu the Revolutionary 
army iu 1776; descendants to some extent yet living here. One is a leading 
lawyer iu Worcester. 

Dr. Joseph Wood ; town clerk for many years ; held other important town 
offices ; reprcscutcd the town at General Court ; delegate to ratify the Cousli- 
tulion of the State, 1780; descendants have been iuflucntial in the town. 

Lieut. Joseph Bruce ; a man whom the town frequently honored ; a grand- 
son, Joseph Bruce, Esq., now living at a ripe old age, has held many town 
offices ; represeutative to the General Court; county commissioner. 

Charles Prentice, grandson of Rev. Solomon Prentice ; efficient iu town 
business ; clerk of the town seventeen years, and till his death iu 1853. 

Jonathan Wheeler, Esq. ; town clerk several years; representative to Gen- 
eral Court, 1828; influential iu many offices to which he was chosen iu tho 
town ; descendants active iu town matters since. 



PROMINENT CITIZENS. 545 

C:ipt. Cliarles Brigbain, prominent in earlier history of the town. A son, 
Hon. William Drinfham, was a lawyer in Boston ; delivered an historical ora- 
tion at the town's Centennial, 1835. Another son. Col. Charles Brigham, 
eonstrnctcd the first published map of the town, from personal survey ; prom- 
inent in town matters ; presided at first war meeting of the town, April 20, 
l«l)l. 

Philip Wins, for a great man}' _years one of the assessors of the town, held 
several public otBces ; descendants still living in town. One of his sons, Henry 
F. Wiu'JT, has held the position of cashier in the "Old Grafton" and in the 
"Grafton National Bank" for fifteen years ; was also assistant assessor U. S. 
revenue for eight years ; held several town offices. 

Hon. Edward Bigelow, leading currier, boot and shoe manufacturer; prom- 
inent in town affairs ; Senator and delegate to revise State Constitution, in 
1853. 

Hon. A. M. Bigelow held many offices of trust in town; leading leather 
manufacturer; elected to State Senate twice; chairman of the war committee 
of the town during the Rebellion ; died just before entering upon second Sen- 
atorial term, Dee. 4, 1875. 

James W. White, for twenty years town clerk ; trial justice ; judge of East- 
ern Worcester district ; held the latter office as well as that of town clerk at 
death, Sept. 15, 1875. 

Hon. Jonathan D. Wheeler, nephew of Jonathan Wheeler, Esq., president 
Grafton National Bank ; of G. C. R. R. ; Councillor 18(53-64 ; Senator 18C8 ; 
one of the government trustees of Raiusford Island Hospital 1869-70 ; presi- 
dent of "Wheeler Cotton-mills," Millbury. 

John W. Slocomb, one of the earlier boot and shoe manufiicturers ; select- 
man ; first president Grafton Bank; director in First National at death. One 
of his sons, George F., now president First National; prominent boot and 
shoe manufacturer ; held several town offices ; representative to General 
Court. 

Jonathan Warren, early in tanning and currying, and boot and shoe manu- 
factures ; owner of " Warren's " Block; held various town ofiices ; first presi- 
dent "First National Bank"; representative to General Court. Rufus E., 
a brother, elected to many town offices ; for many years and now town treas- 
urer ; representative to General Court. Horace, a sou of Jonathan, held 
several town offices ; a director in First National Bank. 



546 TOWN OF IIAKDWICK. 



HARD WICK, 



BY REV. ABU All P. MARVIN. 



CHAPTER I. 

BOtTNTiAEIES AND SURFACE — BEGINNIXO OF SETTLEMENT — EARLY MILLS 

TOWN BUSINESS — INCORPORATION AS A TO^VN — CHURCH AND MINISTRY 

GEN. RUGGLES — THE WAR OF 1755 — RUGGLES IN THE REVOLUTION. 

This was the eighteenth town in Worcester County in the order of settle- 
ment. It is situated at the extreme west of the county, and just half-way 
from north to south. It was formerl}' much larger than at present, though 
now nearly equal to six miles square. Before pai-ts were taken from it and 
joined to other towns, it was nearly in the form of a square, whereas now its 
shape resembles a trapezium. It contains twenty thousand six hundred and 
sixty-six acres. The centre is in latitude 42° 21', and the distance, b}- direct 
line to Worcester, is a little over twenty-one miles. The following are the 
present boundaries : North-westerly b}' Dana ; norlh-easterl}^ by Barre ; south- 
easterly bj' New Braintree ; southerly by Ware ; and westerly by Greenwich 
and Enfield. The land is high, l)eing on the range which extends from Moinit 
Wachusett through Bclchcrtown to Mount Ilolyoke. The slope is towards the 
south, as all the streams run in that direction, and their waters finally reach 
the Connecticut through the Cliicopec. Moose Brook, which is a large stream, 
comes down in near)}' a direct line from Barre, and empties into Ware River 
near the middle of the eastern side of the town. Old Furnace Village is near 
its mouth. Muddy Brook, a smaller but sprightly stream, comes from the 
north part of the town, flows a little west of south to the west of the centre, 
and then directly south through Muddy Pond and into the Ware below the 
southern border. The other streams are parallel, except Swift River, which 
skirts the north-western border of the town. Ware River is the eastern 
boundary, and is a main affluent of the Chicopee. The water-power is greater 
in Barre and Oakham, luit not available in Ilardwick above Gilbcrtvillc, by 
reason of the absence of falls or rapids. 

Ilardwick is emphatically a "hill country," with just enough of valley to 
separate the hills. These extend north and south, as if ^h!lpcd by the same 



INDIAN PURCHASE. 547 

force and duriug tho same period. Thoy rise gradually, and are improvable 
to the summit. Though the land was originally rough and hard to ho subdued, 
it was rich, well-watered and fertile. It used to bo said that the " lauds were 
very excellent when subdued, but that it exhausted at least one life-time to 
subdue them." Having been subdued, they were to the second generation of 
farmers and their successors a rich possession. With such a surl'uce there was 
great difficulty in making roads. Thirty years after the settlement, Gen. 
Ruggles stated to tho General Court that the town must be at the " expense of 
some thousands of pounds upon their roads, befoi-e they will be brought to bo 
as good as most of the roads in the Province are by nature." There was no 
carriage in the town till after the last French and Indian war, and probably not 
before the Eevolution. 

The tract of laud which included the present township of Hardwick was 
purchased of the native owners Dec. 27, 1686. At that time John Magus and 
Lawrence Nassowanno, attorneys to Anogomok, sachem of a tract of laud 
called Wombemesisecook, and James and Simon, sons and heirs of Black 
James, sachem of the Nipmug country, sold to Joshua Lamb, Nathaniel Paige, 
Andrew Gardner, Benjamin Gambliu, Benjamin Tucker, John Curtiss, Richard 
Draper aud Samuel Ruggles of Roxbury, a tract of land twelve miles long, 
north and south, and eight miles wide, near Quaboag (now Brookfield), for 
£20 New England currency. They gave a deed at the time of sale. The 
tract included Hardwick, and parts of AVare, Palmer, Warren and New Brain- 
tree. Ware River, called by the natives Nenameseck, ran within the grant. 
From the name of the first on the list of purchasers it was called Lambstowu. 

Forty years later, Feb. 20, 1726, an agent was appointed to employ a 
surveyor and gain some definite idea of the purchase. On the presentation of 
a petition to the General Court a grant of six miles square was made, "pro- 
vided the petitioners make no further claim to tho land within mentioned." 
The Council did not concur. In the meantime "squatters" had moved in, and 
began to cultivate the land. An agent was sent to warn them against making 
any further improvement, but to "agree with those persons that have made a 
pitch upon said land for the present year, as he and they shall agree, as our 
tenants." In 1728, July 25, the proprietors asserted their "honest and just 
title to said land." They chose Joseph Ruggles as clerk, and also chose Capt. 
Samuel Green, Mr. Nathaniel Paige and Rev. Timothy Ruggles a committee to 
put a survey on record. They made an agreement with the men wlio had 
becun to build and plant, and made an allotment of thirty or forty lots, 
including one for the first minister, one for the ministry, and one for the 
support of schools. 

The proprietors sent in repeated petitions for a coufirmaliou of their pur- 
chase, but were as often defeated, either by the house, or the council, or the 
governor. The claim for a tract twelve miles by eight was reduced to one of 
eif'ht miles square, but this did not suit the authorities of the Province. At 



548 TOWN OF IIARDWICK. 



Icnglli, in 1732, June 15, the petition was granted to the extent of six miles 
square, on conditions. Tiiese were tliat sixty families should he settled on the 
tract within five years ; that the settlers should all he natives of Xcw England ; 
that each should build a house of one story, at least eighteen feet square, clear 
four acres of land fit for improvement, and have three acres well stocked with 
English grass. They were also to assign one lot for the minister first settled, 
one" lot for the support of the ministry, and one lot for the purposes of 
education. Besides, they were to build a meeting-house and "settle a learned 
and orthodox minister." By the last of December, 1732, twelve shares had been 
created, and several lots improved, but all the original proprietors were then 
dead. 

The first crist-mill was set up about the year 1735, and four others were set 
in operation before long, in dillcrent neighborhoods. Ten acres of land near 
the centre were assigned for a meeting-house, l)urial-placc and training-field. 
In 1733, June 15, the jilantation received six hundred acres east of Ware 
Kiver, but in 1751 these were added to the tract making New Braintree. The 
first lots in the settlements that were improved were near the river, and were 
in the vicinity of the Old Furnace, where a bridge was erected over Ware 
Eiver. Two furnaces were set up in early times, since Whitney's History, in 
1793, says that "a furnace was erected several years ago, where much hard- 
ware has been manufactmcd." The other was later in origin, and was about 
one hundred rods above the mouth of Great Meadow Brook. In the same 
year, 1733, December 27, it was voted by the proprietors to pay £48 to help 
pay a minister for preaching the Gospel one year. Settlers, both resident and 
non-resident, were to pay fifteen shillings each for farther encouragement, and 
Mr. Timothy Rugglcs was desired to procure a suitable person to preach. 
This was the Rev. Timothy Ruggles of Rochester, probably a son and heir of 
one of the early proprietors, and father of the ccleljrated Brigadier Ruggles. 

For a few years settlers moved in slowly, but when the five j'ears were 
expired the conditions had been fultilled. The larger part of the sixty families 
must have come on to the gromid in the last year, 1737, because in 1736 only 
twcntA-thrce had come, as appears from Deacon Joseph Allen's rhymes, which 
read as follows : 

'• In thirty-six I came into 
This then ii wiUlerncss; 
Great hardships wc did undergo, 
Our wants did daily press. 

"The families were twenty-three 

Tli:it Hull ilid here belong; 
Tlu-y all did harilslii;) liiiar with me, 
But iiiiw arc dead and gone." 

The people were then authorized to choose officers to hold till March, 1738, 
the time of holding the annual town meetings in the Province. On the 9th 
of February, 1737, the first town meeting was held, and Benjamin Smith was 



NEW MEETING-HOUSE. 549 



choseu moderator. The meetiug was then acljouvned to the house of Nathaniel 
Carpenter. The reason of the adjournment was, without doubt, to get into a 
house where there was a fire, no provision for sneh a comfort being in an 
ancient New Enghind meeting-house. The following officers were then chosen : 
Samuel Robinson, town clerk; John Wells, town treasurer. The usual 
officers, as selectmen, assessors, &c., were chosen by ballot, till they came to 
"tidinii-nicn," when they chose the remainder by nomination. From this time 
the support of the ministry came upon the town without aid from the pro- 
prietors. Of these Deacon Christopher Paige and Jlr. Benjamin Smith were 
the only ones who became settlers. Rev. Timolhy Rugglos had sous and 
nephews on the ground, but he continued to bo the minister of Rochester. 

In 1738 Mr. Christopher Paige was sent, to appear before the General Court, 
and ask for a full act of incorporation. This was passed Dec. 5, 1738, and 
approved by the governor, Jan. 10, 1739, and now Ilardwick was a regular 
town with all its powers and privileges. It is said that the name was fitly 
applied, considering the rigidity of the surface, but it was probably given in 
honor of a celebrated lawyer, Philip York, who was raised to the peerage by the 
title of Lord Ilardwick in the reign of George II. lie was at one time a mem- 
ber of the king's privy council, and chief justice of the court of king's bench. 

In 1734, when Mr. Ruggles was authorized to engage a minister for one 
year, Rev. Ephraira Keith, a graduate of Harvard College, was employed for 
the specified time. A vacancy of some months followed. About the first 
of July, 173G, Rev. David White began his ministry. He was graduated at 
Yale College in the year 1730. After preaching a few months he was ordained, 
Nov. 17, 173G. The church was organized on the day of his ordination. 
There were twelve male members at the beginning, and twenty-seven were 
added in the course of a year. In two or three miuths several females were 
received. The first deacons were Christopher Paige and Joseph Allen. The 
latter held the office fifty -six years and nine mouths. The salary of Mr. White 
was never quile equal to two hundred dollars a year. That was about equal 
in purchasing power to five hundred dollars at present. However, he had the 
lot assigned to the first minister as his own property. 

There was a meeting-house as early as 1737, since the first town meeting 
was held in it, on the 9th of February of that year, old style. The 
house was very small, and a new one was needed. Accordingly, in 1738, 
it was voted to build a new meeting-house, "fifty-four feet by forty, and 
twenty-two feet between joints, and two feet from the ground." There was a 
sharp contest about the location of the house, which was finally settled by 
placing it where the first house stood, which is the present centre of the town. 
This was fixed July 29, 1740, and the next year the house was raised. In due 
time it was finished and dedicated, but at what precise dates is not known. In 
1753, the following curious arrangement was made, which lets us see a little 
into the life of the middle of the last century. The women had certain scats 



550 TOWN OF HARD^^^CK. 

assigned to them in one of the galleries. Some young men, in 17o3 or '54 built 
a pew l)ehiuil the women's seats for tlieir own use. They appear to have done 
this without authority, and were soon taught that they were not to have their 
own way. It was voted, ^larch 4, 1754, " that the town refuse to let the young 
men that have built a scat in the woman's side galleries to have it there." 
They had liberty to build on the men's side galleries. But this house, for 
some reason, answered the wants of the people only about twenty years. 
Probably they had outgrown it, for in 17G7, the town voted to build a new one ; 
and by the contract it was to be built for what the pews would bring at sale. The 
builders lost by the bargain. A little liter a steeple was added, and, in 1803, 
a bell was hung. A pew was built in the west gallerv, "tight and close." An 
officer sat there with the bo3's. As usual there was trouble, and also some 
amusement in "seating the house." One man had seat Xo. (> from the pulpit 
assigned to him. This Avas the last seat towards the door. When Sunday 
came ho marched up the aisle from the door, counting in the reverse order, 
"one, two, three, four, five, six," in audililc voice, and sat in the front place, 
to the consternation of the "seaters," and those claiming the "chief seats in the 
synagogue." The house was large, and for the times was considered elegant. 

The first Psalm Book was probably that prepared by Pres. Dunster. The 
second was Tate and Brady's. This was introduced in 17(55. In the year 1770, 
it was arranged to have one-half of the Psalms read line by line, and sung 
between the reading, in some old tune. The other half of the Psalms were to 
be read before the singing, and then sung through to some new tune. In 1779 
seats were assigned for the singers who were arranged into a choir, and, in 
1791, a great advance was made in hymnology by adopting the Psalms and 
Hymns of Dr. Watts. 

The ministry of ]\Ir. AVhitc was. for the greater part of the time, ix-aceful, 
and the people were united ; but about 1740, in the time of Whitclicld, some 
became "Separates," because they wei'c not satisfied with the old oider of 
things. They were staled "New Lights," and had separate worshii) diu'ing 
some j'cars. In time some removed to other places, and some came back to the 
regular church. In 17GI, the Separates built a meeting-house on land given 
by the town, but it was used only a few years, when the society ceased to have 
separate meetings. After a long pastorate of forty-eiglit years, Mr. White 
died, Jan. fi, 1784. He is represented as a meek, simple and pious man, 
without splendid qualities, but with such as win conlidcnce, and endure. Mrs. 
White is spoken of as an "excellent woman." Their two sons were graduates 
of college, and honored their parentage. 

During the period from 1754 to 1775, the most important personage in the 
town, if not in the county, was Brigadier-General Timothy Euggles, and as 
his history and that of the town is blended for the time, they will be given in 
connection. In tiiis brief outline of events, what has been said about Gen. 
lluggles in other pages of this work, will be, as far as possible, omitted. He 



GENERAL RUGGLES. 551 

was born on tho 20th of October, 1711, in Rochester, where his fnthnr was the 
respected minister. In n'o2, he was graduated at Harvard College. lie 
was settled as a lawyer in Rochester and then in Sandwich. Not long prcvions 
to 1754, he removed to Ilardwick ; probably his father owned property there, 
and one or more of his brothers were settled in the place. lie had represented 
Rochester one year and Sandwich eleven years in the General Conrt between 1 739 
and 1752. He was sent to the legislature fifteen years, between 1751 and 1770, 
by tho town of Hardwick. In the years 17G2 and 17(53, ho was elected Speaker 
of the House. In 17G4 he declined the office of councillor, though elected. 
But he became mandamus councillor by appointment of the king in 1774. and 
this office he accepted. It was the turning point of his fortunes, and he entered 
on the descending grade. Previous to this he had been a justice of the Inferior 
Court of Common Pleas for Worcester County from 1757 to 17G2, and chief 
justice of the court from 1762 to 1775. 

In the French and Indian war, as already related, be bore a conspicuous 
part and was richly rewarded. His townsmen also most honorably sustained the 
policy of elder Pitt in that great contest with Franco. Sixteen commissioned 
officers, and more than one hundred and fifty non-commissioned oflicers and 
privates were in the service, for shorter and longer terms. This was more 
than half tho eflectivc force of tho town. There were only two hundred and 
thirty-nine white males over sixteen years of age in the town. After deducting 
the aged and others, who could not "pass muster," not many would be left. 
Drs. Joel Carpenter and Challis Safi"ord were in tho war as surgeons. Quito 
a number laid down their lives in the war, and many felt the eflccts of camp 
life to their dying day. 

After the war was over. Gen. Rnggles stood in the front rank of public men 
in America. When the first Congress was held in New York, in 17G5, he was 
elected president. As he did not approve the results of that historic body, the 
legislature passed a vote of censure upon him, while approving the course of 
his colleagues. But, though he was censured by the Province, he was sus- 
tained by his town, which passed a vote of approbation. Perhaps the vote 
indicated confidence and general approbation, rather than approval of his action 
in the Congress. His inlluence in Ilardwick was great, because, in addition to 
his personal qualities and his great reputation, he was a man of public spirit, 
and promoted tho welfare of the town. He had a groat establishment, with a 
deer-park of twenty acres, and kept thirty horses and a pack of hounds for the 
pleasiu-e of his guests, which were numerous. Besides an inherited fortune, he 
had a large income from public employments, and he was no niggard in spending. 
By his aid a "Fair" was established in Ilardwick, that drew people from all the 
neighboring towns in May and October, for the exchange of articles of every kind 
raised or made in the county. The semi-annual meetings were under the direc- 
tion of officers appointed by the town. Games and athletic sports were engaged 
in by the ^-oung, and looked upon with amusement by all classes. This was 



552 TOWN OF HARDWICK. 

continued several years, and was united in the mind of Brigadier Ruggles 
with the project of forming a new counly, made up of towns from Hampsliire 
and AVorcester counties, of which ILirdwick was to be the shire town. But 
these schemes faded as his fortunes became clouded. As the Kcvolutiou came 
on, he was found ou the side of the king. He believed that separation and 
independence would come in time, but that "the pear was not ripe"' in 1775. 
His relatives and friends were urgent that ho should abide by the Colonics, and 
be a leader on the patriotic side ; but his mind inclined the other Avay, and, iu 
in the summer of 1774, he prepared to leave home and go to Boston. His 
neighbors gathered in large numbers on the morning of his departure, for the 
purpose of dissuading him ; but all to no purpose. They came to the border 
of Ware River, where the bridge crosses into New Braintree, and held an ear- 
nest colloquy. The appearance of siimc was threatening, but he was unmoved. 
In the crowd were Benjamin and Edward, his brothers : Thomas Robinson, his 
cousin, and Paul Mandcll, who had married his sister, were patriots, and present 
likewise. They all knew he was ou the wa}' to attend a meeting of the "Man- 
damus Council," and their desire was to dissuade him from taking that decisive 
step. They hoped to prevent his crossing the bridge. Benjamin Ruggles, after 
expostulating, said, that if he persisted in going to Boston, he would never be 
permitted to retm-n. lie replied : " Brother Benjamin, I nJiaU come back, at the 
head of five hundred men if necessary-. " Benjamin rejoined : " Brother Timothy, 
if you cross that bridge this morning, yon will certainly never cross it again 
alive." The general was iu warlike trim, with his pistols and his sword at his 
side. With a military gesture, he waved the excited throng back from his 
course. They gave Avay, and, with a deliberate pace, he passed the bridge and 
l)roceeded on his way. He never returned. His son, Lieut. Timothy Ruggles, 
was put under guard, and the house was searched for arms. He was afterwards 
released, and permitted to go to Boston if he pleased; but he declined, and 
remained at home. The general's property was eonSscated, l)nt it is said that 
the British government uku'c than made amer.ds for all his losses. It should 
be said to his credit that he could not be induced ou any consideration to take 
up arms against his country. 



CHAPTER II. 

THE TOWN IN THE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE — SCHOOLS AND EDUCATIONAL 
I'ROGUESS — r.ELIGIOUS HISTORY — CLIMATE AND SOIL — AGRICULTURE — POP- 
ULATION MANUFACTURES ACTION IN THE REBELLION PROMINENT CHAR- 
ACTERS. 

The people of this town were ripe for vigorous measures when the time 
came to resist the encroachments of the British ministry. After 1770 they 



PATRIOTIC ENERGY. 553 

ceased choosing Gen. Riiggles as their representaUve. In the next two years 
they sent no delegate to the General Court. In 1773 they voted : "our riglits 
and privileges are infringed upon." Paul Mandell was sent as representative, 
with instructions : " You will never give up that right into the power of others, 
which the law of God, Nature and Nations hath invested us with." In 1774 
the town voted, that nothing should be done "which could possibly bo con- 
strued into an acknowledgment of the power of parliament for altering the 
government of Massachusetts Bay." They " would pay no regard to the coun- 
cil appointed l)y mandamus." They instructed their delegate, that if the legis- 
lature should be dissolved by tlie royal goveruor, he "should uuite in a Pro- 
vincial Congress with the other members." 

A committee of correspondence, consisting of fifteen men, was chosen in 1774, 
and the town voted to "have no dealings with tories except to grind for them." 
There were only eight or nine of this class for whom the mills were allowed to 
"grind." In 1775 the daring step was taken of calling a town meeting without 
the king's name and authority. The town voted that the taxes should not be 
paid to the king's treasurer, but to Henry Gardner of Stow, and the officers 
of militia resigned the king's commissions, when officers were chosen by the 
town. A company of "raiimte-men" was organized. The news from Lexing- 
ton and Concord reached the town late in the evening. Before sunrise the next 
morning, the company, with full ranks, was on its way to Boston. The 
soldiers offered to serve without pay if the town would arm and equip the rest 
of the inhabitants ; and the town thereupon voted to arm and equip all between 
sixteen and seventy as well as the miuute-men were equipped. Those over forty 
j-ears old met and chose their own officers. Two companies of "alarm men" were 
formed ; Deacon Joseph Allen, aged sixty-seven, was chosen captain of one 
company, and Deacon "William Paige, of the age of fifty-two years, of the other. 
Thus, in a town of twelve hundred people, there were five companies, each of 
fifty men. One of these was for sudden surprise, two were for rcgidar service, 
and two for defence. In this way the town entered upon the contest, and, 
through the war of the Revolution, it did its full part in supplying men, money 
and stores. For longer or shorter periods of service, Hardwick furnished 
about twenty-five commissioned officers, and more than three hundred non- 
commissioned officers and soldiers. Among the officers were Gen. Jonathan 
Warner, and Lieut. Cols. Barnabas Sears and Stephen Rice. 

In 1778 the town voted unanimously in favor of the act of "Confederation 
and Perpetual Union." AVhen the proposed State Constitution came before the 
town iu 1780, several amendments were proposed, which, if not eminently wise, 
evinced thought and familiarity with questions relating to government. One 
amendfneut suggested was a limitation of the power of the governor ; some 
did not want a governor. Another proposition was to restrict the power of the 
Senate. By another amendment the militia were to i)e under the orders of the 
General Court. All these propositions were intended to keep power iu the 



554 TOWN OF HARDWICK. 



hands of the people as much as possil)le. They voted that all persons should 
be free, black as well as white ; that all should enjoy the elective franchise, and 
that no person should be taxed for preaching who did not attend on the public 
worship of God. None of these proposed amendments were adopted at the 
lime. The last came into force about lifty-fivc years ago. The present liiuits 
to suffrage are slight. The need of a Senate and an executive have been demon- 
strated by experience. 

Shays' Rebellion had many sympathizers and supporters in Hardwick, as 
might l)e supposed from some of the preceding votes. In fact, a majority of 
the voters were on the side of the insurgents. John "Wheeler, a prominent 
leader, was a resident of the town. In the opening of 1787, the town took the 
position that the Court of General Sessions of the Peace, and the Inferior Court 
of Common Pleas, should be suspended. The cQcct would bo similar to that 
of a "stay law," which would put olf the collection of debts. 

It is time to refer to the schools of ILirdwick, and learn what has been done 
in successive generations for the education of the children. As early as the 
year 1744, there was a vote of the town to employ a "school-master eight 
months, and remove four times." That is, he was to keep scho(.l in four differ- 
ent sections of the town, and about two months in each. In some years there 
were tive schools, and the number increased as the town I)ecamc settled in all 
its parts. In 1747 ten shillings were paid to Eleazer Warner for "preventing 
the town from being presented for want of a school." In those days towns that 
foiled to have schools according to the requirements of the law, were liable to 
be complained of before the county court, and it was the duty of the court to 
enforce the law. Schools were kept every year from 1744 to 1773. The 
severity of the times in the Revolution reduced the appropriation. In 1785 a 
"rammar school was kept in four different parts of the town. The first school- 
houses were erected in 1790. 

From 1798 to 1823, the annual sum raised for schooling was five hundred 
dollars. In 1829 it was six hundred dollars ; in 1838, one thousand, ami in 
1849, twelve hundred dollars. Before 1838 a higii school was started by Rev. 
John Goldsbury, which was supported by individuals. This raised the standard 
of education, and the influence of Mr. Goldsbury, an eminent educator, was 
inspiring to all the youth of the town and vicinity. 

The statistics of education, as given in the report of the board of educatiou 
for 1877-8, are as follows: —The num!)er of schools was twelve; the length 
of the term was six months ; the money appropriated was two thousand 
dollars, besides about one hundred and sixty-five dollars for incidental expenses ; 
the sum appropriated for each child between five and fifteen years was tive 
dollars and fifteen cents; the ratio of attendance was seventy-five per cent., 
and in this respect the town was numbered forty in the list of fifty-eight 
towns. 

Resuming the religious history of Hardwick, it appears that the successor of 



RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 555 



Mr. White was the Rev. Thomas Holt, a giadiuito of Yale College in 1784. 
He was ordained as pastor of the church, June 25, 1789. The salary was 
three hundred dollars. On account of the inadequacy of his salary, he resigned 
March 27, 1805. During his ministry, sixty-five were admitted to the church. 
The same year, on the 30th of October, the Rev. William B. Wesson, a 
,raduate of Williams College in 1802, was settled. He remained till June 30, 
1822, and received two hundred and fifty-four to comnmuion. Some of these 
were by letter, but the " half-way" plan had fallen out of use. 

About this time, the church and society were divided into two organizations. 
The meeting-house party engaged the Rev. John Merrick, who remtiincd from 
the summer of 1828 to 1832. In the latter year, July 4, the Rev. John 
Goldsbury was settled. This parish afterward united with the Universalist 
Society. The other or Orthodo.K party built a brick church, and on 
the IGth of April, 1828, settled the Rev. Martyn Tupper. He was dis- 
missed April 29, 1835, and his successor. Rev. Edward Fuller, was settled 
Nov. 3, 1835. After a brief pastorate, he was followed by Rev. William 
Eaton, Sept. G, 1837. After him came several successors, till Rev. W. E. 
Merritt was installed in 1870 as acting pastor. The last pastor. Rev. Augustus 
C. Swain, recently resigned. The church numbers eighty-three members. 

The Baptist Society originated in 1797, November IG, and the church was 
organized on the IGth of September, 1801. The Rev. Ebenozor Burt was 
ordained June 30, 1798, and dismissed, after an active pastorate, Nov. 19, 
1827, having received one hundred and thirty-four members. Rev. Joseph 
Glazier was"installed Aug. 2, 1831, and dismissed in April, 1835. He was 
followed in May, 1837, by Rev. Nelson B. Jones. From May, 1798, to 1837, 
two hundred and fourteen had been received by baptism or as new converts. 
Some years since, this church apjiears to have been united with the church in 
Ware ; at least, both are reported in connection in the Minutes of the Baptist 
Convention. The first meeting-house of this society was built in 1801, in the 
south-west part of the town, towards Ware Centre. The second house was 
erected in 1832. 

In the discourse by Rev. Dr. Lucius R. Paige, to whom we are indebted for 
many of the foregoing statements, it is said that there were some believers in 
universal salvatio^^i in Ilardwick in the last century, but the society was first 
organized in 1824. The Rev. John Bisbce labored here, and, according to the 
representation of Dr. Paige, he was an eloquent, powerful and honest Christian 
man. Other ministers of this denomination were : Rev. Joshua Flagg, John 
H. Willis, J. Pierce and Gilmau Noyes ; and after the union, Benton Smii.h, 
R. S. Pope, G. J. Sanger, J. II. Moore, II. Jewell and L. S. Crosley. The 
meetings were held in the town house. 

In Oilbertville, there is a recently established Congregational Church, called 
the Union Church. It was organized in 18G7. The present pastor is Rev. 
Willard D. Brown, and it consists of one hun<lred members. 



556 TOWN OF HARDWICK. 

There is also in this towa a Methodist Church, but its history and present 
condition cannot be given for want of material. In Gilljcrtville is a Catholic 
church, bearing the name of St. Aloyslus, which is attended or ministered to 
by the pastor in charge at Ware. 

Hardwick has always been a hcailhriil town, though, like other places, it has 
suffered at times from epidemics. Several persons have attained to one hun- 
dred years, aud many have lived to a great age. The air is pure, the water is 
sweet and good, and the soil produces an abundance of wholesome food. 

The town is celebrated for its good farms, and especially for its dairies. 
Butter and cheese have long been articles of sale, aud recently milk has been 
taken to market. As far back as 1793, Whitney wrote these words : — "The 
soil is, in general, deep, loamy and very fertile. The lands produce all kinds 
of grain in sufficient j)lcnty for the inhabitants; but they arc best adapted to 
grass and pasturage. Here vast quantities of butter and cheese are made, and 
excellent beef fatted for the maiket. Ail kinds of fruit-trees flourish here." 
As it was in the past, so it now remuius. The town stands in the front rank 
in regard to agricultural products. The farm property statistics are interest- 
ing. There are about 200 farms, and not far from 20,500 acres of improvable 
land, which are valued at $401, OGH. The buildings connected witii the land 
are valued at $229,100. Other dwellings have a valuation of many thousands 
of dollars. Frnit, trees aud vines stand for $18,393. Domestic animals are 
valued at $122,145. Of these, there are 1,837 cows, at a valuation of $(U,517. 
Some of the farm products, by the returns of 1875, foot up as follows: — 
Cheese, in pounds, in round numbers, 137,000, valued at $15,152; butter, 
52,306 pounds, at a value of $18,321 ; milk, 172,000 gallons, of the value of 
$19,208; beef, 133,000 pounds, valued at $11,087; aud .apples at nearly 
$8,000. The aggregate value of manufactures in Hardwick in 1875 was 
$85,036. The business has changed, in some respects, in recent times. Early 
in the history of the town, considerable hardware was made. Forty years 
ago, the boot and shoe business employed some thirty hands, and the value of 
the product was $14,500. There were two smidl paper-mills in the town. 
Palm-leaf hats were made to the number of 75^000 and value of $15,500. In 
1875, the money value of the total products of Hardwick was $310,065. 

The population of the town rose from 1,393 in 1790 to 1,885 in 1830. In 
the next thirty years, it decreased to 1,521. In the next five j-ears, it rose to 
1,907. This was in 1805. In five years more, the total number of inhabitants 
was 2,219, the highest figures ever attained. Since then a decrease has set in, 
reducing the population in 1875 to 2,000, less eight. The increase that com- 
menced about 1800 was owing to the building of the flourishing village of 
Gilbertvillc, which was originated by the late Mr. Gilbert of Ware. This is 
ou the extreme south of the town, and on Ware River. The stoppage of 
business a few years since lowered the population, but the revival of business 
may be expected to cause an increase again. The chief business is in the 



THE CIVIL WAR. 557 



hands of Mr. Gilbcrl's relatives, and tlio water-power is abundant. It is ren- 
dered more valuable by the recent opening of the Ware lilvcr Railroad, 
extending across the county from Wiiichcndon to Palmer. 

The action of Hardwiek in the war of the Rebellion, as might have been 
expected from its early history, was patriotic. Though no legal action was 
taken in 18G1, yet the spirit of the citizens was manifested in public meetings 
and by the enlistment of soldiers. In 1(SG2, the selectmen, viz., Joseph W. 
Powers, Henry B. Gould and George Manly, were directed to pay State aid 
to soldiers so far as necessary. In August, they were authorized to pay a 
bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each volimtecr who should 
enlist "for three years, and be credited on the quota of the town, and to bor- 
row twenty-live lunidrcd dollars to pay the same." August 30, it was voted to 
pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer for nine months' service, 
provided the quota should "be filled by volunteers." And, on the 15th of 
December, it was voted to pay "two hundred dollars to each of the three years' 
men called for to fill the balance of the quota of nine months' men for Hardwiek." 
In 18G3-5, the selectmen were Constant Sonthworth, Orin Trow, Elbridge Man- 
dell, Samuel S. Dennis, Nathan W. Sargent and Charles C. Spooner, serving 
in different years. The town clerk during the war was Albert E. Knight. 
Treasurer for 18G1 and 'G2, "William Mixter ; for 18G3-G4-G5, Frazier Paige. 

The votes of the town in 18G4 evinced the readiness of the citizens to con- 
tribute the "sinews of war." The selectmen, April 4, voted to pay "one 
hundred and twentj'-five dollars for each volunteer enlisted under the call of 
the President from October, 1SG3, to March 1, 18G5." The last vote was on 
the 8th of November, 18G4, when the town instructed the selectmen "to pay 
all those persons who. had put in substitutes in their own name the sum of one 
hundred and twcnt^'-five dollars." Hardwiek, with a population of fifteen 
hundred and twenty-one, supplied about one hundred and eighty men for the 
war, and had a surplus of nine above all demands. Three wei"e commis- 
sioned officers. The amount of money spent by the town, exclusive of State 
aid, was $12,896.76 ; the amount for State aid was $8,512.22 ; making a total 
of $21,408.98. In this amount is not included what was given by private 
bounty, or by the active sympathy of the ladies' societies. 

Among the more prominent men, besides the celebrated Gen. Ruggles, who 
have lived in Hardwiek, may be mentioned Dr. Jonas Fay (1737-1818), hon- 
ored in public life; Moses Robinson (1741-1813), Governor of Vermont, 
1789, and a member of the United States Senate from 17D1 to 179G; Charles 
Robinson, first Free State Governor of Kansas ; Wyman Spooner, Lieut. Gov- 
ernor of Wisconsin, 18G3-G8 ; and the Rev. Dr. Lucius R. Paige, a leading 
minister of the Universal ist denomination, author of a Commentary on the 
New Testament, now residing in Cambridge, whose history he has recently 
published. The Hon. William Mixter, a graduate of Harvard College. 1829, 
has been a member of the State Senate. 



558 TOWN OF HARVARD. 



H A Pv V A R D 



BY REV ABIJAH P. MARVIN. 



ASPECT AND SITUATION — INCORPORATION — ORIGIN AND RISE OF CHURCHES — 
"father abbey's WTLL" — TOPOGRAPHY OF THE TOWN — ANCIENT ROADS 
AND WAYS — SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION — FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR — 
REVOLUTION AND ITS EVENTS — SHAKER COMMUNITY — PECULIAR PEOPLE — 
EDUCATION — BROMFIELD SCHOOL — AGRICULTURE — INDUSTRIAL HISTORY 
MOVEMENT DURING THE REBELLION — THE " WILLARD HOMESTEAD." 

This towa is the eldest of the daughters of Lancaster. It is diflitult to 
decide which is the fairest, but certainly Harvard is second to none of them 
in all the elements of beautiful scenery. Original Lancaster may be compared 
to a rich carpet wrought by the cunning hand of an oriental artist, who 
surrounded it with an exquisite border, but lavished all the resources of his 
genius on the peerless central square. The square remains in more than its 
pristine loveliness, while the border is l)roken into fragments, each of which 
makes a pattern of beauty. 

The town is in the north-east of Worcester Comity, and is bordered by the 
county of Middlesex for more than half its circumference. On the north it has 
Ayer ; on the east, Littleton, Boxborough and Stow ; on the south, Bolton ; and 
on the west, Lancaster and Shirley. It is in latitude 42° 30', is twenty miles 
from Worcester, and about thirty-two from Boston by direct line. By rail 
from Harvard station, on the Worcester and Nashua Railroad, the distance is 
thirty-eight miles. 

The town was incorporated Jan. 29, 1732, and was taken principally from 
Lancaster, with additions from Groton and Stow. It contained about lil'ty 
families, many of them bearing old family names belonging to the mother town, 
such as Willard, Houghton, Atherton, Sawyer, Whitcomb, Whitney and 
Priest. An effort was made to keep the old towns together as a unit, and 
so preserve its importance. The proposal was to build meeting-houses in 
different sections or precincts, and sustain the ordinances of the Gospel by a 
common tax, but the people in Harvard preferred to bo an independent town, 
and carried the point. The name was given in honor of the Rev. John 
Harvard, by whose" wise bounty the foundation of Harvard College was 
laid. This was about a hundred years after his death, and it is to the honor of 



FATHER ABBEY'S WILL. 



559 



somebody now unknown that the name of an untitled but eiilin:htened man 
was chosen. 

The next thing was to form a church and secure the preaching of the Gospel. 
The first minister was the Rev. John Seccombe, a graduate of Harvard College 
in 1728, when he was twenty j'cars old. He was born in Mcdibrd, in April, 
1708, and was, therefore, twenty-fivo years old when settled in Harvard in 
1733. He was the author of several published sermons. One was a fuueral 
sermon on the consort of Gov. Jonathan Belcher. He seems to have been a 
favorite of the governor, who was a friend to ministers, and gave his counten- 
ance to the celebrated Whitclield when many of the clergy held aloof from or 
opi^oscd him. ]Mr. Seccombe had great facility at rh^'ining, and enjoyed some 
reputation as a poet. The latest writer on the literature of America sneers at 
his poetical pretensions. The products of his muse are not entitled to a very 
high place in the temple of fame, but there was a kind of humor in them which 
pleased those who knew the local hits and allusions. One was a "Poem on a 
Goose Roasted at Yankee Plastings." Another, which was published in England 
as well as in this country, and had a great run, was entitled "Father Abbey's 
Will." Father Abbey was a man born at Boston, and was a fisherman in the 
waters about that town until he became sweeper and bed-maker to the college. 
He died in 17G2, and the poem purports to be his "Will" in favor of his wife. 
The fun of the thing consists in the odd way in which he mixes up the countless 
things in an old house, in a document so solemn as a "last will and testament." 
There are mau}' verses, three of which are given below. This poem was 
answered by the bed-maker of Yale College, who made proposals to Father 
Abbey's widow. The answer has a little touch of wit, as will be seen by the 
lines placed in the opposite column. 



IFrom Father Abbeifs WUIJ] 

' A small-tooth comb, 

An ashcu broom, 
A candlestick and hatchet, 

A coverlid 

Stri|)ed dofrn with red, 
A bag of rags to iiatch it. 

"A ragged mat, 

A tub ot'l'at, 
A book put nut by Bunyau, 

Another book. 

By IJoblu Cook, 
A skein or two of spnnyam. 

"An old black muff. 

Some garden stuff, 
A quantity of borage. 

Some "dcv'il's weed" 

And burdock seed, 
To season well your porridge.' 



[The Ansiuer frovi the Tale College Bed-maker 
contains these, among other lines.'] 

" No teeth, 'tis true. 

You luivo to shew ; 
The young think teeth inviting ; 

But, silly youths! 

1 love those months, 
Where there's no fear of biting. 

" A leaky eye. 

That's never dry, 
These woful times is fitting ; 

A wrinkled face 

Adds solemn grace 
To folks devout at meeting." 



Such an accommodating wooer might be expected to succeed, but there is 
no record of his nuptials with the widow. 



5G0 TOWN OF HARVAED. 



It must not be supposed that Mr. Secconibe gave much time to such trifles, 
since he was, iu fiict, an earnest and faithful pastor. He was a friend to 
Wiiitefield, and invited him to preach in Harvard when the pulpit of 
Lancaster was shut against him. His ministry in Harvard closed iu 1757, 
after twenty-four years' service. His successor was Kev. .Joseph Wheeler, 
who was ordained in 1759, aud dismissed iu 1768, when he removed to 
Worcester, and was county treasurer a series of years. The late treasurer of 
the city of Worcester is his son or grandson. Rev. Daniel Johnson was the 
minister from 17G9 to 1777, when he died. Mr. Johnson was a chaplain in 
the Revolutionary army in the opening of the contest, and the tradition is that 
a prayer offered by him in presence of his regiment or some collection of 
soldiers made a deep impression, aud melted all to tears. After a few years' 
interval. Rev. Ebcnezer Grosveuor was installed iu 1782, hut his pastorate was 
brief, since his death occurred iu the year 1788. The Rev. William Emerson 
succeeded in 1792, and remained until he was released to remove to Boston. 
His successor was the Rev. Stephen Bemis, who was settled in 1801. The 
Rev. Warreu Fay, D.D., afterwards of Charlestowu, came next, in 1814, and 
remained until 1823, when there was a revolution iu the town as a parish, and 
the church withdrew from the society. An anecdote relating to the Rev. Mr. 
Emerson, father of Ralph Waldo Emerson, finds a place in this connection. 
The tradition is that a church in Boston wanted Mr. Emerson, and the church 
in Harvard were reluctant to part with him. Finally, the Boston people 
offered a thousand dollars and secured the minister. There seems to be a kind 
of fairness in this transaction, though possibly the minister would have yielded 
to the attractions of the metropolis if his people had not been moliitied by a 
douceur. It is the modern way to entice away a pastor by oflVring him a 
larger salary and a present to pay the expenses of moving, without making any 
compensation to the bereaved church. 

Harvard is a continuation of the hill country on the east side of the Nashua 
valley. The river is the boundary two or three miles, and the fine intervale 
land is a part of the w^ealth of the town. The hills rising in Bolton extend 
north, into, and even across Harvard. Bear Hill nms up through the centre, 
and bears on its broad breast the great pond of the same name. Pin Hill, 
towards the north-west, so called from its shape, is about two hundred feet 
above the level of the valley, and has a quarry of excellent blue slate. Oak 
Hill was mined as early as 1781, by searchers for silver ore, but their toil was 
fruitless, yet miners and geologists say that the rock formation is like that of 
gold and silver bearing regions. Prospect Hill, as it is sometimes called, in 
the western part of the town, on the sloping side and broad summit of which 
is the village of Still River, is well named, as the view over the valley of the 
river, threaded by the silver stream, and over the hills aud valleys of Lancas- 
ter and Sterling, aud Leominster, with Wachusett beyond, is one of a ihou- 
saud. 



EARLY SETTLERS. 561 



The town is wcll-watorcd by springs, brooks and ponds. Bear Hill Pond is 
a large expanse of water, on the top of the town, so to speak, covering about 
three hundred and twenty acres. Several islands add to its chiirms, and it is 
stocked with lish. It is a favorite place of resort for parties in the summer 
season. This is a little south-west of the centre. In the north-west of the town 
is a small but very deep pond, whose shores descend sharply, whence it is 
called Hell Pond. The depth is reported to be ninety feet. Robbins's Pond is 
north, not far distant. Some of the brooks flow south-east into the Assabet ; 
some north-cast into Stony Brook, and the outlet of Bear Hill Pond Hows 
northerly, emptying into the Nashua. The town, therefore, slopes towards 
every point of the compass. 

The west part of Harvard, or Still River, must have been settled very early, 
as there is reason for l)elieving that Henry Willard, one of the sons of the 
fomous IMaj. Simon Willard was there at the time of the burning of Lancaster 
by King Philip, or not long after the re-settlement. A large number of the 
many descendants of the Major arc the posterity of this Henry. Probably all 
the Willards living in Lancaster at present or in the past, belong to this branch 
of the family. The landed property of Henry Willard was extensive. Col. 
Samuel Willard, prominent in the Indian and French wars, and in the civil 
history of Lancaster, was one of his sons. 

The old road from Lancaster to Groton used to diverge from the Concord 
road, on the east side of Penacook or Nashua River, at the crossing just above 
the house of Daniel Bcmis, Esq., and run across the intervale diagonally w^here 
the "Dead River" is now, and so on to Still River and Harvard. The con- 
nection of the Willard neighborhood was thus intimate with Lancaster. There 
are occasionally items which bring their history together. For example, the 
soldiers who left the garrison of Rev. Andrew Gardner, the day before he was 
killed by mistake, went scouting after Indians towards Still River. They 
returned weary, and Mr. Gardner took the service of watching through the 
night; hence his death. It appears also from records, th.at two of the eleven 
garrisons belonging to Lancaster in 170'1, were in the territory afterwards set 
off as Harvard. One was at Bear Hill, for the following families ; viz., John 
Priest, Sr., John Priest, Jr., John Warner, Caleb Sawyer, James Atherton, 
Sr., James Atherton, Jr. The other was probal)ly at Still River, as appears 
by the following names: Simon Willard, Benjamin Bellows, John Willard, 
Joshua Atherton, Henry Willard, James Houghton, Joseph Hutchins, Joseph 
Waters, Ilczekiah Willard and James Smith. 

The people of this section had the benelit of school money long before they 
were erected into a town. A vote passed in Lancaster town meeting, supple- 
mented by a subscription, in May, 1724, provided that there should be a 
"school at Still River or Bear Hill, eighty-two days." The two sections were 
grouped as one district. The following division of money may give sonic idea 
of the relative number of people in different neighborhoods of undivided Lau- 



562 TOWN OF HARVARD. 

caster: "The schoolmaster ought to keep school at Stephens' Hill (between 
Lancaster town hall and the first bridge), 104 days ; and at Still River or Bear 
Hill, 82 days; and at or on the Nock, 177 days." The school on Stephens' 
Hill probably accommodated the Old Common and Sr)nth Lancaster, and that 
on the Neck, all on the cast side of Lancaster Centre, and up the road to Still 
River. The estimate of numbers is to be modilicd by the fiict that the money 
was divided according to the amount subscribed in each section, as well as 
by the number of children. 

After the new town was granted, the old town showed its liberality 
by a grant made by the proprietors (who constituted the town, mainly), 
of thirty acres of land on Pin Hill "to set a meeting-house upon, and for 
a raining-field, and for a burying-placc." They also gave the Rev. John 
Seccombc the two largest islands in Bear Hill Pond, near which his residence 
was built. 

Though the Lidians floated their canoes in the Nashua, and fished in the 
ponds, and hunted through the woods of Harvard, it is not known that they 
had any permanent home witliin its bounds. They were under the aboriginal 
species of jurisdiction of Sholan, sachem at Washacum, and their lauds were 
faiily purchased by the first white settlers. No hostile acts ever stained the 
earth at Harvard with human blood. The inhabitants supplied their quota of 
soldiers in King "William's, Queen Anne's and LovewcH's wars, but the actual 
fighting was outside of their bounds. 

During both the French and Indian wars, and the war of the Revolution, 
the town furnished its full quota of soldiers, contributed freely to support 
the armies, and lost many victims of the tomahawk, the musket, and the 
diseases of the camp. It is supposed that some followed Col. Samuel Willard 
in the expedition of 1745, when Louisburg was captured, and it is certain 
that many were in the expeditions to Ticonderoga, Crown Point and 
Quebec. The recital of the particulars must be left to the future historian of 
the town. 

As the difficulties with England increased in the years previous to 1775, the 
people of Harvard sympathized with Boston and the whole Colony. The thrill 
and throb of passion and excitement were felt up among these hills, perhaps, as 
intensely as near the seaboard. The Boston Port Bill, the Stamp Act, and the 
attempt to collect a tax on tea, aroused the indignation of farmers as well as 
merchants and patriots in the lower towns. Harvard concurred with the 
other towns in refusing to pay taxes to the royal coUectin-, Mr. Gray, and 
agreed to pay them to Mr. Gardner of Stow. She procured a stock of jDowder, 
ball and cartridge-boxes, and saw to the arming of her men. Resolutions 
were passed in town meeting, full of the spirit of independence, and bordering 
perilously near on rebellion. The Lexington alarm called her "minute-men " 
into the field, and they started for the scene of the fight. Some of them were 
present at the battle of Bunker Hill, the story of which, as it spread, though 



RELIGIOUS CHANGES. 563 

an apparent defeat, had all the encouraging influence of a great victory. Some 
of bcr ofiicers and soldiers Avero veterans led by the Whitcoml)s, Thomas and 
Ward, and trained under Wolfe. They were joined by ruw recruits, (illcd 
with courage and zeal for Iibcrt3^ Alter the battle Ihey wore not afiaid of 
the king's troops. When the Declaration of Independence came they heard it 
read with solemn enthusiasm, and ordci'cd it to be placed on the town records 
in "perpetual memorial." Though one leading citizen by the name of Atherton, 
a graduate of Harvard College, opposed their action and adhered to the royal 
cause, the plain sense of the people, bred in a Congregational Church, prompted 
them to prefer a "Church without a bishop, and a State without a king." 

It is almost, perhaps quite, impossible to ascertain how many of the able- 
bodied men of Harvard went into the field, but it is safe to say that nearly all 
of them were cither in the company who went to Concord and Cambridge, or 
were among the "minute-men," or enlisted in the Continental service, or were 
drafted for special duty. The records of the town, and family papers, and the 
narratives of aged people, who survived almost to the present; time, all unite in 
proving that Harvard was actuated by the most ardent i)atriotism. 

There was a spirit abroad in the latter part of the last century and even ear- 
lier, which favored the formation of Baptist churches. Without stating the causes, 
or philosophizing on the subject, it is sufEcieut to recognize the fact. Dca. 
Lemuel Willard, 1st, was a great-grandson of Maj. Simon Willard ; his mother, 
the wife of Henry Willard, was u daughter of Pres. Dunsterof Harvard College. 
He was a Baptist. The deacon belonged to the Congregational Church, but 
used to say, "If I lived where there was a Baptist Church, I would unite with 
it." The Baptist Church in Still River was formed the year after his death, 
which occurred in 1775. The record reads as follows: "177G, Juno 27, four- 
teen persons imbodicd themselves into a church." Their pledge of union gives 
their names. "We, Stephen Gates, Tarbell Willard, Isaiah Parker, William 
Willard, Jr., Josiah Willard, Joseph Stone, Ruth Kilburn, Sarah Willard, 
Elizabeth Gates, Huldah Edes, Sarah Kilburn, Jemima Blanchard, Rachel 
Willard, Am}^ Willard," &c. . These were the fathers and mothers of the new 
church. It is probable that there was some kind of a society or organization 
before this time, for the purpose of holding public worship, and that the 
embodiment at this time, was a more formal organization of what already 
existed. From a recent publication it appears that Isaiah Parker, RI. D., who 
became a Baptist in the previous year, was ordained as pastor luider an old elm, 
when Dr. Stillman of Boston preached the sermon. Doubtless the " old elm" 
stood on the broad summit where is now the quiet, rural village of Still River. 
Joseph Haskell, then ninety years of age, who became a deacon, and lived to 
the age of ninety-three, was among the first of those baptized by immersion. 
Dr. Parker, during a ministry here of twenty-four years, baptized ninety persons, 
which in a congregation not very large, was a goodly number. In 1798, he 
resigned, having become a believer in the universal salvation of mankind. 



5CA TOWN OF HARVARD. 



Elder George Robinson avus the next pastor, and eonlinned ahotit twelve 
3'ears. Additions were made to the church in considerable nuniljer in the 
early i)art of liis ministry. This church was the eighth in the county in the 
date of its organization, hut soon took the lead in numbers and influence. Ho 
was followed by Rev. Abishai Samson, a man of remarkable (jualitics, who, 
during ii ministry of twenty years, exerted a strong influence in his parish and 
the neighboring towns. A man of learning, piety and practical sense, he 
built up his society and church, and was helpful in organizing churches in the 
regions round about. The pulpit was supplied by several ministers and licen- 
tiates, during a few succeeding j'cars, until 1855, when Rev. Moses Curtis, 
who had been fifty years in the ministry, was settled, and during the next seven 
years, literally "bore fruit in old age." His successors have been Revs. Clark 
.Sibley, Charles M. AVillard, John A. Lerued, Andrew Dunn, Leonard Tracy, 
William Leach and John W. Dick. In 1874, Rev. Daniel Round, the present 
pastor, began -his labors in this field. It is said in a printed record of the 
church that his jjastorate " has brought fresh encouragement to the mother of 
so many churches whose more favorable location has given them a more rapid 
recent growth.'' 

The community of Shakers was esfal)lish€d in Harvard towards the close of 
the last century, and has maintained a respectable standing, financiall}' and 
morally, to the present time. Its property is in the north-east section of 
the town, and is pleasantly situated, being adapted to farming, the dairy 
and gardening. It was said of them many years since that "they have a neat 
village, and a tract of finely cultivated and productive lands." Bennett's 
Brook runs through the plantation, and gives meadows amid the hills. The 
community is in three families, with a short interval between them, but near 
enough to assemble without inconvenience. The whole aspect of the region is 
pleasant and homelike, though the home-life is peculiar. There is a meeting- 
house, a school-house and office, for religion, education and business, so that 
the community is thoroughly organized. A grist-mill, saw-mill, hcrb-houge, 
tannery and work-shops give completeness to the industrial arrangements. 
The people live in several dwelling-houses in each of the three groups or fami- 
lies. The main business is farming and horticulture, and much attention is 
given to the raising of herbs, such as are good for seasoning and for medicine. 
Medicinal extracts and canned fruits are prepared for the market. The pecu- 
liarity of their life, the neatness and Ihril'lincss of their grounds and builduigs, 
the natural beauty of the scenery, and the gentle courtesy of the people, draw 
many visitors to the place. When their Sunday services are public in the 
Slimmer season, their meetings are sometimes thronged by city boarders from 
the neighboring tow'ns. 

A singular man, who had some followers or dupes, formerly lived in this 
town, who has been sometimes classed with the Shakers ; but they were not 
answerable for his vagaries. His name was Shadrack Ireland, and among 



EDUCATIONAL PROdRESS. 5r.5 



other claims put forth by him was this, that he should not taste of death, but be 
translated. Strange as it may seem, there were many persons who put implicit 
faith in his pretensions. But the time came when death laid him low, and his 
disciples were deeply mortilied. To conceal his decease and prolong the 
delusion, they buried his body secretly in a field of growing corn, hoping that 
the place would not be discovered. The intention was to produce tlio impres- 
sion tliat their master had mysteriously disappeared ; but the trick was exposed. 
His abode was where the Shaker Village now is, iu their " Square house." 

Another and far different class of " peculiar people" made Harvard their 
home for a brief period, the story of whose life here has been pleasantly told 
bv the graphic pen of Miss Louisa Alcott in the book eulitlcd " Silver 
Pitchers." 

We have seen that the children were supplied with schooling, to some 
extent, while within the bounds of Lancaster. As soon as Harvard became a 
town, the education of the children was provided for in the ditFerent sections, 
iu accordance with the law. The school-houses were rude structures, and 
sometimes the schools were kept in any room which could be found in any way 
adapted to the purpose. There was a summer and a winter term ; the former 
attended by the younger children, and the hiiU'v by the yonug people of the 
district up to the age of eighteen or twenty. The social life and influence of 
those ancient schools were marked features of them. There engagements were 
made which afiected the parties through life, and their children after them. 
The educating influences of the pupils upon each other was greater than that 
of their teachers, though in a different direction. 

The history of the schools in the town cannot 1)e given at length, nor would 
it be useful, since there were no salient points in their administration. In this 
regard, Harvard was bke the other towns of the Connnouwealth. When the 
new interest in common schools was aroused by James G. Carter, George B. 
Emerson, Horace Mann and others, the people here felt the healthful influeuce, 
and were prompt to adopt all reasonable improvements. More money was 
raised, the terms were prolonged, and more highly instructed teachers were 
employed. General intelligence characterizes the inhabitants. At present, 
Harvard, with a population of 1,301, has 10 schools. The whole number of 
scholars was, in 1878, 2G3 ; giving an average to each school of about 26 ; but 
they are not equally distributed. The number of children of school age, that 
is, between five and fifteen, was 237 ; but 59 attended school who were over 
fifteen years old. The valuation of the town was $919,0.30, and the sum 
appropriated for education was $2,400, besides the expense of superintendence 
and printing. The sum expended for each child was $10.12, which is about 
the average of the county of Worcester. In the percentage of money p;iid, 
and in the average attendance of scholars, the town maintains about an average 
position. In one respect. Harvard is iu advance of most conutry towns. Like 
the cities and larger towns, it employs a superiutendcnt of schools, who, in 



560 TOWN OF HARVARD. 



connection with the school committee, has charge of all schools in the town. 
This gives unity to the system of instruction, and enables the schools to be 
judged by the same standard. The Rev. Daniel Round has occupied the 
position of superintendent several years, and he reports improvement in the 
schools to a gratifying degree. 

The Bromfiold School was founded in 1877 by Mrs. Margaret Bromfield 
Blanchard, widow of Rev. Ira II. Blanchard, formerly pastor of the Unitarian 
church. A brief account of the origin of this school will be found in the 
History of the County, under the title of Academies. It may be stated here 
that the founder gave $80,000 ; of which about $30,000 were spent in erecting 
an elegant building and putting the grounds of the old Seccombe place iu 
order. The remaiiulor of the gift is a permanent fund, the interest of which is 
devoted to the support of the school, thus placing it above local favor and 
support, and enabling the trustees and teachers to maintain a high standard. 
The courses of study have in view the "three-fold object of education ; viz., 
strength of intellect, practical power over circumstances, and enlarged capaci- 
ties for enjoyment." The school was set in operation on the 17th of Septem- 
ber, 1877, with about forty scholars, under the care of Mr. Charles W. 
Stickney as principal. Most of the pupils belong to the town, and the school 
will, in all probability, awaken in the children of the town a desire and purpose 
to secure a higher education. 

As stated on a preceding page, a change occurred in the history of the 
Congregational church in 1821. The church and the town, which was the 
parish, had reached a point of divergence, and the former Avithdrew ; that is, 
a large majority of the church, holding to the faith of the founders, began to 
hold public worship by themselves, and, with friends who sympathized with 
them, formed an ecclesiastical society. The few who remained connected 
with the old or Unitarian parish were, according to a decision of the Supreme 
Court, considered iu a legal sense the church. The ministers of that organiza- 
tion, from that time to the present, have been the following: Revs. Ira II. T. 
Blanchard, Washington Gilbert, William G. Babcock, William A. Wiiitwell, 
Henry II. Barl)cr, Jeflersou M. Fox, and the present pastor, Rev. Daniel II. 
Goddard. 

The pastors of the Orthodox church bore the following names : Rev. (George 
Fisher, who was settled about the lime the church withdrew from the old 
parish, and who continued in the pastoral oflice until September, IS.J.T ; John 
Dodge, George II. Pratt, Alfred E. Tracy and Stephen S. Morrill. The Rev. 
John II. Gurney is the present acting pastor. These two churciies have good 
houses of worship in the centre of the town, one on the north and the other on 
the south side of the common. The members of the Orthodox chnrdi number 
ninety-seven. 

By the State census of 187.') the nimibcr of dwelling-houses in the town was 
about two himdred and eighty. The number of farms was two hundred and 



AGRICULTURE. 5G7 



four, all hilt ten of which coiitaiiicd over ten ueros. The iiiinilicr of houses 
connected with farms was two hundred and seventeen, and the whole number 
of buildings, including houses, barns, shedr,, shops and so forth, was six 
hundred and fifty-one. There are over fifteen thousand acres of laud in the 
town, nearly every part of which is improvable, though nearly half is unim- 
proved ; yet Harvard is emphatically an agricultural town. One hundred 
and scveuty-tivc acres arc in orchards, and there are uljont thirty thousand 
applc-trocs. The pear and peach trees number three thousand six hundred and 
forty-eight. The grape-vines number sixteen thousand eight hundred aud forty- 
one. By "unimproved laud" is meant all land "devoted to pasturage and 
other purposes than actual cultivation." The woodland of this town comprises 
three thousand nine hundred and seventeen acres. The whole number of 
domestic animals, counting bees by swarms, w.is over eight thousand seven 
hundred. The aggregate of farm property was as follows : Number of farms, 
two hundred and four; number of buildings, six hundred aud fifty-one; vabje 
of buildings, $324,725 ; acres of land, fifteen thousaud and twenty-nine; value 
of land, S4Gl,04o ; value of farms and buildings, $785,708 ; value of fruit-trees 
and vines, $54,5 IG ; value of domestic animals, $8G,789 ; value of agricultural 
implements in use, $2G,825 ; total value of farm-property, $953,898. The 
gallons of milk numbered three hundred and forty-five thousaud three hundred 
and twenty-three, valued at $50,838. 

Forty years ago there were three paper-mills in the town, making paper 
valued at $12,750 per annum. This business is not continued. The popula- 
tion at that time was about three hundred greater than in 1875. Probably the 
loss of population is due, in great measure, to the cessation of certain kinds of 
business. The aggregate value of goods made and work done is $37,900. In 
the meantime, agriculture has improved, and the town is wealthy in comparison 
with other towns whose business is confined to the cultivation of the laud. 
The soil is remarkably good for tillage and pasturage, and the intervale lands 
on the east bank of the Nashua arc like those of the Counecticut V^alley in 
productiveness. The farmers of Harvard have enough capital invested in 
bonds, stocks and other securities, to build up dlflTerent branches of business 
and make their town populous, if invested in establishments at home, but 
perhaps their individual comfort would not thereby be increased. Some of the 
farms in this town arc unsurpassed in regard to their management and 
productiveness. Without makmg invidious distinctions, one or two may be 
referred to as favorable specimens of many others. The farm of Mr. Andrew 
Fairbauk, one of the wealthiest farmers in the town, may be regarded as a 
model in its way. Among the many pleasant old ancestral abodes in Harvard, 
perhaps none exceeds in charming characteristics that of Mr. Luke Whitney, 
on Bear Hill. The farm of Mr. Samuel F. Whitney, in the eastcru section of 
the town, is another which delights the visitor as well as the owner, aud is 
fitted to inspire the young agriculturist with confidence and hope. His barn, 



568 TOWN OF HARVARD. 

which is 111) iiulieiition of his st^le of farming, is said to he the hirgest and in 
every way the best appointed in the eonnty of Worcester. 

The general feeling of indignation tliat pervaded the Xorth when Fort Sum- 
ter was bombarded Ity the rebels, was fully participated in by the people of 
Harvard, and their patriotism did not falter until the rebellion was subdued, 
and the Union Hag again floated over the entire nation. The public sentiment 
immediately found expression in the family, in the stores and places of meet- 
ing, in the churches on the Sabbath, and in assemblies of the citizens. On the 
20th of April, :i legal town meeting was held, when the Rev. Mr. Whitwcll 
presented the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted : "Voted, 
That the citizens of Harvard, in town meeting assembled, hereby vote to 
appropriate four thousand dollars for the purpose of equipping and paying a 
bounty to soldiers who may volunteer their services to suppress the present 
rel)cliion." A committee — C. T. Savage, Cephas Houghton and William B, 
Willard — to whom the subject was referred, reported that "the town make 
up the pay of each volunteer, with what he receives from the United States, 
to the sum of twenty-two dollars a month while in actual service." This was 
unanimously adopted, and it was voted to pay each man five dollai's a month 
"for drilling at home, preparatory for service." The treasurer, who held the 
oflice through the war — Asa Daby — was authorized to borrow four thousand 
dollars. The families of the volunteers were to be well provided for, and the 
selectmen "and such persons as they may appoint, shall aid the volunteers in 
equipping and uniforming." The selectmen during the war were as follows ; 
some one j'car, and some longer: E. A. Holman, John Blauchard, AVilliam K. 
Harrod, Caleb S. Gerr\', Andrew Fairbank. The first in the list was also 
town clerk. The meeting passed the following resolution, which expressed 
the general sentiment of the town: "Resolved, That it is the duty of all 
good citizens to frown indignantly upon and follow with uncompromising hos- 
tility every individual among us, if any there be, w'ho shall express sentiments 
disloyal to the Government of the United States, or who shall synqiathizo with 
the plotters of treason and bloodshed." 

In 1802, July 24, a bounty of one hundred dollars was "authorized to be 
paid to each volunteer enlisting to the credit of the town." A commiltec was 
chosen to enlist recruits, and if not found in Harvard they were "to enlist them 
from any source where they could be found." The treasurer was authorized 
to borrow two thousand dollars, and resolutions were passed expressing entire 
confidence in the ability and honesty of President Lincoln, and the fixed pur- 
pose to "stand by him to the end of this infernal war." A bounty of one 
himdrcd dollars was oflercd to volunteers. On the twenty-fifth of August it 
was voted to pay a bounty of one hundred and fifty dollars to each volunteer 
for three years, and of one hundred dollars to volunteers for nine months. It 
was also voted to "assume the responsibility of the payment of the fifty dol- 



SUPPORT OF THE WAR. 5Gtt 

lars each subscribctl for them." Autl hi December three htiiulied doUars wore 
voted to the Sanitary Commission. 

On the 7th of March, 18G3, tlnec huiulrcd dolhirs were apiiropriated to 
the Sokliers' Aid Society for the benefit of the soldiers. The society raised 
considerable sums by associated eiVort. It was voted, June 7, to "pay each 
man who volunteers to the quota of Harvard, one hundred and twenty-live dol- 
lars." In the year 18G4 the same liberal spirit prevailed, and on the 7th of 
June, at an informal meeting, it Tvas voted to raise by a separate tax, the sum 
of $2,550 to pay a bounty to each of the men drafted to fill the c^uota of the 
town, and a bounty for seven volunteers. 

During the war the town furnished one hundred and twenty-nine men for 
the public service, which was a surplus of twelve above all demands. Four 
were commissioned officers. The amount of money raised by the town for 
war purposes, was $17,001'. 15. The amount paid for State aid to the families 
of soldiers was $5,174.09. The sura raised by private subscription was over 
$1,800 ; making a total amount of $23,983.2-1. 

The following fact furnished by Rev. John B. "Willard, whose suggestions 
and corrections are gratefully acknowdedged, will bo read with interest by all 
who respect the memory of Maj. Willard. " The place now most nearly con- 
nected with name and memory of the 'famous Maj. Simon Willard,' is the 
delightful old homestead now standing at the head of Still River Village, at the 
corner turning to the centre of Harvard. It has descended in a direct line 
from the major and his son Henry through six generations, and now is the 
possession of the seventh, the heirs of the late Luther Willard. In remodel- 
ing a room of the old house in 1876, many very old records were found writ- 
ten on the uncovered timbers, the oldest was 'Jan. 7th, 1G86, deep snow.'" 
It may be also stated, as an interesting f:ict, that the Rev. George W. Sam- 
son, son of the Rev. "Abishai" Samson, who was born in 1820, graduated at 
Brown University in 1839, and was, at one time, president of Columbian Col- 
lege, at Washington, is a native of Still River Village. 



570 TOWN OF HOLDEN. 



H O L D E N, 



BY MAJ. ISAAC DAMON. 



CHAPTER I. 

OKIGIX OF THE TOWN BOUNDARIES AND EXTENT NATURAL FEATURES 

POPULATION AND GROWTH — MILITARY AND WAR HISTORY CIIURCHES AND 

CHURCH BUILDINGS — MINISTERIAL RECORD. 

The earliest authentic iiccomits ami records in reference to the tract of land 
now forming the township of Ilolden, arc sul)stantially included in the history 
of "Worcester, the district heing at first called "Worcester North Half," or 
"North Worcester." On the 13lh May, 1740, a petition signed by twenty-five 
citizens of North AVorcester was presented to the General Court, praying for 
the place to bo set off a separate town. This petition was not successful. At 
the next session of the General Court, in November following, another petition 
was presented ; and this time the petitioners were granted an act of incorpora- 
tion. 

The act passed the General Court, Jan. 2, and was signed by His Excellency 
Governor Belcher, Jan. 9, 1741. Thus the north half of Worcester became 
a distinct town by the name of Holden ; so called in honor of Hon. Samuel 
Holden, a London merchant and a member of parliament, who had directed 
his benevolent eflbrts to the help of the Colonies of New England. 

Since the incorporation of the town, several hmulrcd acres have been set olT 
to help form the towns of Paxton and West Boylston ; the first portion being 
taken in 17(J5, and the section for West Boylston in 1808. The present 
^boundaries of Holden arc : north-westerly by Rutland and Princeton ; north- 
easterly i)y Sterling and West Boylston; south-easterly by Worcester; and 
south-westerly by Paxton and Rutland. The township contains about 22,000 
acres. 

The surface is well diversified with hills and valleys. Much of the soil is 
lio-ht and porous, but it is very variable ; and probably there is not an area (jf 
fifty acres is the town that shows a homogeneous soil or a wholly plain surfiice. 
Many of the smaller hills, especially in the northern part of the town, possess 
a springy soil and make excellent grass farms. The products arc nearly the 



NATURAL FEATURES. 571 



same as in other towns of Worcester County ; and all the forest trees common 
to IMassachiisctts are to be found within its limits. Twenty-live years ago 
there was a large amount of fine wood and timln-r. The good market which 
the 'Ti-owiug city of Worcester afforded for this product caused many a farmer 
to neglect the cultivation of his farm, and devote much of his time to cntting 
and maiketing wood. Although this appeared an easy way of securing a few 
hundred dollars, yet it was not without evil results, as is phiinly seen by the 
decrease in the number of cattle kept, and the diminished productiveness of 
the soil. 

Among the prominent hills in town are the following. Maiden Hill (called 
by the early settlers, Mount Carmel), situated in the east part of the town, is 
mostly covered with a young growth of wood ; the older growth having been 
cut off. A granite quarry has been worked to some extent on the easterly 
side of this hill. 

Pleasant Hill, in the north-easterly part, as tradition reports, was formerly an 
Indian camping-ground. The soil is rich, and produces good crops of grain 
and grass. Grape-vine Hill, in the north-west, is especially adapted to tillage 
and pasturage. 

Champlain Hill, in the westerly part, was so called from the fact that when 
first visited by early settlers, several acres were found upon it, already clear 
of forest trees. 

Pine Hill, lying partly in Paxtou and partly in Holden, was formerly valued 
for its growth of pine timber. 

Asucbumskit Hill, situated in the south-west part of the town, is said to be 
the highest point of land in Worcester County, except Mount Wachusett. 
Cultivated iields and pasture lands extend to its very summit, from which a 
fine view of the surrounding country may be obtained. Irou-ore and sulphur 
abound in this and Pine Hill. 

Stone-house Hill, so called in consequence of a natural house or shed formed 
by an immense overhanging rock, is in the south part of the town. Its steep, 
rocky, and often precipitous sides render it unfit for cultivation, and several 
hundred acres are covered with wood, mostly of oak and chestnut. Stone- 
house was made a place of rendezvous, during the period of Shays' Rebellion, 
by the "regulators." 

The principal river in Holden is the Quinnepoxet. It is formed by three 
branches : (1) North Quinnepoxet River, formed by streams issuing from 
Quinnepoxet Pond (lying partly in Princeton and partly in Iloldeu), and 
Muscopauge Pond in Rutland. The waters of this branch furnish motive- 
power fo" Austin's saw-mill, planing and box mill, the factories at North 
Woods and Quinnepoxet. It afterward unites with the following: (2) South 
Quinnepoxet, which rises in the Asnebumskit Pond in Paxton. The last men- 
tioned stream furnishes motive-power for the factories at Eagleville, Jefferson- 
villo and Lovcllville, and unites with the North Quinnepoxet in Nichols's 



572 TOWN OF IIOLDEN. 



Intervale, just below Lovellvillc mill. (3) Cedar Swamp Brook. This is 
formed by Moss Brook, in the sonliierly i)art of the town, joined by many 
springs; it passes Moss Brook mills, Cliatliiivillo, IIowu's shoddy and saw mill, 
and Unionville, uniting with the Quinnopoxet iu the Estabrook intervale so 
called. This river, thence passing Harris's grist-mill and Si)ring Dale factory, 
becomes a branch of the Nashua River which empties into the Merrimac near 
Nashua, N. H. 

From the same meadow in which the second branch of the river just 
described rises, issues a small stream which flows south-easterly through the 
Flagg meadows and reservoir, and becomes u tributary to the Blackstone River. 
The surfoce of Quiuuepoxct Pond is 717 feet above tide water, and its water 
falls 234 feet before it crosses the line of West Boylston. 

Besides the streams already mentioned, there is a small one called Trout 
Brook, rising in Princeton and flowing through the north-easterly i>art of 
lioldou, \vhich unites with the Quinnepoxct. These several streams furnish 
abundant motive-power for manufacturing purposes. 

Having thus glanced at the natural features of the town, let us look briefly 
at its early history. There are no records that lead one to conclude that any 
settlemenls were made iu Wi-rccster North Half previous to 1722, the year in 
which AVorcester was itself incorporated. The (irst setllcment within the limits 
of Holdcu was probably made in 1723, by Mr. Jonas Rice, a citizen of South 
Worcester, who discovered limestone in the easterly part of the town, upon 
what is now known as the BuUard farm. The number of inhabilauts at the 
time of its incorporation is not known, but judging by the number of signers 
of the petitiou for incorporation (only tweuty-flve) , it must have been quite 
small. 

The first census of the town was taken iu 1765, twenty-four years after its 
formation, which showed seventy-five families with 495 persons. In 1773, 
there were 520 pei'sons ; and each census taken since that time shows a 
gradual increase iu population. In 1840, there were 1,874; iu 18G0, 1,945; 
in 1870, 2,082 ; and in 1875, 2,180. A similar increase is shown in the valu- 
ation of real and personal property. 

In the early records of the town, there are constant references to military 
afliiirs. The citizens were often called to practical exhibitions of their 
patriotism and bravery iu their country's service. Thus, three years aftiT the 
iucorporatiou of the town, INIay 4, 1744, it voted the sum of £30 to provide 
powder, bullets and flints for town stock. That the wars among the nations 
of Europe afl"ected the welfare of the American Colonics, is made painfully 
evident as we examine their early history. That the people of Ilolden were 
not exempt, and that they showed the same spirit that characterized the early 
settlers of New England, is shown by papers deposited in our State archives, 
where we find the names of twenty-one men who served iu the French and 
Indian war. And there can be no doubt that many more soldiers from 



WAR RECORD. 573 



HoUlon. wliosc names are not found on (lie nnistcr-rolls, were really engaged 
that war, as no pains wore taken to preserve the innstor-rolls oF that time. 

Tlie same spirit of devotion to country has ever since been cherished. At 
the breaking out of the Revolutionary war, as the notes of alarm sounded 
over these hills and valleys, this town furnished a com[)any of seventy men, 
ready to leave their homes at the first call, and this at a time when the popu- 
lation was only 750 souls. Twenty-five men enlisted in the regular Continental 
ami}', under tiic immediate command of Washington, for three years or during 
the w'ar. Wherever troubles existed or dangers threatened, thither marched 
soldiers from Holden. During the year, 1777, this town paid from its treasury 
£763 Os. 12(1. to discharge its liabilities which had been incurred to eidist 
soldiers. So f\ir as is known, Thomas Heard, who fell near Saratoga, N. Y., 
was the only person killed in actual service. Capt. George Webb was the only 
commissioned otEcer in the Continental service from Holden. He was noted 
as a brave, fearless, high-spirited ofBcer. Did space permit, it would be 
interesting to trace the histoiy of each soldier who went from Holden to the 
fields of battle in Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and 
Virginia. Two soldiers, Moses Wheeler and Jeremiah Fuller, after intense 
sufiering from cold and hunger, died at Valley Forge, Fcnn. 

When eighty years had passed away, and, with the years, the noble men 
and women of the Revolutionary times, then was found in their children the 
same love of liberty and right that characterized them ; and we find the follow- 
ing recorded in Schoulei's "History of Massachusetts in the Civil War," under 
the name of our town : — 

"Population in 18G0, 1,945 ; in 1865, 1,846. Valuation in 1860, S796,813 ; in 1865, 
$853,695. 

" The first legal town raeethig to act upon matters connected with the war was held 
on the 20th of April, 1861, at which fifteen hundred dollars were appropriated 'for the 
benefit of the members of the Holden Eifle Company and their families ; the same to 
be expended under the direction of the selectmen.' [This was a company in the three 
months' service, and left for the seat of war, April 18, in the second regiment that went 
from Massachusetts.] A town meeting was held July 19, which voted ' to extend the 
hospitalities of the town to the members of the company on their return from the war.' 
One hundred dollars were appropriated for the purpose." 

As the -whole town turned out when this company left for the scat of war to 
bid them farewell and Godspeed, so likewise did they turn out to welcome 
them home. 

" Holden furnished two hundred and four (204) men for the war, which was a 
surplus of four above all demands. Eleven were commissioned officers. The whole 
amount of nionc}' appropriated and expended b^' the town on account of the war, 
exclusive of State aid, was $7,963.38, and a large amount was probably contributed by 
private subscription. The ladies of Holden on Sunday, April 21, 1861, instead of 



574 TOWN OF HOLBEX. 



going to church, met in the town hall, and worked from nine o'clock until sundown for 
the mcmliers of the rifle company which had just started for the seat of war ; and, from 
that time until Ihc close of the Rebellion, thoy laljored faithfully- for the bcnelit of the 
soldiers, sending their contributions chiefly through the Sanitary and Christian Com- 
missions." 

Soon after the close of the war, the Soldiers' Monument Association was 
formed, its object being to procure funds to secure some suitable monument to 
commemorate the fallen soldiers. The funds increased from 5'ear to year until 
1876, when they amounted to about $1,100. The town hall was extensively 
remodeled that year, and made into a memorial hall by placing tablets in the 
interior, bearing the name and date of death of each soldier who gave his life 
for his country in the late war. The four tablets arc of white marble, with 
raised letters, set as panels in a heavy frame of darker-colored marble, upon 
which t.re chiseled several beautiful designs. These tablets arc placed at the 
end of the hall, on either side of the platform, and upon them are the names 
of thirty soldiers who perished in the war. Although they are 

" Under the sod and the dew, 
Waitiug the judgmcnt-daj'," 

yet the memory of their sacrifice and noble deeds is ever fresh in the hearts 
of their ctmiradcs and fellow-citizens, and from year to year their graves are 
strewn with garlands of flowers. To narrate the deeds of valor performed, 
the suflicriug in rebel prisons, on the n)arch and on the battle-fields, would be 
only to relate the history of soldiers who went from every town and hamlet in 
the Old Bay State. The names inRcrii)cd upon the tablets arc as follows : — 
Capt. Ira J. Kelton, George T. Bigelow, Albert Creed, John Fearing. Edward 
Clark, Charles Gibbs, James W. Goodnow, James "W. Haley, Lyman E. 
Keyes, George "\V. Newell, Michael Riley, John C Savage, Amasa A. IIowc, 
George T. Johnson, John K. Houghton, William C. Perry, Levi Chamberlain, 
Frank Lumazette, Uriah Bassett, Henry M. Fales, George Thurston, Calvin 
Hubbard, Sergt. Harlan P. Moore, Winslow B. Rogers, Alfred S. Tucker, 
Henry M. Holt, H. Erskinc Black, Elishu C. Davenport, John Handley, 
Horace L. Truesdcll. 

The soldiers returning from the war formed Theron E. Hall Post 77, 
G. A. R. This post hold monthly meetings in the town hall. 

Although read}' to sacrifice their lives for liberty and right, the citizens of 
Holden have not been of a quarrelsome disposition ; for, had they been, such a 
history of the churches as follows could never have been written. The first 
meeting-house in Holden was erected prior to the incorporation of the town, in 
1737, on the spot now occupied by the house of Maj. Isaac Damon. The 
building was fifty feet long, forty wide, and twenty-two feet between the 
joints. The house was never painted ; the windows were small and set with 
diamond glass in leaden sashes. March 26, 1741, the inhabitants assembled 



CHURCH inSTORY. 575 



in town inectin<r fur tlic choice of ofBccrs; aiul two weeks later another meet- 
ing was eallctl to transact other town business. Six votes arc recorded as 
having passed on this occasion. The first vote passed is certainly worthy of 
mention: "Voted, to liavo the gospel preached in town ;" and the two follow- 
ing votes relate to the same subject. The town by a unanimous vote, July ID, 
1742, invited the Rev. Joseph Davis to cuter upon the gospel ministry in 
town. A salary of £180 (old tenor, $154.33) was voted to be annually paid 
to him, and the sum of £100 (old tenor, $343) as a settlement donation. 

The exercises of Mv. Davis's ordination were had Dec. 22, 1742, and his 
connection with the church continued until January, 1773, when he was dis- 
missed at his own request, having served a pastorate of over thirty years. 

AUhougli a meeting-house was built in 1737, no church was formed until the 
day that Mr. Davis was settled as pastor, at which time a church was regularly 
organized, consisting of fourteen members, all of whom were males. What 
the character of the preaching in those early times was, may bo learned by the 
records in the proprietors' books : "Dec. 29, 173G. Voted, That provision be 
made for supporting an orthodox minister to preach the gospel in the North 
Half for three years next to come." 

After the dismissal of Mr. Davis, the church was nearly two years without 
a pastor. Deo. 21, 1774, Mr. Joseph Avery, having received a call from the 
church and town, was ordained as his successor. His annual salary was fixed 
at £0G 13s. Ad. ($222.22), and the sum of £133 65. Sd. ($444.44) was voted 
as a settlement donation. The first house of worship showing signs of decay, 
it was voted, Dec. 10, 1787, to build a new house, which was erected in 1789. 
This house was extensively remodeled in 1827-8. An acre of land on which 
this house stands was given to the town for a public common in 1789 by Hon. 
John Hancock. In this place, a few words may well be said for Mr. Averv, 
who for so many years participated in the joys and sorrows of the people of 
this town. He was a son of "William Avery, South Parish, Dedham, and was 
born Oct. 14, 1751. He entered Cambridge University when in his sixteenth 
year, and graduated with honor in 1771. In 1777, he was married to a niece 
of Samuel Adams. His custom was to Avrite his sermons, and, during his 
labors here, he wrote more than tweuty-three hundred. He held the ofBco of 
sole pastor till Oct. 22, 1823, aud that of senior pastor until his death, March 
5, 1824, at the age of seventy-two years. Rev. Horatio Bardwell was installed 
junior pastor, Oct. 22, 1823, and was dismissed on the day of the ordination 
of Rev. William P. Paine, Oct. 24, 1833. Mr. Paine began his labors iu 
Holden at a time when the temperance question was much agitated, and the 
contest was sharp. With what wisdom and skill he directed the ship of the 
church through those troublous times can bo judged by his long-continued 
service. Many pages might be well devoted to the history of this good man. 
Mr. Paine was born at Ashfield, Aug. 1, 1802; entered Amherst College in 
1823 ; graduated at Andovcr Theological Scmiuary in 1832 ; was settled in 



570 TOWN OF IIOLDEN. 



Holdeu, Oct. 24, 1833, aud was married in the following Jnne to Miss Sarah 
M. Maik of Plainfield, Mass. She was a noble Christian woman, in every 
way fitted to he the wife of such a man ; loved and respected hy all, both old 
and jonng; a woman who 8\'mpathized with and consoled those in sorrow and 
trouble, rejoiced with the glad and happy, with the rare faculty of adapting 
herself to the needs of all classes and conditions of the people, ever making 
those around her happier and better. After many years of usefulness, she was 
called to her reward, Oct. 3, 18G8, at the ago of fifty-nine years. Mr. Paine 
was a man of rare qualities, — one who ever kept abreast with the times, — 
always progressive, always interested in whatever related to the welfare of his 
people, and ever endeavoring to guide them in the best paths. Soon after his 
settlement in town, he was chosen chairman of the school committee, and for 
over thirty-four years occupied that position. lie aided much in promoting 
the prosperity of the schools, both common and select. During liis pastorate, 
there were received into his church 4G2 members ; he officiated at 348 
weddings, attended more than 1,000 funerals, and preached more than 4,000 
sermons. During his pastorate, at least eleven of the sons of Holden received 
a college education (as several others had previously done), seven became 
ministers of the gospel, and seven young women married ministers.* As 
Mr. Paine was so long connected with the schools, he became acquainted with 
nearly every child in town, aud, with his genial, pleasant manners, won the 
love of all the young, and seemed as a father to the generation which grew up 
after he came among this people. After forty-two years, when his physical 
condition would no longer permit him to labor, he asked to be released from 
his position as pastor. 

Among a series of resolutions, passed at a meeting of the society, held April 
6, 1875, to take action in regard to his resignation, we find the following: 

'■'Resolved, That in view of the circumstances under which this resignation has been 
offered, it be accepted, so far as to release oiir Pastor from all care and responsibility', 
and the Parish from all financial obligations, and that he remain Pastor Emeritus." 

Thus he remained pastor until he rested from his labors, Nov. 28, 187(3. 
Upon a plain marble shaft in Grove Cemetery is this simple inscription : 

nEV. WILLIAM p. PAINE, D. D., 
BORN AUG. 1st, 1802, 

DIED NOV. 28Tn, 187G. 

At the close of Mr. Paine's ministry, during the one hundred aud thirty- 
three years of the history of the church, only fmir pastors had occupied its 
desk. Since the death of Mr. Paine this church has had no settled pastor; 
but the pulpit was occupied from M.ny, 1875, until January, 1877, by Rev. 

• Eleven persons bare Ijccn sent out from here ns missionaries ; probably few cbiircbes can 
faruisb a record of numbers for sucli service eqnal to tbia. 



NEWER CHURCHES. 577 



William A. Lamb, and from April 1, 1877 to the present time (1879) by Rev. 
H. M. Roijers. 

The forlioth anuiversary of Mr. Paine's settlement was appropriately 
observed Oct. 24, 1873; all former members of the church, i)arish or congre- 
gation, or residents of the town, were invited to l>c present, and the old church 
was filled to overflowiug with friends of the pastor. The ceremonies were 
deeply interesting, and will long be remembered by those present. The 
meeting-house, which was built in 1789 and remodeled in 1827-8, was again 
extensively improved in 1874, at a cost of $6,428.32, making it one of the 
pleasantest and most convenient churches to be found in any country town of 
Massachusetts. The house was re-dedicated with appropriate cxerciBes, Dec. 
30, 1874. The old bell which had so often summoned the people to worship 
became cracked, and was replaced l)y a new one in 1876. 

The records of the Baptist society commence June 4, 1804. This society, 
being regarded as a branch of the Baptist church of Tcmpletou, Rev. Elisha 
Andrews, pastor of the Templeton Baptist church, preached once in four or 
five weeks for several years, before the church was organized in Holden. 
This branch became a distinct church Dec. 31, 1807, with forty-seven members, 
by the name of the Baptist church of Ilolden. Although the church was 
formed in 1807, not until 1820 was there any Baptist meeting-house in town. 
Previous to 1813 Rev. Thomas Marshall and Rev. Mr. Andrews preached to 
this peoi)le from time to time. Rev. Thomas Marshall was ordained Sept. 15, 
1813, and preached until 1818, when Rev. John Walker was recognized as 
the pastor of the church, which relation continued until April 1, 1831. Since 
1831 the following ministers of the gospel have occupied the pulpit of the 
Baptist church: Rev. Appleton Belknap, from June 13, 1832, to Oct. 27, 
1833; Rev. George Waters, from Sept. 25, 1834, to March 31, 1838; Rev. 
Samuel Everett, from Aug. 9, 1838, to April 19, 1839 ; Rev. Andrew Pollard, 
from Aug. 12, 1840, to March, 1843; Rev. Woodman H. Watson, from June 
21, 1843, to April IG, 1847. 

Rev. J. II. Tilton, installed Nov. 17, 1847, after a successful pastorate of 
five years, resigned Sept. 1, 1852. During his pastorate a parsonage was 
built, and extensive repairs upon the church were made. 

Rev. Andrew Dunn occupied the pulpit for about a year, from Jan. 23, 
1853; Rev. T. C. Tinglcy from June, 1854, to Jan. 5, 1857; Rev. J. H. 
Tilton (second pastorate), from March, 1857, to April 3, 1859; Rev. Lester 
Williams was called to the pastorate in July, 1859, and held that relation until 
his appointment to a chaplaincy in the army in 1865 ; Rev. John S. Haraden, 
from April 3, 1865, to Sept. 1, 1868 ; Rev. George W. Keuney, from Feb. 5, 
1869, to July 1, 1871 ; Rev. John Rounds was pastor for two years from July 
1, 1872, to July 1, 1874. During his ministry the church was remodeled and 
refurnished, and a new organ procured at an expense of $3,700. Rev. John 
K. Chase, installed Nov. 1, 1874, resigned April 30, 1879. During his stay a 



578 TOWN OF HOLDEN. 



bell and clock, the latter being the gift of J. W. Howe, Esq., of Worcester, 
were phiced in the tower of the chiinh, and an iiulclitcdncss of $2,000 vras also 
canceled. 

The First Congregational and the Baptist were the only churches in Holden 
until 18G8, when the Catholic chtnvli was l)uilt at a cost of $3,500, and was 
dedicated Aug. 16, 1808. Rev. Father Thomas GrifBn of Worcester was 
very active in procuring means for the building of this house, and it was mainly 
through his efforts that it was accomplished. In 1876 a vestry was added to 
the church, and the main building enlarged to its present dimensions, thirty- 
five by eighty feet, with a seating capacity of about five hundred ; the entire 
cost of the building being about $7,000. Rev. Father Thomas Welsh of 
Worcester now oflSciates. 



CHAPTER II. 

EDUCATIONAL PROCEEDINGS — MANUFACTURES — MILLS AND FACTORIES — HIGH- 
WAYS — RAILROADS — TOWN HALL — SOCIETIES AND CLUBS — MISSIONARIES 
AND OTHER CELEBRATED PERSONS — TOWN HISTORY. 

When the citizens of Ilolden were legally incorporated as a town the 
worship of God was 

" First in their noWe tboiights and plans, 
Then the strong traiuiug of tlieir youth," 

and the fourth vote passed after the choice of officers was "to have a Avriting 
and reading school," and a tax was levied to raise £50 for the support of the 
preaching and schooling. This vote passed May 19, 1741. A century passed, 
and in town meeting March 15, 1841, it was "Voted, to raise $800 for schools 
the ensuing year." "Voted, that it be divided with all other funds from town 
or State, as last year, by the selectmen and assessors." Each year intervening 
between 1741 and 1841 witnessed a sin\ilar vote, and it would appear that it 
became .an established method of procedure to do as last year respecting 
schools, except that the amount raised for schools gradually increased with the 
population. There is a school fund of about $3,400, the avails of public lands 
granted to the town by original i)roprietors, the interest of which ($202 
annually) is appropriated to the schools. The town now supjjorls twelve 
schools for thirty weeks a year, at a cost, including funds from State and other 
sources, of about $3,500 annuall}'. There arc 520 children between the ages 
of five and fifteen years. While the schools in some parts of the town have 
increased in number of scholars, others have diminished, until but four or 
five children of school ago can be found in some districts where, thirty 
years ago, were from fifty to sixty scholars. School-houses have beeu built 



MANUFACTURES. 57!) 



from time to lime, iis tlicy were required, to talce the plaee of (iioso deeayeJ, 
or to aceommodate the iiiereusiiijx iniml)er of wehoiars. The last school-house, 
erected in 1878, was built in the neighborhood of the Bulhird farm, where, 
tradition reports, the first school-house in town was built, more than one 
hundred (uid twenty years ago. 

The history of the manufactures of Holden may be easily traced if we take 
each village separately. Unionville Factory, situated one and a half miles east 
from the centre of the town, was the first built. In 1809 Messrs. Eleazer 
Rider & Son commenced spinning cotton-yarn at this place. These gentlemen 
were among the first, if not the first, manufacturers of cotton yarn in Worcester 
County. In 1822 weaving by power-looms commenced, and John Lees, the 
owner of the mill at that time, manufactured cotton cloth. The factory is now 
owned by Mr. C. L. Truchon, who employs twenty-seven hands, runs fifteen 
hundred spindles, and uses 130,000 pounds of cotton annually in the manufacture 
of cotton yarn. The factory and village remain much the same as forty years 
ago. 

One mile north from the centre of the town is Eagleville Factory, owned by 
Milton S. Morse, and run iiy Mr. Gates Chapman, agent. In 1831 Mr. 
Samuel ClarU purchased the saw and grist mills then standing, of Mr. Caleb 
Kendall, and erected a small factory the same year. This mill was burned in 
1834, and was rebuilt in 1835, and has been enlarged from time to time till it has 
reached its present dimensions. In 1810 it contained sixteen hundred spindles 
and forty looms, and manufactured 275,000 yards of sheeting annually. 
It now contains five thousand spindles, employs seventy-two hands, uses 
four hundred and seventy bales of cotton, and manufactures 1,250,000 yards 
of prints and light sheeting yearly ; which is two hundred thousand yards more 
than all the mills in town manufactured in 1840. In this village is found a 
hotel, store and livery-stable. 

About half a mile north of Eagleville lies the pleasant village of Jcfferson- 
ville. formerly known as Drydenvillc. In 1825, a small factory, containing 

one hundred and eighty spindles and eight Ifioms, was built by Morse, 

and then bought by Mr. John Jephardson, and used for the manufacture of 
satinet. About the same time another factory was built by Col. Artemas Dry- 
den, which contained three bundled spindles and eight looms. Previous to 
1830, Col. Dryden manufactured woolen-carding machines at this place. These 
mills have either been lemoved or greatly enlarged, until now there are two 
fine mills owned by Messrs. Howe & Jefferson, who furnish employment for 
over hundred and fifty hands in the manufacture of fancy cassimeres and heavy 
beavers. Mill No. 1, which was formerly the cotton-mill, contains three sets 
of machinery and makes heavy beavers ; while mill No. 2 contains four sets of 
machinery in the manufacture of fancy cassimcres. Over five hundred thou- 
sand yards of cloth are made annually at these mills. JefFersonville i-> well sit- 
uated, near the railroad; is always well kept; contains a post-ofBce, store and 



580 TOWN OF IIOLDEX. 



provision market. The store alluJeJ to was built in 1874-5, and lias been 
occvipied since May, 1875, by Mr. Giistaviis Hokloii, who bei^an witli a busi- 
ness of about $1 5,000 [wv year, wliiL-h has inercascd to $40,000 per annum. 

On (he North Quiuncpoxot River, three miles from the centre of Ilolden, is 
situated tlie North AVoods factory and village. It was built by B. T. South- 
gate, for tlie inanufaclurc of wo(jlen go:)ds. i)ut was changed to cottons by Wil- 
liam Bufl'imi, iu 1827. In 1840, it contained fourteen hundred and eighty 
spindles and forty loams, and turned out about two hundred and fifty thousand 
yards of shirting yearly. It is now owned I)y the West Boylston Manufactur- 
ing Company, contains twenty-four hundred spindles, sevent3'-four looms, 
employs thirty-five hands, and n)anufactures nearly 1,000,000 yai'ds of prints 
each year. 

The factory in Quinnepoxetville was built by S. Damon, Esq., during the 
summer of 1S31. In 1840, it contained fourteen hundred spindles and forty 
looms ; and manufactured two hundred and fifty thousand yards of sheeting 
per year. May 28, 1809, this mill was destroyed by fire; but was soon 
replaced by the present fine three-<tory brick building. The present owner — 
Mr. Cyrus G.' Woods of Uxbridge — has made improvemtmts in and about the 
factor}', and made the village nuuh more attractive than foimerly. Mr. 
Woods emploN^s sixty-five hands, runs five sets of maehiner}' and manufactures 
five hundred and ten tliousand vards of the different grades of satinets anuu- 
ally. 

Lovellville flictory is situated on the South Quinnepoxet, about half a mile 
from Quinnepoxetville, and just above the Junction of the two branches of the 
Quinnepoxet River. Dea. John Lovell ran this mill for many years, manufac- 
turing cotton-liatting and candle-wicking. Afterwards he ran a cardiug- 
machine for custom-work. This mill has often changed owners during the last 
twenty years, and is now in the possession of the Lovell AVoolen Company, 
and is run by Messrs.- Klcbart & Findeisen, who manufacture fancy union 
cassimeres to the amount of two hundred and seventy thousand yards per 
year. The mill contains three sets of machinery and furnishes emploj'ment 
for seventy-five or eighty hands. 

A mile and a half south-east from the coniro of the town, on a small stream, 
is Moss Brook Mill. The mill was built by Mr. Wood, and used in the mak- 
ing of shingles. Afler passing through many hands and being used for the 
manufacture of various articles, it came into the hands of the present owner, 
Mr. Charles Dawson, in 18G!). I\Ir. Dawson has expended considerable money 
in enlarging the mill, putting in an engine, erecting new buildings and tene- 
ment houses, and improving the place, until it has become the pleasant little 
village of to-day. This mill contains three sets of machinery, furnishing 
employment for forty-two hands and manufactures three hundred and forty 
thousand yards of satinets yearly. 

At Cbaffinville is a grist-mill and a one-set mill, built about sixty years ago, 



LOCAL NOTES. 581 



which employs nine hands antl turns out about (ifty Ihousaiul yarJs of satinets 
yearly. 

One of the most attracti%'c mills in Ilolden — Spring Dale Mill — was built 
in 1875-6. i)y Mr. L. J. Smith of West Boylston. It is situated on the Quinne- 
poxct River, a short distance from the West Bctylston line. It is built of 
granite quarried near the mill, contains three sets of machinery, and manufac- 
tures about two hundred and fifty thousand yards of fancy cassimercs annually, 
furnishing employment for thirty-five hands. 

The total amount of cloth of the various kinds manufactured in Ilolden, is 
about 4,170,000 yards annually, which is an increase of fourfold within the 
last forty years. Over five hundred persons arc furnished with employment 
in the mills. 

Besides those described there arc in town two grist-mills, three saw-mills 
and two shoddy-mills. 

Before any portion of the township had become the private property of 
individuals, while it was still a part of Worcester, to facilitate settlements the 
proprietors appointed a committee to lay out four public roads, six rods wide, 
from the centre of North Worcester (now Ilolden), in such ways as would be 
most serviceable to said " Half Part" and the adjoining towns. These roads 
were laid out, and from that time roads have multiplied until there are now 
about one hundred and twelve miles of highways within its limits. 

Until 1872, there was no railroad passing through the town when the Boston, 
Barre and Clardner Eailroad began operations. On this railroad is a depot 
near the centre of Holdcu, and another at fTofr(>rsouvi]le ; also three "flag-sta- 
tions." When the project of a new railroad was presented to the citizens of 
the town, and the many advantages to be derived from it set forth, the people 
became enthusiastic, and, with their usual liberality, voted in town meeting to 
take $44,800 f)f stock, or five per cent, of the valuation of the town, besides 
much stock that was taken by private individuals. Previous to the i)uilding 
of the railroad, jiublic conveyance between Ilolden and Worcester, and Rut- 
land, Ilubbardston and Barre, was the stage-coach, which ran daily and carried 
the United States mall. 

The effects of the great earthquake which occurred Nov. 15, 1755, the shock 
of which was felt in various parts of North America, are still visible in the 
easterly part of this town. 

In June, 1871, a tornado passed through the town, completely demolishing 
several buildings, unroofing others, throwing down chimneys, uprooting trees, 
and spreading destruction in its path. A little west of the centre of the town, 
where it passed through a piece of heavy timber, not a tree was left standing 
in its path. No lives were lost. 

Previous to the year 1837, town meetings and other public meetings were 
held in the Congregational church. During the year 1837, a town hall, sixty 
by thirty-eight feet, including the piazza, was built at a cost of $3,869.58. 



582 TOWN OF HOLDEN. 

This building was repaired, from time to time, until 1876, when it was enlarged 
and generally remodeled. This was done at an expense of $4,202.42, making 
it one of the pleasantest halls to bo found in a country town. The main room 
was made into a memorial hall, as stated elsewhere. One rooni in the build- 
ing was littcd up for the lii)rary of the Holden Library Association, an active 
organization, formed in 187(5. This association has a small library which is 
well patronized. 

ISIany clubs and associations have been formed in town, and, after serving 
the purpose for which they were intended, have become extinct. The oldest 
association now existing, except the churches, is the Thief-Detecting Society, 
which was formed Feb. 23, 1818. For several years this society has held but 
one meeting in each year, and it has probaldy outlived its day of usefulness. 

The Holdeii Farmers' and Mechanics' Club was formed about twenty years 
ago. The club holds semi-monthly meetings during the winter months, for 
di>cussions and literary entertainments. In the autumn it usually has an agri- 
cultural fair. The Grangers also have an organization. 

Of the many men and women who have gone out from Ilolden to other fields 
of lal)or, we will mention only a few. Dea. Isaac Fisk, son of Nahum Fisk, 
boru in 1790, married the daiigliter of Ethan Davis, Esq., and went as lay- 
missionary to the Choctaw Indians, in 1819. 

Miss Abigail P. Davis, granddaughter of the first minister of Ilolden, mar- 
ried the Rev. William Goodcll, a graduate of Dartmouth College, and went as 
missionary, under the patronage of the A. B. C. F. M., to Beyroot, in 1822; 
afterwards they were removed to Malta, and from thence to Constautinoplo. 

Miss Hannah Davis, daughter of Ethan Davis, Esq., born Feb. 20,1805, 
married Rev. Alden Grout, and, in 1834, went to labor among the Zulus in 
South Africa. Mrs. Grout lived but about a year after her arrival iu Africa. 
Mr. Grout returned to this country on account of wars among the Zulus, and 
married Miss Charlotte Bailey daughter of James Bailey of Ilolden. They 
returned to their field of labor in South Africa, in 1840. 

Mr. Edward Bailey, son of James Bailey, married Caroline Hubbard, daugh- 
ter of Jonas IIubl>ard, all of Holden. Tliey embarked at Boston for the Sand- 
wich Islands, Dec. 14, 183G, where for many years they engaged in missionary 
labor. They still reside on the island of Mani, where his sous control a large 
sugar plantation. 

Miss Myni Fairbanks, d.'uighter of Dea. Joshua Fairl)anks, married Rev. 
Cushing Eells, a native of Biaudford, Mass., and engaged in missionary labor 
among the Flathead Indians, living west of the Rocky Mountains, in 1838. 

Mrs. Goddard, daughter of Mr. Asa Abbott, went as missionary to China, 
under the patronage of the American Bajitist Board of Missions. 

Rev. Samuel C. Damon, sou of Col. Samuel Damon, was born in Ilolden, 
Feb. 15, 1815. When the one hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of 
Holden was celebrated, Mr. Damon delivered the address, and afterwards 



CITIZENS OF NOTE. 583 



wrote (he "History of IloUleii," which was [)iil)ii.shcd in 1841 ; .-uul it is from 
this interesting vohime that marly ail the foregoing facts relating to the town 
dnring its lirst hundred years of existence are taken. lie was ordained to the 
ministry, Sept. 15, 1841, and sailed for Ilonolidn, Fel). 15, 1842, under the 
luispiees of the Seaman's Friend Society, where he has remained as seaman's 
chaplain. He has also been for many years editor of a paper published at 
Honolulu. 

Miss Isabel Davis, daughter of Jones Davis, married James F. Clarke, and 
went as missionary to Turkey, where they are now laborin"'. 

Many others — whose names and histories must remain for a more complete 
work — are equally worthy of mention, who have gone to almost every State 
iu the Uuiou and all countries, to settle in new fields of labor. 



584 TOWN OF IIUBBARDSTON. 



HUBBARDSTON 



BY WILLIAM BENNETT. 



CHAPTER I. 

LOCATION AND SURFACE ORIGIN OF TOWNSHIP TROPKIETOKS' DOINGS 

FIIiST SETTLERS — INCORPORATION GROWTH OF THE PLACE WILD BEASTS 

PROMINENT MEN SENTIMENT DURING THE REVOLUTION MINCTE-MEN 

WAR OF 1S12 REBELLION RECORD QUOTA AND BOUNTIES. 

The town of Ilubbardston, lyins in Ihe iiortlicily part of Worcester County, 
is bounded north-westerly by Phillipston and Tcmpleton ; north-easterly by 
Gardner and Westminster; south-easterly by Princeton and Rutland; and 
south-westerly by Barre. Its area is differently stated at from 22,510 to 
2f),040 acres, of which 345 are used for roads. The elevation of the township 
is considerable : at the Centre Village, 9GG feet; at Lake Moosehorn the same, 
being the highest water ; at Asnaconcomic Pond, next in elevation, 000 feet ; 
while the high hills in the northern section reach some 1,120 feet, all reckoned 
from sea-level. The town lies about tifty-five miles west of Boston, and 
tncnty miles north-west of Worcester ; by which position, and its lofty ground, 
it is prevented from having any streams flowing througli it. All its waters do 
not pass into the C(jnnccticnt, as often stated, but from the soulh-east corner 
a larcje share flow out to reach the "South Wachusctt Branch" of the Nashua. 
The remainder, going northerly through Tcmpleton, help swell the Otler 
River, or else, moving south-westerly, the}' find the channel of AVarc River, 
and the same ultimate destination. 

This town is one of the final divisions of a very much larger tract which, as 
the first that is known of it, was conveyed by certain Indians, claiming to be 
owners of the soil, to Henry Willard, Joseph Rowlandson, Joseph Foster, 
Benjamin Willard and Cyprian Stevens. The consideration was £2'i, and the 
boiMidarics very ill-defined,. but it was to run "along upon Great Wachusctt," 
with the south corner "abutting upon Muscopauge Pond." This deed was 
recorded in Middlesex Registry, April 14, 1714, as sec Book 16, fol. 511. 

By subsequent divisions the origin.'d proprietors found their number increased, 
and several surveys were made for the purpose of ofTcring lots to actual 



A WILD COUNTRY. 585 



settlors. Finally, in 1749, a considerable part having been incorporated as 
Rutland I)i-<trict, the remainder was distinguished into a "North-west 
Quarter," which afterwards became Barre ; an " P]ast Wing," now part of 
Princeton ; a " West Wing," now Oakham ; and a "North-east Quarter," which 
became Hubbardston, the sul)ject of the present sUetch. It had all along 
remained one unbroken wilderness, inhabited only by wild licasts ; for there is 
no evi<lence that this vicinity had ever been the home of the Indian. No doubt 
he had jiassed often through it, had found and named its waters, as well as 
taken lish from their depths; but that he ever built a hut here, or planted any 
of the soil, is not probable. 

In 1737, however, the pi'oprictors had decided on laying out the North-east 
Quarter, and had given instructions accordingly to Abner Lee and Samuel 
AVillard, .Ir. They surveyed and numbered sixty-eight house lots, one lot of 
si.\ty acres, and one of seven acres. The house lots were subsequently divided 
to settlers, but the proprietors first ordered that No. 21 should be granted to 
"the first learned and Orthodox minister that shall be ordained and settled iu 
the place, and shall continue in the ministry there for the term of seven years, 
or to the day of his death, whichever shall first happen." They also gave No. 
W for the use of schools in the place, forever ; the lot of seven acres for a 
common and site for the meeting-house ; and the lot of sixty acres they granted 
"to Eleazer Brown, now living thereon, provided he or his heirs shall dwell 
there and keep a house for the entertainment of travelers, for the space of 
seven years." If Brown declined or refused, then the lot was to go to some 
one else on the same terms ; but he chose to accept, and actually kept his 
abode on the territory for more than nine years afterward, though he and his 
family were the only inhabitants for many miles. The proprietors admitted 
the condition fulfilled, at a meeting held Dec. 14, 1749, and confirmed the 
title accordingly. But the poor man did not see his good fortune for himself. 
He was engaged in very little but hunting in the forest, and on the 2(5th of 
November, 174G, he went out on his favorite business, but never returned. 
Fifty-three days afterward his body was found some three miles away, a deer 
b''"S '^y li™' '"i"*! ^^^ S^'" standing against a tree close by, but nothing 
appeared that could give any further explanation. 

For some time after this the few who came seem to have been hunters, with 
or without families, who were attracted by the abundant large game that here 
appeared. Such was Israel Green, who arrived in 1749, and took up some 
good land, but never cultivated it, preferring to hunt bears, for whose destruc- 
tion ho became very fiimous. At last, in 17G1-G2, there came hero Joseph 
Grimes, from Tcwkshury, and Stephen Ileald and Asa Iloyt from Rutland, 
each with a largo family, expressly for the purpose of clearing land and 
beginning agiiculture. Heretofore every soul in the district had subsisted 
wholly on a game diet, which, perhaps, made the farmers still more welcome. 
They chose good locations and set up fiir homesteads, and, being soon followed 



586 TOWN OF HUBBARDSTOX. 

by others from surroiimling points, tried for a town organization. But the 
proprietors opposed them, and they had no success till 1700, wiien, having 
new arrivals from Leicester, Ilolden and Rutland, Ihcy renewed the effort, and 
on the 13th of June, 1767, gained an incorporation as a "district," to which, ia 
honor of Thomas Hubbard, Esq., one of the proprietors, was given the name 
of " Hul)bardston." * 

Tlic tirst meeting under the new authority was called l)y Edward Rice, 
under the warrant of John ]\Iuzzcy, Esq., of Rutland. It was held at Rice's 
own house, on Friday, July 3, and it appears that Esquire Muzzey was present 
and served as moderator. John Le Bouveau was chosen district clerk, Ezekiel 
Newton, treasurer, and Israel Green, Benjamin Noursc and Benjamin Iloyt, 
selectmen and assessors. The new board immediately called a meeting for 
July 15, for the consideration of the county road, then just laid out, and 
leading through the district from Templeton to Rutland. AVhen this meeting 
arrived, £10 were voted toward the expense of the road, as well as £10 for a 
contract to build a bridge over the branch of Ware River. This contract 
was first with Stephen Heald, but was transferied to Joshua Phillips, who 
completed the work. This road still remains, and is known as the "Old 
County Road," leading over "IMuzzey Hill." It was never either straight or 
level for any distance, yet it continued to be the traveled way for more than 
sixt}' years, being the great thoroughfare for all the teams and stages passing 
from Vermont through Keene to Worcester. 

Such were the first beginnings of this naturally wild township in its progress 
toward civilization. And when, looking back fi'oui the last periods of the 
eighteenth century, we reflect on the changes and improvements that had then 
been made, we are led to remark that few New England towns ever began and 
went forward with a more regular and constant increase in population and 
general prosperity. In 1767 there were about thirty famili-s, numbering 
probalily one hundred and fifty souls. At the first colonial census after the 
incorporation, in 1776, the population was four hundred and eighty-eight; by 
1782 the families counted up one hundred and seven ; at the first United States 
census, in 1790, the population stood at nine hundred and thirty-three; and at 
the second, in 1800, it was one thousand one hundred and thirteen. 

But the difficulties of residence were not small. For twenty j'ears after the 
incorporation the wolves were plenty, often making sad havoc among the 
sheep, and sometimes killing young cattle. Siieep could not be kept without 
the precaution of folding or housing them at night, and every night. Bounties 
■were freely offered for the destruction of the pests, being paid sometimes by 
the town and again by the Province. Most of the territory was heavily 
wooded, and in some places the forests were burned through every spring to 

* This was not, indceil, an incorporation of tlio town as audi, bnt it was all it ever bad. It 
becanio a town under the general act, piissed uinch later, which declared all incorporated districts 
to bo towns, and authorized them to scud representatives to the General Court. 



PATRIOTIC SENTIMENT. 587 



encourage the grass and herbage. Large herds of cattle were regularly driven 
up from the lower towns, and ranged anil fed in these regions all sumnicr. 

The infant settlement was encouraged in 1772 and 1773 by the arrival of 
three new-comers, destined to adtl much to the strength of the community. 
These were Isaac Bellows of Rutland, William Muzzey of Lexington, and John 
Woods of Marlborough. They removed here with each a largo family, and 
being all men of good education, clear intelligence, and all the qualities 
essential to eminent citizenship, they soon produced an impression on the 
public sentiment of the place that was not only extremely wholesome, but 
proved permanent as well. Hubbardston to-day owes much to the memory of 
these three men. Bellows was one of the first " minute men," Muzzey became 
a lieutenant, and Woods a captain, and the two last were often delegates in the 
conventions of that day. Woods being in that which ratified the Constitution of 
the United States. 

Durino- the year 1774, while the inhabitants were doing their best to finish 
the meeting-house and put a school system in working order, they were met, 
like all those around them, by the startling realities of the war of the Revolu- 
tion. In fact, the war had as good as commenced already, and the people saw 
that with their small numbers and still smaller means they would find speedy 
necessity for devoting all their money to the securing of their liberties, and 
leaving all non-essential matters to more favorable times. They were called 
upon by the most stirring appeals. The selectmen of Boston had sent circulars 
to all the towns in the Province, calling for a general expression of sentiment, 
as it was found respectively to prevail. The response of Hubbardston was 
early, and to the point : 

" We are of opinion that the Rulers first derive their power from the Ruled by certain 
laws and rules agreed to by the Rulers and Ruled ; and that the Ruled have a right to 
judge for themselves when Rulers transgress. 

" We think the Parliament of Great Britain have taxed us contrary to our chartered 
rights ; they have made our Governor independent of the people by appointing him a 
salary from home, which appears to us so big with slavery, that we think it enough to 
arouse every individual that has any ideas of arbitrary power, above the brute creation, 
to use his utmost endeavors in a lawful way, to seek redress for our injured rights and 
privileges. We think we ought, immediately, vigorously and unanimously, to exert 
ourselves in the most firm, but most peaceable manner for obtaining relief. The cause 
of Liberty is a cause of too much dignity to be sullied by disturbance and tumult. It 
ought to be maintained in a manner suitable to her nature. Those engaged in it should 
breathe a sedate, yet fervent spirit, animating us to actions of justice and bravery. A 
free people cannot be too quick in observing, nor too firm in opposing, the beginning 
of alterations in a constitution." 

Of such language the sons of Hubbardston will ever have reason to be proud, 
though it is not the most classical ; for it is good cause of pleasure that, even in 
these d:ij-s of her infancy, she had minds capable of expressing their feelings 
in words so bold and unflinching. 



588 TOWN OF IIUBBARDSTON. 

When the resolves for non-importation of British goods were submitted to 
all the towns by order of Congress, the town adopted them at once, June 14, 
1776. Wlicn next Congress appealed to the people to sa^' if the inde[)endeuce 
of the Colonies should be declared, the unanimous vote was again in the 
affirmative. And going further, they "Voted, That if Congress should so declare 
the Colonies independent of Great Britain, we, the inhabitants of this town, 
solemnly engage, with our lives and fortunes, to support them in the measure." 

This was no mere boast, for they had a company of minute-men long befoi-e 
this, and soon after the fight at Lexington. Thirty of them marched to Cam- 
bridge, many of them were at Bunker Hill, and a large share entered the army 
for a term of j'ears. The able-bodied men almost all took the field, and the 
families had to be supported on the credit of the town. 

The new Constitution of 1778 was rejected by the town, since they would 
not agree to a projiertj'' qualification of voters. But they did agree to call the 
Couveutiou of 1779, adding several sharp provisos, such as no other of the 
towns seemed to demand. They also sent Capt. John Wood as delegate, 
finding that the convention would indeed be held; and, when the result was 
submitted to the people in the Constitution of 1780, (hey ratified it with only 
one vote iu the negative. There were then about one hundred families in the 
town ; but it is doubtful if more than thirty persons were able to become quali- 
fied voters under the new regulation. 

The same loyalty characterized the people of IIiil)bardston in the war of 
1812 as iu the Revolution, though onlj' a small number enlisted. Four men 
wore all that entered the military service, two of whom died before the war 
was over, and the others returned at its close. 

But in the war of the Eebellion, this town was represented in the vcr}' first 
regiment raised by Massachusetts. IMoie of our men appeared in the second ; 
and, iu ten or twelve others that followed, more or less of them M'crc still 
to be found. The town furnished about 150 men, of whom about 100 were 
citizens. The quota was exceeded by 10 ; while, of such as went out, about 
40 never returned, but died for their country's preservation. 

The town paid for bounties $8,625, of which $2,405 was raised by sub- 
scription. 



CHAPTER II. 

FOUNDING OF THE FIRST CITURCII — REV. MR. TARKER'S MINISTRY — HIS SUC- 
CESSORS SEPARATION OF THE CHURCH — OTHER DENOMINATIONS HOUSES 

OF WORSHIP SCHOOL HISTORY "SQUADRON" SYSTEM — MANUFACTURES 

POTASH BUSINESS POST-OFFICE MAIL ROUTES DEVELOPED — POSTMASTERS, 

The effort to establish a Christian churcii in llubliardston took place very 
early; and wc find that Rev. Xehemiah Parker was preaching here as a candi- 



EARLY MINISTERS. 589 



diito ill 17(i(S. During tlio next year, the iiilia!)it!iiits gave liini a definite call 
to settle among them, whicli lie accepted in a letter of groat tcnderuoss of 
spirit, saying tliat their olTerri in regard to his support were not large, but ho 
should consider tiicir cireniiistances and rely on their generosity. This letter 
was returned Dec. 14, 17(19 ; but the ordination was not had till the 13th day 
of Juno, 1770, for it would seem that the formation of the church itself was 
considered of first necessity. The gathering of the church took place Fob. 14, 
1770, with six male members only. Those were Nehemiah Parker, pastor- 
elect ; Adam Wheeler of Rutland ; Nathaniel Upham of Leicester ; Joseph 
Grimes of Tewksbury ; and Nathaniel Waite and Ephraim Rico of Templeton. 

Mr. Parker had preached, as happens in all new settlements, in dwellings 
and barns, in the open air, or whore he might. At the time of his ordination, 
there was still no meeting-house erected, and the services were had under the 
spreading l)oughs of a groat oak that stood on the west side of the town com- 
mon. The stipulation of his call gave him a salary of two hundred dollars per 
j'oar, and he would, if he continued in his place for seven yeai-s, come into 
possession of the lot No. 21, in the centre of the town, containing one hundred 
acres, and also the "minister's fiirm" of one hundred and fifty acres, on the 
south-cast side of Comet Pond. In fact, he did thus continue, and eventuall}^ 
received all those lands for his own. 

For more than twenty jcars after his settlement, the relations between him- 
self and his people continued perfectly harmonious. He had never asked any 
increase of pay, even when he might, perhaps, have gained it; and, when the 
town became embarrassed, ho waited patiently for his payments, out of pure 
consideration for them. To do this, however, he was forced to sell all the farm 
bj' Comet Pond, and nearly half his other lot; and at last, in 1792, he was so 
pressed that he finally applied for some increase of salary. The town gave 
bim fifty dollars more for that year ; but, at the meeting of the next spring, 
refused anything further. Finally, by the efforts of his friends, a permanent 
increase of pay to two hundred and fifty dollars per year was obtained; but 
subsequent endeavors for the same purpose were steadily refused. On the 
5th of June, 1800, the town met, at Mr. Parker's request, to consider his 
application for a dismission. It was granted, and thus ended his ministry, 
which bad lasted thirty years. His death took place Aug. 20, 1801, at the 
age of fift3'-nino years. He was a graduate of Harvard, of the class of 1763 ; 
a man of piety, honest convictions and tender sympathies, who could not endure 
controversy, and seemed to live wholly for his Master and his work. 

Mr. Parker was succeeded by Rev. David Kendall, who was ordained Oct. 
20, 1802. This gentlemen was singularly unlike his predecessor, and found 
himself very soon in a situation that only furnished discord and ill-feeling. In 
September, 1808, the town tried to induce him to ask a dismission ; but it 
appears that they found the minister more than a match for them, being neither 
able to flatter, hire, nor drive bim away from his position. But at last, April 



500 TOWN OF HUBBARDSTON. 

26, 1809, both parties agreeing to droj) all complaints, a council met, and Mr. 
Kcnduli was fairly dismissed. He removed to New York State, preached a 
few years, not successfully, and finally was deposed from the ministry and 
expelled from the church. He died Feb. 19, 1853, aged eighty-five. lie also 
graduated at Harvard. 

The church next secured Rev. Samuel Gay as pastor, who was ordained Oct. 
17, 1810. To him was voted an annual salary of five hundred dollars, with 
five hundred dollars more if he continued ten years in the place as minister. 
He became a very successful pastor, until the general separation, about 1826, 
when the Unitarian churches mostly went out of the couuectiou.- Then efforts 
were made to luisettle Mr. Gay, which finally succeeded May 1, 1827 ; but his 
friends had forestalled the event by organizing a new church, called the "Cal- 
vinistic Society of Hubbardston." Of this, Mr. Gay became pastor, and had 
much success for some years ; but in 1841, there being much dissatisfaction, he 
retired to his farm, where he died very suddeul}', Oct. 16, 1848. 

Mr. Gay was followed by Rev. Oliver B. Bidwell ; installed Dec. 1, 1841, 
and dismissed four years later. Next came Rev, D. B. Bradford, installed 
June 17, 1846, and dismissed April 22, 1852; then Rev. C. W. Allen from 
Dec. 29, 1852, to Dec. 31, 1860. Eight years of vacancy ensued ; since which 
have been Rev. Henry B. Fay from 1868, oue year ; Rev. John M. Stowe from 
August, 1870, to ISIay 9, 1877; and Rev. J. F. Norton from July, 1877, to 
the present time. The organization has now for many years been called the 
" Evangelical Cougregatioual Society of Hubbardston." 

Meanwhile, the old church, still known as the "First Congregational Church 
and Society," had been snpplj-ing their pulpit temporarily after the retirement 
of Mr. Gay. The names of Mr. Prcsbury, Mr. Wis well, Mr. Leonard and 
Mr. Randall arc remembered in this connection. After nearly a year, Rev. 
Abner D. Jones began preaching in September, 1828. A call was very soon 
given him, which he accepted October 12, with a salary of five hundred and fifty 
dollars. He was ordained Nov. 13, 1828, being only twenty-three years of 
age. But very unexpectedly, Nov. 11, 1832, he asked a dismission, and the 
town granted it on the 20tb, passing resolves of general regret, with recom- 
mendations of the retiring pastor. Rev. Ebenezcr Robinson became his suc- 
cessor, being installed Feb. 20, 1833 ; but, being an invalid, retired Oct. 9, 
1836. Then Rev. William II. Kinsley supplied for two years ; after which Rev. 
Claudius Bradford was ordained April 15, 1840, and retired April 13, 1845. 
Rev. S. H. Loyd acted from February, 1846, for about a year; Rev. George 
F. Hill from April 14, 1847, to Sept. 1, 1852; Rev. Stillmau Barber from 
October, 1852, to October, 1854 ; and Rev. Almauzor S. Ryder from June 20, 
1855, to Dec. 1, 1860. There was then a temporary supply for nine years, 
when Rev. Benjamin F. McDaniel was settled, but only stayed two and a half 
years, since which there has been only such supply as could bo obtained. 

A Methodist church was gathered in Hubbardston iil 1839, to the pastorate 



PUBLIC EDUCATION. ^n 

of which Rov. tToscph Whitman, then of Grafton, was transferred. A public 
hall was at Hist u'Cil ; and, the conference having made it a regular station, 
Mr. Whitman stajcd in charge two years, and was then succeeded by Rev. 
Stephen Cushing. Some twenty-five others have followed, and the present 
incumbent is Rev. W. E. Dwight. 

Some notice of the different church edifices in the town will here bo proper. 
The first meeting-house in Hiibbardston was commenced iu the autumn of 
1772, and the frame was raised in June, 1773 ; probably on the thirteenth day. 
Partial efforts were made from season to season, by which the frame was cov- 
ered, and made to be barely tolerable for use, but only at the close of the 
Revolution were there any effectual measures taken for its being finished. No 
paint, unless upon the outside trimmings, is said to have been put npon it till 
17114; and the huge belfry, with the porch at the east end, were works of still 
later date. The house was removed a few rods west in 1842, reconstructed 
and re-dedicated in January, 1843 ; and again, after another improvement, re- 
dedicated May 5, 1869. 

The Calvinistic Church was erected in the summer of 1827, being dedicated 
on the first day of November. It has since been remodeled. 

The Methodist Church was built in 1840, and dedicated Sept. 25. This was 
also much improved in the year 1869. 

The first appropriation for public schools iu this town was made in July, 
1767, when the inhabitants voted £10 for the support of a school three months 
during the ne.\t winter. This school was kept in three different places, suc- 
cessively, and was attended by nearly all the boys in town of suitable age, 
those from remote points coming to board near by the place of session. 
For three years it was located in dwelling-houses, but in the summer u{ 1770, 
a school-house was built near the centre, that for a time answered for school, 
church and town meeting. Most of the time afterward the schools were kept 
there, but occasionally varying to some other neighborhood, since many 
families lived three or four miles away. In 1775, the appropriation was 
raised to £15, but the vote was annulled before taxation. In 1776, they suc- 
ceeded in raising £L0; but the next year they again failed to do anything for 
schools at all. For the rest of the time of the war, £10 or more was raised 
annually ; but in the embarrassing days after the return of peace, two years 
were passed again with no appropriation. 

By the spring of 1782, a liettcr feeling having revived, it was decided, in 
view of the increased breadth of the settlement, to inaugurate a system of 
school districts. The formation of these was entrusted to the following 
committee : — William Marcau, Elijah Adams, James Thompson, Joseph Caryl, 
Joel Pollard and Isaac Bellows. They divided the town into seven "squad- 
rons," and recommended the building of as many new school-houses. But 
nothing further was done for two years, though the town accepted the report. 
Then, March, 1784, the houses were ordered to be built and finished by June 



502 TOWN OF HUBBARDSTON. 



1, 1785, £105 being granted for the expense. The mono}-, however, was not 
very promptly raised. 

In 17SG, as one of the squadrons had been divided, the town (jave each new 
part £7 lO.s. additional, and likewise increased the general appropriation by 
£80. It hardly seems that very good progress had then been made with the 
buildings ; but they were probably all firiished within the j'car 1788. The 
eight schools thus provided for were called the "Centre," "North-west,"' 
"North," "North-east," "East," "South-east," "South," and "West;" but in 
a few years (he name of "squadron" was dropped and the districts were 
designated i)y numbers only. 

No material changes appear till 1837, when the town was re-districted under 
charge of the following committee : — Silas Greenwood, Justus Ellinwood and 
Moses Waite ; more carefully defined limits being established. At a still later 
date a new system of districts was established, nine in number; and the 
school appropriations were distributed among them in a more equitable 
manner. 

It has been already stated that a lot was laid out by the original proprietors 
"to be held unalienated forever for the support of schools." But by 1795, 
when the annual appropriation first touched £100, the depredations on this piece 
of property by the vicious had become so annoying, that William Marean, 
Robert Murdoch and Ebenezrer Joslyn were made a committee to petition the 
General Court for leave to sell. The permission was granted, and about 
$1,273 was realized. This was invested and for many j'cars yielded some $72 
to increase the appropriation. Tlic amount raised by vote gained upward 
steadily till it reached $2,500 in 18()5, at which figure it has since remained. 

The long list of teachers cannot here be given ; but the names of Thomas 
O. and Lucy Selfridge may be mentioned, as instructors of great fidelity and 
high qualifications. 

Since 18G0, a high school, or at least a school of advanced grade has been 
taught at the Centre, which has received many scholars, such as formerly were 
sent to academies or advanced schools in other places. 

As naturally happens almost everywhere in inland districts, and certainly in 
almost all the towns of Worcester County, the earliest occupation of the 
settlers of Hubbardston was agriculture. They found a wilderness and a 
forest, and set themselves to convert the country into fruitful fields instead ; but 
the reward was not of very speedy return. The land would produce one good 
crop of winter rye; but was then too much exhausted to j'icld a second, and 
had to be otherwise used for several years before putting grain upon it again. 
Much hay was cut, however, large stocks of cattle were kept, and good barns 
had been erected ; in fact, at the close of the century the families were mostly 
jirospering and increasing in property; yet this was only where health, 
industry and frugality were hai)pily found together. 

Such a state of things gave little encouragement for manufactures or 



INDUSTRIAL RECORD. 593 



niocbanic arts. Several sa\v-mil]s liad been liiiilt, ami ralli;r more lumber 
sawod than was wanted at homo ; but the demand eNewhere was small, and 
the price very low, leaving the prolit almost nothing, even with the small 
wages paid for labor. This mailer, however, imi)r.)vcd materially after- 
wards. 

At the time of the incorporation, no article had been made hero for consump- 
tion abroad with any success, except potash. Burning the forest for clearing 
naturally made quantities of ashes, and the shrewd people soon discovered 
that these could be profitably utilized. David Slarrow came to town before 
the incorporation and established the business on Muzzoy Hill. It appeared 
that the high price of potash from abroad created a demand that enabled this 
article to pay for transportation, which nothing else would that could be 
produced here. It seems strange to the people of this day ; but it is true that 
very large quantities of the very best wood and timber were then cut and 
burned for the alkali afforded by the ashes. After sometime Mr. Slarrow left 
town, and thou Moses Clark started the business in the village, and kept it up 
till 1810. When he also retired, Justus Ellinwood took it up, and was able 
to follow it twenty years longer, till it ceased in 1830. 

Soon after 1800 the consumption of the timber-growth along the seaboard 
increased the demand in the rear towns ; and Ilubbardstou began to feel the 
call of a better market. 

Before long the business of lumbering ran up to an activity that employed 
in the winter all the industrious men in the town. Mure than two million feet 
of boards would find an annual sale. Enterprise kept pushing in the same 
direction, and soon a number of young men began to split and shave "chair 
stuff" in the winter season. This found a ready sale at Sterling. One step 
further, and it was learned that the wood-seated chair could be wholly made 
here, and freighted to Boston and Providence by teams, so as to pay a profit ; 
and this effort was rapidly developed, till more than forty men were at work, 
and more than seventy thousand chairs were annually made. 

These remarks indicate the chief lines of business in this place. But there 
are several others deserving notice. 

The large quantity of beech timl)er naturally found hero suggested the 
establishment of the card-board business. Of these boards, 7,000 dozen pairs 
have lieen annually made. They find a market at Leicester. 

Coopers' ware was largely made here some forty years since, and sold readily 
in Providence. 

A tannery has been established here at least eighty years. It has had fair 
success, as also has a tinware manufactory, started about forty years ago. 

We might mention also, that in 1S2'J, the discovery of a largo bed of pyritc 
in the north part of the town led to the beginning of the copperas manufacture. 
A considerable quantity was made, and the work went on some ten years ; 
but was not profitable, and only sloi)ped after sinking very much money. 



51U TOWN OF HUBBARDSTON. 

Most of these lines of iiuliistiy liave censed operation after a time ; but the 
boot and shoe business, now more thau sixty years old in town, is still in good 
activity, employing scmio forty hands. 

A post-ofHt'c was first established in IIul)l)ardston in the year 1810. The 
mail was then carried through the town once a week each M'ay, from Worcester 
to Keene, N. H. 

In 1823, a mail began to run from Boston to Albany, which passed through 
three times a week each way. By 1826, the Worcester and Keene mail came 
to make two trips per week each way, and soon after three. A daily mail from 
both Worcester and Boston was had soon after the opening of the Vermont 
and Massachusetts Kailroad ; and the present arrangement, which gives twice 
daily communication with all prominent points, was not long in coming into 
effect afterwards. 

The postmasters of Hubbardston have been in succession : — Reuben Wheeler, 
Clark Witt, John Church, Levi Pierce, Dana Brown, Appletou Clark, Abijah 
S. Clark, John Phelps, John F. Clark, William Bennett, Jr., William H. 
Whittemore and Lyman Woodward. 



THE PIONEER TOWN. 595 



LANCASTER 



BY REV. ABIJAII P. MARVIN. 



CHAPTER I. 



AN ANCIENT TOWN INDIAN PURCHASE FIRST SETTLEMENT AND ORIGINAL 

CHDRCH GARRISONS ATTACK BY KING PHILIP'S INDIANS AWFUL CAR- 
NAGE SUFFERINGS AND CAPTIVITIES NEW TOWNS FORMED SPIRIT IN 

THE REVOLUTION LOYAL AND PATRIOTIC DETERMINATION LANCASTER IN 

THE REBELLION. 

Lancaster is, l)y several years, the oldest town in the county, whether 
regarded as a settlement or a legal corporation. Pioneers were on the ground 
in"l(!43, and an act authorizing the inhabitants to act as a municipality was 
passed in 1(553. Town officers were elected in that year, and though Iho 
town was superintended by a committee, headed by Maj. Simon Willard, from 
1G57 to 16G5, yet it never lost its character as a distinct municipality. After 
the massacre in 1075-6, the scattered people returned, and went forward under 
the original grant and act of incorporation. Mendon was settled quite early, 
but the exact time is unknown. It was incorporated in 1667, or fourteen years 
later than Lancaster. The grant of Brookfield was made in IGGO, and there 
were so many people on the ground by 1G73, they were authorized to form a 
town by an act dated October 15 ; but the General Court appointed a commit- 
tee of three gentlemen belonging to other places, to regulate all affairs in 
regard to " settling and building up the town." The settlement was under this 
regime at the time of the massacre, in 1G75, and down to the year 1718, when 
on the 12th of November, the General Court granted the full powers of 
municipal self-government. Worcester had settlers as early as 1GS5, a settle- 
ment having been authorized in 1784 ; but the first town meeting was not held 
until the last Wednesday of September, 1722. Lancaster, Oxford, Sutton 
and W^estborough were set up as towns between 1713 and 1718, and by the 
year 1731, when the county was incorporated, Lunenburg, Rutland, Shrews- 
bury, Southborough and Uxbridge were enjoying municipal privileges. Thus 
Lancaster, as a settlement, was nearly ninety years old when the county was 
erected, and as a town had existed seventy-eight years. By reason of this 



596 TOWN OF LANCASTER. 

priority, it was necessary to mention the town often, wliile preparing the liis- 
tory of the county, but repetition will l)e avoitlecl so far as possi1)le. 

The territory of Lancaster, except the section on the west, afterwarils set 
oflf to Leominster and Sterling, was bonght of Sholan, or Shamanw, sadiem 
of the tribe of Indians whose centre was at Washacum ponds, by Thomas 
King of Watcrtown, and his associates, none of whom ever became residents 
of the phice. The tract Avas eighty square miles, or ten miles b}' eight. In 
the season of 1643, three men, Ball, Linton and AVaters, were on the ground, 
and built two or three log-houses, but it is not known that they had families 
with them. Thomas King sold his trading-house, on the south-cast side of 
George Hill, to John Prescott, who, before 1647, became a permanent resi- 
dent, moved the trading business to what is now South Lancaster, and com- 
menced his business as a farmer, miller and blacksmith. In 1647, there were 
two other settlers ; viz., Richard Linton and Lawrence AVaters, both of whom 
bad been in the place as pioneers in 1643. In 1653, there were nine families 
on the ground, living near each other, and feeling the need of some local gov- 
ernment. They petitioned the General Court for an act of incorporation, or, 
perhaps, more correctly, of aulhoriz;ition to enjoy municipal privileges. The 
act of the court came in this form : "In answer to the petition of the inhabi- 
tants of Nashawaj', the court (inds, according to a former order of the General 
Court, in 1647, that the ordering of the plantation at Nashiwa^-, is wholly in 
the court's power. Considering that there is already at Nashawa^' aI)out nine 
families, and that several, both freemen and others, intend to go and settle 
there, some whereof are named in this petition, the court dotli grant them the 
liberty of a township, and order that heuceforlh it shall be called Lancaster." 

The act then prescribes certain conditions which must l)e fuKillcd, one of 
which was that the rights of those who had "possessed and continued inhabi- 
tants of Nashaway," should have their lots confirmed to them, provided they 
took the "oath of fidelity." Another was that they would take care to main- 
tain a " godly minister amongst them " ; and a third was that "no evil persons, 
enemies of the Commonwealth, in judgment or practice, should be admitted 
as inhabitants among them." These provisions were necessary to the welfare 
of the town and the safety of the Colony', f)r as the forecasting statesmen at 
Boston styled it, "this Commonwealth." They were too wise to leave the ter- 
ritory behind them open to the settlement of the loose spirits who were in the 
seaboard towns, or who might come from England, and plant hostile towns in 
the countr.v of the Indians. What has been reproachfully laid to their alleged 
bigotry and narrowness, was simply a matter of self-preservation, and to it the 
life, the intelligence, and the moral and religious character of Massachusetts 
are due. What was needed in the infancy of the Colony became unnecessaiy 
ill the days of its consolidated strength, when the laws were modified in accord- 
ance with changed conditions. 

The settlers having, in the course of 1653, complied with the terms pre- 



INCORPORATION. 597 



scribed by tlio court, it w;is granlod by the authorities iu 1(554, "that the 
inliabitants of Lancaster have tliosc libeitics of a township that the laws allow, 
until the General Court take further order therein." The number of men to 
whom thirf "liberty of township" was granted, was ten, five of whom were 
freemen, or members of the church. 

The purchase of Sholan covered a track ten miles by eight, or eighty square 
miles, but the grant, as surveyed by Lieut. Noyes, was ten miles, nearly north 
and south, eight miles broad on the north end, and six and a half miles wide 
at the south end. It may bo stated here, though it is by anticipating dates, 
that iu 1713, a large addition, purchased of Tahauto, the sachem of Washacum, 
was grunted by the General Court. This tract was on the west side of the 
town, and was ten miles long by four wide. And what can be said of the tract 
of country thus secured to the proprietors of Lancaster? Without passing the 
limits of strict truthfulness it may be said that if the settler's had been otlered 
the " very choice and pick" of the whole Colony, they could not have made a 
better selection. Whether the fertility of the soil, or the beauty of the scenery, 
or the sweetness, purity and abundance of the springs, or the amount of water- 
power for mills, or the salubrity of the air is considered, the township is prob- 
ably unsurpassed by any in New England. A full description is not compati- 
ble with the limits of this sketch, but it will be proper to say that the wind- 
ings of the Nashua River and the numerous wood-enclosed ponds which gem 
the surface, with the broad and rich intervales, the plains, plateaus and gently 
sloping hills, make almost every rod of the town pleasant to behold. The 
place was attractive to the new settlers because the surface was less rough and 
rocky than iu most of the hill countr}', and because portions of the intervales 
were less densely covered with forests. There were spots already open for 
planting, as well as good for pasture, when the pioneers came, in 1G43. Besides, 
the streams, and especially the Nashua, were well stocked with iish, including 
shad, herring and salmon, iu their season. The whole region looked inviting, 
and hither they were atti-acted. Aud this was true, in groat measure, in regard 
to all the parts of original Lancaster, as well as to the central portion, which 
now constitutes the town. 

By 1G56, or two years after the town was fully authorized to act for itself, 
there were forty-eight settlers admitted to proprietors' rights, and by IGGO 
seven more had been admitted, making fifty-tive. The larger part became 
residents. For a few years the early settlers were careful in regard to the 
persons who were received into the town, aud very careful in regard to those 
who were admitted to the condition of prtiprietors. As they became 
established and learned to know each other, and after they had taken time to 
invite those whose presence was desirable, the restrictions iu regard to settle- 
ment were somewhat relaxed, and new comers were welcomed. Iu conse- 
quence, the population increased by immigration as well as by births, aud by 
the year 1G75, when the first Indian raid was made upon the town, there were 



598 TOWN OF LANCASTER. 



probably as many as tlircc hundrcil and fifty inhabitants witliin tlic township, 
and those were compactly settled on two or three roads, witii the meeting- 
house very near the centre. The house of the minister, the Rev. Joseph 
Rowlandson, was not far from the house of worship, and was fortified, though 
not with sufficii;'nt care, before the fatal attack in the spring of 107(5. 

Measures were taken for the erection of the first meeting-house in 1057, and 
the first town meeting was held in the new house in June, 1058. This house 
was on the highest point of the Middle Cemetery, and was probably in sight of 
nearly every family in the whole plantation. A grant of land was made for the 
first minister, and this was divided into different lots for intervales, uplands, 
woodland, &c., and a lot was also set apart for the ministry. 

In the meantime, the Rev. Joseph Rowlandson had moved into the place, 
having begun to preach to the ncAV settlement in 1050. The church was not 
formed till 1000, probably in August, when j\Ir. Rowlandson was ordained. 
The town was now organized, and in working order as a municipality, with its 
various officers, its minister and Wa other apparatus for teaching, since the 
law required that the children should ha taught, and the parents valued 
education. 

The early settlers appear to have been an intelligent, industrious and well- 
behaved people. Those who first projected a plantation were not encouraged 
by the General Court, as their sentiments and character were not equal to the 
requisite standard. Those who actually made the settlement were a better 
class, but from the fact that less than half of them were not freemen, a feeling 
of jealousy sprang up, and the people prayed the General Court, as already 
stated, to appoint a committee of three, who had supervisory power about 
nine years, until matters were settled and consolidated. These gentlemen 
were Simon Willard, Edward Johnson of Woburn, and Thomas Danforth of 
Cambridge. They were all men of respectability in the Colony, and were held 
in great respect by the inhabitants of Lancaster. Maj. Willard became a 
resident, and received several grants of land. It must be remembered that 
the town chose its officers as before, but the selectmen took their orders from 
the committee in regard to all matters of importance. The town also expressed 
its opinions and wishes to the committee, cither by vote or by private consulta- 
tion. With this arrangement all aflairs wore conducted harmoniously, until 
the town felt full}' qualified to go alone, when, with mutual satisfaction, the 
power of the committee was terminated l)y consent of the General Court. 

Dining the fifteen years between the organization of the church and the first 
Indian raid upon the town there was a healthy growth, in regard to mmibers, 
and much was done to bring the land under cultivation. Some proprietors 
never came to reside, some left in a short time, and perhaps some had no 
families in the beginning ; but others came in, so that the population increased. 
Mills had been erected for sawing and grinding by John Prescott, in the 
present limits of Clinton. Log-houses had beguu to give place to framed 



COMING TERRORS. 599 



houses, ami prohaljly some of the houses hud riscu to the dignity of two 
stories. According to iNIrs. Rowlaudsou there was good neighborhood and 
pleasant intercourse between families and friends, and, judging from her 
narrative, there was considerable cultivation of mind among the women of the 
place. All the men but three signed their names to the covenant, which 
proves that they could read and write. The social life of the plantation was 
kept up by frequent visits, by meeting on the Sabbath and at trainings, and 
by all those raisings, huskings, bees and other gatherings that were frequent 
before people began to depend on traveling showmen and songsters for their 
amusement. Mrs. Rowlandson, in recording her feelings while in captivity, 
"ivcs us a glimpse of the life in Lancaster in the middle of the seventeenth 
century, and just after. She says: "Upon the Sabbath-days I could look 
upon the scene and think how people were going to the house of God to have 
their souls refreshed ; and their homes and their bodies also. I remember how, 
on the night before and after the Sabbath,' when my family was about me, 
and relations and neighbors with us, we could play and sing, and refresh our- 
selves with the good creatures of God." 

In this homely, but cheerful and piously puritanic society, were the families 
of Rowlandson, lather and sons, Prcscott, Sawyer, White, Kcrly, father and 
sons, the cousins Houghton, Fairbanks, Joslin, Rugg, Beaman, Whitcomb, 
Gates, Athcrton, Moore, Linton, Wilder and others, whose names and 
descendants have gone out to the ends of the earth. 

But a dread calamity was impending. The spirit of Philip had breathed its 
malif^n influence into the natives, and from the confidence and friendship ot 
Sholan there was a change under the rule of Sam, his successor. The first 
outbreak was in the summer of 1G75, when, on the 22d of August, old style, 
eight persons were killed in diflerent parts of the town. There is some reason 
for believing that five of the eight were killed in what is now the North Village. 
Mordecai McLcod, his wife and two children, lived near the cast cud of the 
village, and George Bennett just east of the bridge. The home of Jacob 
Farrar was about half a mile cast of McLcod. The place of the murder of 
William Flagg and Joseph Wheeler is left to conjecture. This attack, so 
frightful and cruel, does not appear to have been expected. No preparation 
had been made for defense, and no fears seem to have taken possession of the 
people. It is true that Philip had made an attack on Swansey in June, and 
on the 14lh of July four or five people had been killed at Mendon, and an 
English spy brought word of an anticipated attack sometime in the summer; 
but as the AVashacnni Indians went in and out before them, and appeared to be 
on terms of amity and good neighborhood, all fears were hushed to sleep. But 
after this deadly raid the inhabitants were thoroughly alarmed, and made 
preparations to resist attack. Five places were fortified. These were in 
localities convenient for all the families to take shelter in whenever the occa- 
sion mic;ht come. One garrison was as near the centre of the town as possible. 



600 TOWN OF LANCASTER. 

The house (if tlic minister, Mr. Rowlaiulson, was midway hctweeu South 
Lancaster and the Centre. His house was put iu the way of defense, tliough 
it has come down to us that cither there was no way of defending it in the 
rear, or lliat the hack part of the house was so covered by a huge pile of wood 
that the besieged could not assail the Indians on that side. In the Centre 
there was one garrison or fortified house, probably at the home of John While, 
though some think it was about twenty rods north-west of the railroad station. 
A third was at Thomas Sawyer's house, al)out half a mile south of the house of 
the minister, and in the centre of the settlement of South Lancaster. The 
fourth was Prescott's garrison in Clinton, and probably tlie fiftii was in the 
south-west part of Bolton. 

This arrangement was doubtless known to Philip ; for he planned to attack 
the town in five places at the same time. His purpose was to blot the town 
from existence ; therefore, taking fifteen hundred men, he divided them into 
five companies, and in the early morning of Feb. 10, 1G75, old st^le, or Feb. 
20, 167G, new style, hurled them upon these fortified places. It was so early 
that some of the families appear not to have run into the places of compirative 
safety, and the attack was so near]}' simultaneous that the men in one garrison 
could not rush to the help of others. It is supposed that some were killed or 
captured in all the forts ; it is known that one was killed at Prescott's, and 
three at Wheeler's in Bolton. Others were slain at places long since forgotten. 
The main attack was on the fortified house of Mr. Rowlandson, the site of 
which is known, and will always be preserved. The minister and two of his 
brothers-in-law, Capt. Henry Kerly and Mr. Drew, who had married sisters 
of Mrs. Rowlandson, were absent, having g)nc to Boston in quest of aid from 
the government. This garrison was the central point in the town, and of 
course was the objective point of Philip's expedition. Into this house the 
families in the neighborhood, and perhaps some from the Centre or Neck, as it 
was called, so far as they had been notified or alarmed in season, hastily ran 
for protection. The planks of the bridge were torn up by the enemy to pre- 
vent the co-operation or escape of the English. And it is wonderful that so 
many were saved from the fury of the savages. Probably some took refuge iu 
the woods and swamps till relief came before the close of the next da}-. But, 
of the forty-two or more in the ministoi's house, one only, Epbraim Roper, 
escaped. 

The attack was made early in the morning, and, says iMrs. Rowlandson, 
"Quickh' it was the dolefnllost day that ever mine cj'es saw." For more than 
two hours the house was defended with true heroism. Bullets rattled on the 
sides and roof like hail. Several attempts were made to set the house on fire, 
as at Brookfield a short time before, but these failed. At Icugth a blaze was 
kindled, but a brave man ran out with water and f|nenched it. Finally, a cart 
filled with combustibles was pushed down behind ihc house, where there were 
no means of defense, and soon the whole building was in flames. This was 



AAVFUL CARNAGE. 601 



aliout two Iioiirs iiftcr the first .issiiult. In tlic iiioiiiitimc, tlio (Mu-iny, according 
to Mrs. Kowliiiulsoii, h:ul watched from hchitul the ham, or the liill, or a tree, 
or any object (hat could conceal them, every opportunity to lire at any one of 
the defenders who was at all exposed. She styles it that "amazing time." 
The tire was raging over their heads, and the " I)loody heathen read}- to knock 
all who stirred out on their head." Mothers and children were heard crying 
out for themselves and one another: "Lord, what ?hall we do?" Then, says 
the saintly woman, "I took my children (and one of my sisters hers) to go 
forth and leave the house ; hut, as soon as we came to the door, and appeared, 
the Indians shot so thick that the hnllets rattled against the house as if one 
had taken a handful of-stones and thrown them, so tiiat we were forced to give 
back." Their dogs at other times were brave and ready to fly at an enemy, 
but now they seemed to have lost all courage, and would not stir. Thomas 
Rowlandson, the minister's brother, who had been shot in the neck while in 
the house, now fell dead, and the Indians, with a shout, stripped him of his 
clothing. Mrs. Rowlandson was shot through the side, and the same bullet 
went through the hand into the bowels of her little daughter, about six years 
old. The son of her sister Kcrly had his leg broken, when the savages 
knocked him on the head. The narrative continues : "Thus were we butchered 
by those merciless heathens, standing amazed with the blood running down to 
our heels. My elder sister being yet in "the house, and seeing those woful 
sights, the infidels hauling mothers one way and children another, and some 
wallowing in their blood, and her eldest son telling her that her son William 
was dead, and m3-sclf wounded, she said : 'Lord, let me die with them ! ' which 
was no sooner said, hut she was struck with a bullet, and fell down dead over 
the threshold. Then the Indians laid hold of us, pulling me one way and the 
children another, and said: 'Come, go along with us.'" Accounts dilTer iu 
regard to the number of persons in the house, some putting it as high as forty- 
two, and others no higher than thirty-seven. Of these, as before stated, only 
one escaped. Twelve were killed either by a shot or a stab, or by being 
knocked on the head. One was "chopped into the head with a hatchet, and 
stripped naked, and yet was crawling up and down," and all of those killed 
were "stripped naked hj' a company of hell-hounds, roaring, ranting, singing 
and insulting as if they would have torn our very hearts out.'' The men, 
except the one who escaped by running, were all killed or reserved for tor- 
ture. The wife of Roper was killed in the attempt to escape. IMrs. Row- 
landson, her sister Mrs. Drew, the wife of Abraham Joslin, and other women 
and children to the number of about twenty, were taken captive. IIow many 
of the savages were slain at this garrison and the others was never known, as 
they were careful to conceal their losses by bearing off the dead and wounded, 
but the belief at the time was that their loss was considerable. The total loss 
of the white was fifty to fifty-five. 

The fight being over, a scone of plunder, burning and torture ensued, and a 



G02 TOWN OF LANCASTER. 

good part of the night was spent on a neighboring bill in a iirand carouse. 
The captives, looking clown npon (he valley, could see, in all directions, the 
smoke rising from the dying hrands of their comfortable homes, about one-half 
of which were tired on that wofnl day. The news of the disaster sped to the 
towns below, and soldiers were soon on the ground, when the savages withdrew. 
The dead were buried, but not the faintest shadow of a tradition tells where. 
The living who had escaped death I)y concealment were gathered into safe 
places, and the remnants of property and stock were collected and put in safe 
condition. But the town was ruined for the time being. Soon, by order of 
the General Court, teams came from below, and moved the people, with all 
their effects, to places less exposed to the attacks of their enemies. The next 
day ever}- remaining house and I)nildiug, except the meeting-house and one 
dwelling a little out of the settlement, were burned to the ground. 

This seems to be the place to notice and to stamp as false to history two 
narratives that were published a few months since iu two respectable newspa- 
pers, which narratives had all the appearance of being sober statements of facts 
that occurred at this time. One is the stor^' of one Mrs. Divoll, who, it was 
stated, lived in a hollow between the hills, and iu the absence of her husband, 
managed to kill five able-bodied Indians. The whole story, in all its numer- 
ous particulars, was a tissue of fiction, not to say falsehood, except the one 
item that Mrs. Divoll lived in Lancaster at the time. Her name was Hannah, 
and she Avas a daughter of John While and sister of Mrs. Ilowlandson. The 
other piece of inexcusable fiction had all the air of fact, and was doubtless 
believed to be so by the Avriter ; yet the very "Narrative of her Removes," by 
Mrs. Rowlandson, shows that the article is incorrect in nearly every particular. 
It is false in giving the account of the captured woman's treatment ; false in 
stating where the child which died in New Braintreo was buried ; false in all 
the particulars of the burial ; false in giving the manner of crossing ililler's 
River, and false in stating that a high elevation in Northtield was named by 
the bereaved mother Mount Grace in memory of her child buried at its foot, 
when she never had a child of that name, and the real child was laid to rest 
some twenty miles away. The story of the good woman's captivity must be 
read in her inimitable "Removes," a book which will grow in interest as the 
generations come and go. It will satisfj' those who have not seen her narra- 
tive to say that, after a captivity of two or three mouths, in which she was 
taken as far as Brattleborongh, and perha[)s beyond, and during which she 
suffered extremely from cold, hunger and ill-usage, she was redeemed and 
restored to her husband. Ilcr youngest child died while among the savages, 
and her son and daughter were restored soon after her return. 

This was the beginning of the Indian attacks upon Lancaster, — the raid in 
August before, and this iu February, — and it will be couveuicnt, in this con- 
nection, to give au outline, in the briefest space, of the whole drama of Indian 
massacre and burning, so far as this town was involved. The connection of 



CONTINUED EAIDS. 603 



the town with IiKliaii lighting in otiior places will conic in its liuic. How soon 
the t^cattoicd people began to retnrn is not matter of rccortl, ))nt it is probable 
lliat sonic ventnrcsomc men, having no home elsewhere, came up in a year or 
two, ami began to re-plant and bnikl anew. A passing French traveler found 
some residents in 1079. In that year the IMiddiesex County Court appointed 
a committee to renew the settlement, but there is no evidence of their service. 
Yet it is certain that quite a uumber of settlers were on the ground in 1G81, 
because, in the Colony records is a petition praying to be released from a tax 
laid ou them the year before. The old meeting-house not being satisfactory, 
steps were taken, in 1G84, towards linilding a new one, and the object was 
accomplished in that, or the following year. The new house was built ou the 
site of the old one, which the Indians had spared because, as it is said, it was 
" God's house." The pulpit was supplied by "diverse gentlemen" from 1G81 
to 1088, when the Rev. John Whiting began to preach on probation. lie was 
ordained ou the 3d of December, 1G90, and according to an entry in Judge 
ScwalTs diary, recently published, a church was organized the same day. If 
this is correct, the church as established at first, was regarded as extinct. The 
tragic end of Mr. Whiting is told in few words. After a miuistiy of about 
nine years, he was killed, Sept. 22, 1G97, by the Indians, in the bloody attack 
made on that day. He was at some distance from his house, when about noon, 
the enemy assailed him. He defended himself. They offered quarter, but he 
preferred death to captivity and the probability of torture, and in defending 
himself was slain, and then scalped. His death was nuiuh lamented. His 
successor, the Rev. Andrew Gardner, who came in May, 1701, met with" a fate 
still more sad, if possible, Nov. 7, 1704, when he was shot by a townsman, 
who mistook him, in the dusk of the early morning, for one of the enemy. 
The people made great lamentation over him. 

Some of the men of Lancaster were in the ill fated Canada expedition of 
1090. When the war of King William broke out in 1689, the town was 
alarmed, and took measures for defense, but no attack was made before July 
29, 1092, when the house of Peter Joslin was entered by the Indians, in his 
absence on the farm, and his wife, bis three children and a woman were "bar- 
barously butchered by their hatchets, and left weltering in their gore." This 
house was on the main street, about half way from the depot to the bridge in 
North Village, near the residence of Mr. William H. McNeil. In 1695, a Mr. 
Wheeler was mortally wounded on a "Lord's day morning," between a garrison 
and his own house. In September, 1G97, on the twenty-second day, one of 
the greatest calamities that ever befel the town, was experienced. An attack 
was made ou the inhabitants who resided all the way from the meeting-house 
to the side of George Hill, and many houses, barns and outhouses were set on 
fire. At this time occurred the death of Rev. Mr. Whiting. Twenty otheis 
were killed, two were wounded, and six were carried captive. This terrible 
calamity was followed by a few years of peace, and then Queen Anne's war laid 



604 TOWN OF LANCASTER. 

the town oi)cii to new misfortunes. In the 3'earl704, the town w.is garrisoued 
and put ill a posture of defence. There was need, for the savages, inspired by 
the French, were on the war-path. Says an account written near tiie time: 
"On ^londay morning past, August 10th, the enemy, French and Indians, fell 
upon Lancaster, about four hundred of them, assaulted six garrisons at once, 
where the people defended themselves ver}' well, until assistance came in from 
all parts, by the governor's order, so that in the evening there were three hun- 
dred men in the town. And the enemy was beaten off with loss, but are yet 
hovering on the hciid of those towns, to make some further impression, if not 
prevented." Four men were killed, several barns were burned, and other 
property destroyed. It was on the 7th of November following that Mr. Gard- 
ner was killed. On the 2Gth of October, ITO."), Thomas Sawyer, his soa 
Elias, and John Biglo were captured and taken to Canada. July 27, 1707, 
Jonathan White was killed. August 30, occurred the murder of Jonathan 
Wilder, but this was in Chocksett (now Sterling). The deed was done at tho 
place ever since called the "Indian fight," where his death was revenged by 
the shooting of nine Indians in open conflict. Two of tho whites were killed. 
The last act of violence was in August, 1710, when an attack was made on tho 
Wilders living on George Hill. They defended themselves, but an Indian 
youth in their employ was killed. During all this time the people kept 
" watch and ward " near a third of their time ; they " ranged the woods " ; they 
were "in peril of their lives" when at work, and had "little peace day or 
night." 

The French and Indian wars in which Lancaster was involved at a distance 
from home, must be dismissed in a paragraph. Capt. John White rendered 
conspicuous service in "Lovcwell's war." In the war with the Eastern Indians, 
1721-25, the names of Jabez Fairbaidv, Edward Ilartweli, Samuel Willard, 
Josiah AVillard and John White became familiar throughout New England. 
These were capable ofBcors, and did strenuous service. Lancaster sent about 
nineteen of her brave sous on tho expedition to Cuba in 1730-40, not one of 
whom ever returned. Col. Samuel Willard led a regiment, and his son, Capt. 
Abijah led a company in the capture of Louisburg, in 1745. Col. Josiah Wil- 
lard and his sons held Fort Dummcr during the war. In the last French and 
Indian war, from 1755 to 17G3, this town furnished men and officers without 
stint. Some of them were iu all the fights, combats and battles from tho forts 
at Lake George to Quebec. The story is one of sacrifice, of heroism, and of 
triumph. But it cannot find a place in these pages. 

The history of the first church iu Lancaster has been given up to the year 
1704, when Mr. Gardner was mortally wounded. In 1708, March 29th, the 
Rev. John Prentice was ordained, and then began a series of three pastorates, 
with scarcely a break between them, which lasted one hundred and thirty-two 
years, and counting the two years when Mr. Thayer was a colleague, one hundred 
and thirty-four years. This fact has but few, if any, parallels in tho history of 



EARLY MINISTERS. G05 



New England. The pastorate of Mr. Prentice conlinncil to llio year 1748, 
wlicu, on the 4th of January, he was taken away, "after a life of much scr- 
viee and faillifulnoss." Two days before his death the ohnreh had made a move 
to obtain a colleague, owing to his increasing infumities. He was an able, 
sound, faithful and godly man, and religion Nourished during his ministry. His 
grave is in the old burying-jard, east of the railroad. 

An association for mutual religious improvement was formed by (he young 
men of the town, in 1748, probably about the time of the settlement of the 
Rev. Timothy Harrington, which took place on the IGth of November, 1748. 
The society of J'oung men, which seems to have anticipated by a century, the 
modern Young Men's Christian Associations, must have been a great encour- 
agement to the uew minister, since all its rules made the members helpers 
rather than rivals. His pastorate, like that of Mr. Prentice, was long, gen- 
erally peaceful, and prosperous. He was settled as one firmly grouudcd in 
the Orthodox faith, and probably remained so, but with some leaning to Aimi- 
nianism, till his decease. The church was strong in his time, as in that of his 
predecessor, the leading families belonging to it, though the connection of 
some was by the "half-way" plan. Discipline was administered with fidelity, 
but with great patience and Christian forbearance, as if for the purpose of 
restoring the erring ones. Mr. Harrington was a pleasant gentleman, a good 
classical scholar, a faithful pastor, and, in the words of Dr. Thayer, an "intei-- 
esting and instructive companion in the common walks of life." The attach- 
ment of his people was too strong to be shaken by any ordinary difficult}', and 
he retained their confidence to the end. The Rev. Nathaniel Thayer was settled 
as his colleague on the 9th of October, 1793, a little more than two years 
before his decease, which occurred on the 18th of December, 1795, in the 
eightieth year of his age. 

The pastorate of Mr. Thayer began auspiciously with the benediction of his 
venerable predecessor, who came out of his door when the young minister 
was passing after the ordination services, and placing his hand on the head 
of his colleague, invoked the divine blessing, and said: "I now die in peace. 
I can now go and bear witness to my brother, from whom I received this 
people, that I leave (hem united, prosperous and happy." The new minister 
came from Cambridge with the new views which had become prevalent there 
towards the close of the last century, though as yet there was no avowed 
departure from the ancient standards of the faith. His position was similar to 
that of Dr. Channing, Dr. Henry Ware, and the fathers of tho Unitarian 
denomination, and remained so with little modification, it is believed, during 
his long and happy ministry of forty-seven years. His death occurred suddenly 
at Rochester, N. Y., when on a journey, at two o'clock in the morning of 
June 22, 1840. His remains wore brought to Lancaster, and were laid in the 
tomb in the middle cemetery with all the marks of the general esteem, and the 
veneration of his parishioners. Dr. Thayer was a minister by birth, preference 



GOG TOWN OF LANCASTER. 

:ui(.l training. lie was punctual in the performance of all ministerial duties, 
was a good speaker, an able serniouizer, a prudent manager, a lover of peace, 
and ii man fitted to inspire confidence. 

A brief space must bo given to the formation of new towns out of the 
ample domain of Lancaster. Between 1732 and 1740 the three towns of 
Harvard, Bolton and Leominster were incorporated. The south-western part 
was erected into a precinct in 1743, and was made a town April 25, 17S1. 
Still later, a large section of Lancaster was cut otf from the south end, and 
now forms a part of Boylston and AVest Boylston. When Berlin was cut oli" 
from Bolton, a slice from the mother towns was added. In 1850, the town 
of Clinton from the south end of Lancaster was made a separate municipality, 
and took with its new honors, much of the life and business of the old and 
diminished hive. But there was still left the ancient centre with ample 
territory, and with the beauty and fertility which have always made Lancaster 
the delight of the traveler and the pride of its inhabitants. 

In the Revolution, Lancaster took the position becoming to the oldest, most 
populous and wealthiest town in the county. This was her position before 
the forming of new towns from her territory in 1732-40, and continued to be 
till the outbreak of the Revolution. By the formation of Sterling she lost 
about half her territory and population, and since then has never taken the 
foremost place. Other towns became business centres, and have enjoyed a 
vigorous growth. While the troubles were rising and coming to a head, in 
the years preceding the clash of arms at Lexington, this town was preparing 
for the conflict which was foreseen to bo inevita))le. A few leading men 
adhered to the royal cause, but the great mass of citizens were ardent patriots, 
and their minds were early made np to resist the encroachments on their rights 
and liberties to the last extremities. It 1773, the town raised money to buy 
cannon, balls and powder, and directed the selectmen to supply poor men 
"with good arms for the use of said town." Men in good circumstances gave 
money to supply others with the weapons of war. AVhen tho news came from 
Lexington, in tho early part of the day, a company of "minute-men," under 
Capt. Benjamin Houghton, and Capt. Thomas Gates's company of cavalry, 
hastened to Cambridge to aid in repelling the royal forces. These went for a 
limited time, but cimipany after company took their places, until the regular 
Continental force was organized under Washingtt)n. 

The people were ripe for independence before the Continental Congress was 
read}' to make tho immortal Declaration. When that came it was received 
with solemn delight, and was inscriiicd on the records of the town in "per- 
petual memorial." The people, in their primary cajiacit}-, made their own the 
act of their delegates, and pledged "their lives, their fortunes, and their 
Sacred honor" to maintain it to the triumi)hant close. Year after year the 
town raised soldiers, and voted money and supplies, with wonderful lii)erality 
when wo consider the strain that was put upon them by the prolonged contest. 



MILITARY ACTIVITY. 607 

From lists of sokliors fouiul in tlio arcliives of the State, wo Icuni that oiglity- 
one men enlisted in the second year of tlio war, and with the exception of 
twenty-one men who went on six months service at West Point, there were 
sixty who joined the army either for three years or during tiic war. Tlieir 
average time of service being about twenty-seven months, it follows tiiat, 
besides the men in the West Point expedition, the town had not far from forty 
soldiers continuously in the service of the country. Leaving out those who 
hastened to Lexington, and later to Bunker Hill, the whole number who went 
from tiiis town into the war exceeded three hundred. Joseph Willard, the 
historian, states tliat "one-half of all the ratable polls, from sixteen years and 
upwards," were in the (ield at different times. If the boys under eighteen, 
and the men over forty-five should lie deducted, there would be only a few 
able-bodied men left who did not go to the front and bear the hardships of 
the camp, the march, and the battle-field. Quite a number died in the war of 
the Revolution. Some were killed in battle; some were mortally wounded ; 
some died of camp fevers and other distempers, and some came home with 
enfeebled constitutions. The war drank deep of the life-blood of the town. 
The cost of war was also a heavy drain upon all the resources of the people. 
They gave money, food, clothing, and other stores to the extent of their 
ability. In that hei'oic age, the men and women of Lancaster evinced the 
spirit of true heroism and love of freedom. 

In general politics the people of the town were sound to the core. Tiiey 
were in favor of a State constitution which combined security and law with the 
greatest liberty of the citizen. They were in favor of the Confederation until 
it was superseded by the Constitution of the United States. The delegate 
from Lancaster was one of the seven from (he county of Worcester who voted 
in favor of the ratification of that instrument of government, and ho did it 
under instructions passed in town meeting. They were nearly or quite unani- 
mous in opposition to the Shays Rebellion, and they gave their united suffrages 
in support of Washington and Adams. 

The part which Lancaster took in suppressing the Rebellion was worthy of 
her early historj'. The first meeting of citizens was held April 22, to consider 
matters relating to the war. Addresses were made by several gentlemen, and 
it was voted to have a legal town meeting called at once. A committee was 
chosen to raise volunteers. The mooting was hold April 29, and voted to pay 
each volunteer one dollar a day for twenty days for drilling, and thirteen 
dollars a month, in addition to his pay from the Government, when in service. 
The treasurer, John W. Washburn, was authorized to borrow $5,000. The 
other treasurers during the war were C. A. Pollard and Solon Wilder. The 
town clerk was Dr. J. L. S. Thompson. The selectmen in diflferent years 
were James Childs, Jeremiah Moore, Warren Davis, Jonathan Buttrick, S. 
R. Merrick, George W. Howe, L. L. Farwoll. In 18G2, July 23, the select- 
men were authorized to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each three- 



COS TOWN OF LANCASTER. 

years volunteer crediteil to the quota of (ho town. Tlic same houiity was paid 
to nine-months men. For the relief of sick and wounded soldiers, and for the 
families of those who had died in the service, there was a snhscription of 
$1,300. In 18G4, March 7, a bounty of $12.5 to each volunteer for three years 
service was voted. The town furnished one hundicd and eighty-one men for 
the war, aecordiug to the authority of Gen. Schonier, which was a surplus of 
ten above all demands. Six were commissioned officers. Capt. Edward II. 
Washburn, Col. Francis Washburn and Capt. George L. Thurston died of 
hard service or mortal wounds. They acquired distinction for good conduct 
and undaunted courage. The soldiers in general were animated by a spirit of 
patriotism; they suffered almost iucredilde hardships, and they helped in 
achieving grand results. The Memorial Tal)let in Memorial Ilall contains the 
names of thirty-nine men who fell iu the war, but several have since died 
whose death was hastened by sufferings iu the field and in rebel prisons. 

The amount of money expended b}' the town on account of the war was 
$17,3G4.06, and the amount paid for State aid was $9,017.18. Resides this 
sum, the ladies raised $3,500 for the use of the Sanitary Commission, making 
a total of $29,881.24. According to Gen. Schouler the ladies of this town 
"were especially active in good works for the soldiers during all the war. 
The number of articles for hospital use was very great." In addition, they did 
much to aid the Freedmen several years after the war. 



CHAPTER II. 

EXCELLENCE OF SCHOOLS — ACAUEMV — EDUCATION IN GENERAL — ECCLESIAS- 
TICAL MATTERS LATER DENOMINATIONS STATE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL 

ROADS AND BRIDGES LIBRARIES BANK POST-OFFICE AND CEMETERIES 

GEOLOGY AND LOCAL POSITION. 

The children of Lancaster, in comparison with those of other towns, have 
had good schools from the beginning. AVe have seen that about nine-tenths of 
the orginal settlers could read and write. Before the town was settled the 
General Court had enjoined the towns to see that even/ child should be 
educated. The selectmen wei'c required lo see that all children should bo able 
to "perfectly read the English tongue, and obtain a knowledge of the cajjital 
laws," under a penalty of twenty shillings. In 1G47, six years before the town 
was set up, the law compelled the towns which contained fifty householders to 
maintain a free school for every child. Without doubt Lancaster complied 
with the law. The records from 1(;73 to 1724 are lost, but at the latter date 
there is evidence of the existence of schools in the town. They were kept in 



SCHOOL INTERESTS. 609 



the central portion, ;uul in Still River and on Bear Ilill, hotli now in Harvard, 
before 1732, when that town was incorporated. For several years in the 
middle of the last century the sum raised for schools was £40 silver money. 
lu 1757 the sum was £G0, and it was voted to open a grammar school. This 
was continued, probably, till an academy took its place, or superseded it. 
The ancient languages were taught more than a hundred years ago in a 
mi<'-ratory school, now in the Centre, next on George Hill, and then on Ballard 
Hill. From time to time the annual appropriation was increased. Besides, 
the early ministers prepared young men for college, and gave an advanced 
education to those who never entered on a collegiate course. In 17G1 the 
sum of £100 was raised for schools. Before the Revolution it became a 
settled policy to have the grammar school kept in each precinct (Lancaster and 
Chocksett about an equal length of time each year, though in some years it 
was seven months in the first and five in the second precinct). In 1785, after 
the separation of Sterling, £100 were devoted to schooling. A grammar school 
was kept through the year. When Mr. Thayer was settled, a new impulse was 
given to the cause of education. The town made him chairman of the school 
committee, and associated with him some of the leading citizens, like Judge 
Sprague and Gen. Whiting, Dr. Atherton and Capt. Samuel Ward, men of 
wide reputation. In 1790 the town built a house for the "Latin grammar 
school," on common land, which was on the square a few rods north of the 
depot. English grammar schools must not be confounded with this. In 1796, 
when Federal money came into use, seven hundred and seventy-five dollars 
were raised for schooling, and of this sum two hundred and seventy-five dollars 
went for the support of the Latin grammar school. The sum raised for schools 
in 1804 was one thousand dollars. The Latin grammar school was given up, 
by degrees, between 1815 and 1825; that is, the Academy was started in the 
former year, and the appropriation for Latin school was made less and less till 
it ceased. There were several men in the list of teachers who became 
distinguished, such as Edward Bass, first Episcopal Bishop of Massachusetts ; 
Moses Hemenwa}', an eminent divine in Maine ; Abel Willard, Dr. Israel 
Atherton, Gen. Joseph Warren, Josejoh Willard, President of Harvard College, 
Rev. Dr. Chauning, Miss Caroline Lee Whiting (Mrs. Hcutz) and others. 

The money devoted to school purposes increased gradually. In 1844 the 
sum was $1,400. In 1860, the year before the Rebellion, it was $2,000. In 
1871 the sum was $4,000; 1874, $5,000; the next two years, $6,000; in 1878 
and 1879, $5,500. In 1871 an arrangement was made to send scholars to the 
academy kept by JNIr. William A. Kilbourn, at the expense of the town. In 
1873 the committee started a free high school, which has been continued till 
the present time. Though the town is not obliged by law to have a school of 
this grade, yet the money for its support has been freely granted. Almost 
from the beginning the school has been under the care of Mr. Le Roy Z. Collins, 
and has gained a high reputation. 



CIO TOWN OF LANCASTER. 

The Lancaster Academy was started in 1815. Ten j-ears later it waa 
reorganized, and a building erected for its accommodation in the Centre, which 
remained till the snmmer of this year, 1879, when a new and more elegant 
edifice for the schools in the centre of the town was built on the same site. 
The academy was well attended, and had eminent teachers till about 1870, 
when (he establishment of a high school superseded it. Some of the teachers 
were, Abel Whitney, a noted Boston teacher; Jared Sparks, George B. Emer- 
son, Nathaniel Kingsbury, and other men of reputation. 

The Hon. James G. Carter, an earnest friend of higher education, had the 
charge of a private school for several years, and prepared many youths for 
college and professional life or Inisiness pursuits. In May, 18o3, the late 
Prof. William Russell, with a superior corps of assistants, opened the "New 
England Normal Institute," in the nppcr room of the town hall, and for a few 
terms had a large attendance of pupils preparing for the profession of teaching. 
The normal schools of the State were less expensive, and their standard was 
lower ; in consequence the Institute failed of support, but it is remembered with 
gratitude by many pupils. His school was followed by one of a high grade, under 
the care of Rev. Milo C. Stcbbins, since principal of the high school of 
Springfield, and the boarding-school of Mr. William A. Kilbourn. The educa- 
tional advantages of Lancaster have been superior in all the past generations, 
as they are at present. 

A resume of ecclesiastical matters will be expected. There was I)ut one 
church and one religious socict}' in Lancaster till a few j'cars previous to the 
decease of Rev. Dr. Thayer, which occurred in 1840. In 1837, the Univer- 
salists began to have preaching, and the Evangelical Congregational Church 
was organized in 1839. Other societies have since been formed. But, resum- 
ing the history of the first or Unitarian Church, it appears that the Rev. 
Edmund H. Sears was installed as pastor on the 23d of December, 1840. This 
gentleman, of scholarly habits and devout and earnest spirit, remained until he 
asked a dismission, on account of failing health, in April, 1847. He became 
eminent as an author of works of a learned and devotional cast in later years, 
which endeared him to Christians without regard to denominational lines. The 
Rev. George M. Bartol, a native of Freeport, Me., and a graduate of Browu 
University, was ordained as his successor on the 4th of August, 1847. During 
the thirty-two years of his pastorate, the harmony which is hereditary in this 
religious society has prevailed. 

As said above, the Universal ist meetings began to be held in 1837, in private 
houses. On the 7th of March, 1838, a meeting was held, which voted that 
"wo form ourselves into a body, to be known and denominated the First Uni- 
versalist Society in Lancaster, for the purpose of extending a knowledge of 
faith as held by Universalists, and the support of public worship in tiiis town." 
They had preaching for several years, and built a neat and convenient house of 
worship in South Lancaster. Among their ministers were : Revs. R. S. Pope, 



SUCCESSIVE PASTORS. 611 



Lucius R. Paige, D. D., John ILiirimiui, J. S. PahiUT ami Benjamin Wiiitte-- 
more, D.D. The latter l)cgan his labors in 1848. After a few years, tlic 
congregation was scattered by removals and other causes, and the meetiiig- 
huuse was sold to the State for a clia[)cl at the Industrial School for Girls on 
the Old Common. 

The Orthodox or Evangelical Congregationalists were organized as a church 
on the '22d of May, 183It, a legal society having been formed in the preceding 
February. The first minister, Rev. Charles Packard, had been bred for the bur, 
and had practiced law several years, when he felt constrained to enter the min- 
istry. He was ordained as the pastor of tlie new church on the first day of 
January, 1840, and, after a useful ministry of about fourteen years, was dis- 
missed, in the spring of 1854, to become the pastor of a Congregational church 
in Cambridgeport. The council that effected the dismission gave him the usual 
and well-deserved letter of commendation. His influence in the town was that 
of a devoted minister of the gospel and a public-spirited citizen. 

His successors are still in the land of the living. The first was Rev. Frank- 
lin B. Doe, a graduate of Bangor Theological Seminary, who was ordained 
Oct. 19, 1854. After a ministry of nearly four years, he was dismissed Oct. 
6, 1858, to become the pastor of a church in Wisconsin. For several years he 
has been superintendent of home missions in that State. The Rev. Amos E. 
Lawrence was installed as his successor Oct. 10, 1860, and remained till March 
6, 1864, when he asked a dismission. The church complied, expressing "cor- 
dial sympathy," and invoking the "gracious guidance" and "rich blessings" of 
the Great Head of the Church. The Rev. George R. Leavitt was ordained 
March 29, 1865, and continued till the close of 1869. Early in 1870, he was 
dismissed by a council, which commended him in most cordial terms to all the 
churches of Christ. Soon after, he was settled over the Pilgrim Church in 
Cambridgeport, where he still resides. After the usual liearing of different 
supplies, the Rev. A. P. Marvin was engaged in the early part of Octo- 
ber, 1870, for a year. He was invited to become the settled pastor in 1872, 
and on the first day of May was installed. At his own request, he was dis- 
missed by an ecclesiastical council, Oct. 21, 1875, after a ministry of a little 
over five years, cither as acting or settled pastor. His residence has since 
then been in Lancaster. After hearing many candidates, Mr. William Do 
Loss Love, Jr., united the church and society in extending a unanimous call, 
and he was ordained, under favorable auspices, on the 18th of September, 
1878. The charge to the pastor was given by his father. Rev. Dr. Love, now 
pastor of the church at South Hadley, where the teachers and pupils of JMount 
Holyoke Seminary attend his services. 

There have been members of the New Jerusalem or Swedenborgian connec- 
tion in this town more than half a century. Meetings have been held at inter- 
vals of time, but no regular church was organized till the year 1875, when, in 
the month of August, the "New Jerusalem Church of Lancaster" was con- 



612 TO'WN OF LANCASTER. 



stitntcd in the usual way. The inombers, to the number of twenty, l)elongod 
to Lancister, Harvard, Liinenljiirg, Leominster and Berlin. The ofEcer.s are 
a clerk, treasurer and executive committee of three. Tlie society has had the 
occasional ministrations of Rev. Abiel Silver, Rev. James Reed and Rev. 
Joseph Pcttee, but never have enjoyed the services of a resident minister. 
Their readers, at different times, have been Joseph Andrews, Gihnau AYorccs- 
ter, Henry "Wilder and Iloralio D. Humphrey, who serves in that capacity at 
present. Their meetings liavc been in private houses, and latterly in an ante- 
room of the town hall. 

The Seventh-Day Adventists are a variety of the great body of Millenariaus, 
who l)elieve in the speedj' visible coming of Christ, and who agree with the 
Baptists iu the matter of immersion. Their first meetings in Lancaster were 
held iu the north-west part of the town, in 1850, at the house of Lewis H. 
Priest. In 18G4, they effected an organization at the house of Mr. Priest, who 
had removed to South Lancaster. There were five male and five female mem- 
bers. Stephen N. Haskell moved into the place, and has retained the position 
of elder, making this his home, though spending considerable time at Battle 
Creek, Mich. Their meetings were held in different places till 1875, when 
they occupied a small chapel. A neat and convenient house of worship was 
dedicated early in May, 1878. There are now eighty members of the church, 
the majority of whom reside in the town; but some live in Still River, and 
others in Bolton. The public services'are held on Saturday, which is observed 
with great strictness as the Sabbath. 

The Roman Catholics, for many years after their coming to Lancaster, 
resorted to Clinton for spiritual direction, and for the purpose of worship ; but, 
by the j-ear 1872, they had become so numerous as to need a more convenient 
place for meeting. Accordingly, a good lot of land was bought in that year, 
and, in the year following, a church was built. It was dedicated July 12, 
1873, iu the presence of a huge company. The Rev. R. Patterson of Clinton 
has had charge of the parish from the begiuning. 

The " State Industrial School for Girls," was established on the Old Com- 
mon in 1854, with the Rev. Bradford K. Pierce, D.D., as superintendent, 
and under the direction of a board of trustees appointed by the governor and 
council. The successors of Mr. Pierce have been Rev. jNIarcus Ames, Dea. 
Loring Lothrop, and the present incumbent, Mr. N. T. Brown. Regular 
worship on the Sabbath has been always maintained at this institution. 

The roads and l)ridges of Lancaster are exceptionally good. It was easier 
to make roads than in the neighboring towns wheu the first settlers came, by 
reason of the more favorable surface ; but in the spring and fall, the ways 
were muddy in some parts, and in others were sandy when not covered with 
snow. "Within a few years the road-beds have been greatly improved ; on the 
other hand the making of bridges has always been a great bill of expense. 
The Nashua River iu its windings flows through intervale not less than about 



LIBRARIES. 613 



twenty miles in the town. It was difficult to find or to m;iko solid foundations 
for al)utnicnts or piers. The consequence was that the bridges were swept 
away hy every great freshet. Near the beginning of the century a Iietter plan 
was adopted liy discarding the old mnd-sill abutments, an<l building them of 
stone. An ingenious mechanic invented a bridge which spanned the river, and 
thus did away with trestle-work in the middle of the strciim. AVilhin a few 
years all the bridges on the river, eight in number, have been founded on hard 
bottom or on piles, and constructed of iron. With such roads and briilgcs the 
facilities for travel are unsurpassed. 

T>ancaster has had the benefit of good reading from the beginning. It is 
not meant that the early settlers had many books besides the Bible and a few 
works of devotion; but the first minister and all his successors have been men 
of literary tastes. It is known that some of them had considerable libraries. 
In the last century there were several men and women of more than ordinary 
culture, and their houses were supplied with the belter kind of literature. A 
library was formed just l)cfore the decease of Rev. Mr. Harrington, which proves 
that there was a reading class in the town. In October. 1790, there was a 
meeting of the proprietors of Lancaster Library. Persons became members 
by election, on condition of paying three dollars. The collection of books 
comprised some of the best works in English literature. Additions were made 
till 1800, when the "Social Library" took his place. This library continued 
to grow till 1850, when the books were sold by auction, and were scattered 
among the families of the town. School district libr.aries were formed in 
several districts in 1844 and following years. Sunday school libraries are 
conuected with the various churches. About thirty years ago an agricultural 
library consisting of over one hundred and fifty volumes was formed. lu 
1851, a year after the Social Library was dissolved, the library club of Lan- 
caster was formed. The collection of books was of a superior order, and by 
1862 contained above six hundred volumes. Al)ont this time the club and 
the agricultural library presented their books to the town, which on the second 
of Aprd, 18G2, established a "public library." Three hundred dollars were 
raised for new books the first year. For several years past the town has 
appropriated one thousand dollars for the library, besides the avails of the 
dog-tax. The town also pays for warming and lighting the library building 
and keeping it iu repair. The gifts to the library have been liberal. 

In 1806, Mr. Nathaniel Thayer gave five thousand dollars, the income of 
•which was to be " expeuded in the purchase of books." In 1868-9, Col. 
Francis B. Fay gave one thousand dollars for the library, and one hundred dollars 
for the purchase of a clock. George A. Parker, Esq., gave five hundred dollars' 
worth "of tine art works," and seven hundred dollars to increase that depart- 
ment of the library. In 1875, Miss Mary Whitney left a bequest of one hundred 
dollars ; and in 1879, Miss Deborah Stearns left a bequest of two hundred dollars 
for the library ; aud in 1878, the Hon. George Bancroft presented the town, for 



614 TOWN OF LANCASTEE. 



the use of the libniiy, a irift of one thoiisuncl dollars, to establish "The Ban- 
croft Lii)rar3' Fund in honor of Capt. Samuel Ward." In 1807-8, an elegant 
library hnilding was ereeted under the name of "The Memorial Hall." It is 
in honor of the soldiers who fell in the war for suppressing the Rebellion, and 
is well designed for that purpose as well as a depository of books, and of 
artieles pertaining to a natural history collection. Five thousand dollars Avere 
raised by subscription; a similar sum was given by the town, and the balance 
of the cost of the building was paid b}' Sir. Thayer. The whole cost was nearly 
thirty thousand dollars. There are now over ten thousand volumes in the 
library, many of which are valuable, and some of which arc costly. 

Lancaster has a national bank, the presidents of which have been James G. 
Carter, Jacob Fisher and George AV. Howe. The cashiers have been Xorman 
T. Leonard, G. R. M. Withiugton, Caleb T. S^'mmes (about thirty years), 
and AVilliam H. McNeil. It has also a spirited Farmers' Club, which has done 
much to promote a feeling of good neighborhood, as well has to improve the 
cultivation of the land. The president is William A. Kilbourn, and the secre- 
tary John G. Chandler. There are two good public houses ; viz., Hotel Lan- 
caster in the Centre, and Fairbanks' Hotel in the North Village. 

It has a post-office and a railroad station on the Worcester and Nashua 
Railroad at the Centre and at South Lancaster. Its business has always been 
farming chiefly ; though the making of put and pearl ashes w;is begun in the 
town more than a hundred years ago, and there was a nail-factory and a trip- 
hammer in operation before the close of last centur3\ Two cotton-mills, 
cabinet-making, the manufacture of piano-kc3-s, hat-making, comb-making, and 
the building of carts and wagons, have, at difleront times, given cmplo^-ment to 
many. Fiftj' years ago there was a large printing establishment that had 
several hundred hands engaged in printing, engraving, type-making, stereo- 
typing, binding, map-coloring and other parts of the work. The number of acres 
of land, nearl}' all improvable, is nine thousand eight hundred and seventy- 
three ; the niunbcr of farms, by the census of 1875, is one hundred and 
twenty-five ; the value of farms and buildings is $620,550 ; the value of fruit- 
trees and vines, $12,680 ; value of domestic animals, $60,978 ; value of total 
farm property, $714,910. The capital invested in various manufactures, by 
the same census, was $82,095 ; the value of goods made and work done was 
$184,200. 

There arc six public cemeteries in the town, besides the burial-place of the 
Shakers. The Old Buiying-yard, and the Old Common Burying-3'ard, are inter- 
esting and sacred for their antiquit\'. The oldest stone, having an inscription, 
bears the date of 1GS4. The North Village Cemeter}' is a beautiful resting-place 
for the mortal remains of friends. Eastwood Cemetery, recently opened, 
contains nearly fifty acres, and is susceptible of being made one of the most 
fitting rural burial-places in the Commonwealth. The town makes annual 
appropriations for keeping the public yards in order ; and Mr. Nathaniel 



PHYSICAL ASPECTS. G15 



Thayer has given a fund of three thousand dollars, Iho iiicorao of which is to be 
applied by the library committee, for the same i)iir[)ose. The library cominittco 
is therefore the cemetery committee. Much good sense and taste have Ijeen 
exhibited by the citizens in setting up neat or elegant, instead of tall and 
showy monuments. 

Geoh)gically speaking, the town lies in the formation of argillaceous slate 
■which extends from Worcester towards the northern boundary of the State. 
A quarry of fine slate in the northern part of the town was worked in the last 
century, and has been opened again within a few years. Fine specimens of 
andalusito abound in the western part, on George Hill, in which the "cross," 
always seen in such specimens, is either white or deep brown inclining to red. 
On the farm of Benjamin Farns worth is a bed of very good fuller's earth, which 
is valuable to the owner. Clay beds yield the material for a large number of 
bricks. These are mainly owned by Samuel R. Damon, north of the Centre. 

The centre of the town is in latitude 42° 27' 30", and the distance to 
Worcester, in direct line, is fourteen miles aud two-tenths; to Boston, thirty- 
five miles. To Worcester, by rail, the distance is nineteen miles, or eighteen 
to the court-house. The present boundaries of the town are, north by Lunen- 
burg and Shirley, east by Harvard and Bolton, south liy Clinton, and west by 
Sterling and Leominster. 

Many persons of considerable distinction have lived in Lancaster without 
becoming permanent residents. The number of natives who have acquired 
reputation in public life, in the military line, or in literature, is unsurpassed by 
that of any town in the county except Worcester, if that is an exception. 
Among the native writers may be mentioned Mrs. Caroline Lee (Whiting) 
Hentz, Miss Hannah F. Gould, and Mrs. Mary G. (Chandler) Ware. 

Among the ingenious men of Lancaster were Samuel liugg and Farnham 
Plummer. The former devised a loom for cotton cloth, which was a great 
improvement. The latter invented what was styled an "arch-bridge." It 
was of wood, and spanned an ordinary' stream without trestles. He also pro- 
duced other inventions. 

The beauty of the landscape in this town is enhanced by the variety of forest, 
field and road-side trees. Elm, ash, and maple trees are chiefly used for shade ; 
though in j'ards aud lawns, there is a great variet}' of evergreen and deciduous 
trees. The elms on the streets aud in the intervales are large and symmetrical. 
The queen of all is an elm in Lovers' Lane, on the east side of the Nashua, 
below the centre bridge, which is twenty-seven feet in diameter, three feet from 
the ground. Much attention is paid to tree-culture, both for fruit and orna- 
ment ; aud not less to the cultivation of plants and flowers. The people have a 
"goodly heritage"; the "lines have fallen to them in pleasant places," and they 
prize the gift. 



GIG TOWN OF LEICESTER. 



LEICESTER, 



BY REV. ABIJAH P. MARVIN. 



CHAPTER I. 

HISTORIES OF THE TOWS INDIAN TURCHASE EARLY SETTLERS AND SMALL 

PROPERTY — HIGHWAYS — CHURCHES — PASTORS — RECENT DEN03IINATI0NS. 

The town of Leicester is fortunate in its historians and annalists. Especially 
is it indebted to the lute Hon. Emory 'Washburn for several iiublications, 
including a largo volume, pertaining to its history. As long ago as 1826, he 
prepared an extended historical sketch for the "Worcester Magazine." The 
"History of the Leicester Academy" was prepared by him, as was also the 
address delivered at the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the town, and a 
Fourth of July oration in 1849. But his chief work in this lino was the "History 
of Leicester," an octavo volume, published in 18G0. Besides these publica- 
tions is the address of John E. Russell, Esq., at the Centennial Celebration of 
the Fourth of July, in 187G, with the speeches on the occasion. There is also 
an address by Rev. Alonzo Hill, D. D., with speeches from Hon. A. H. 
Bullock, Hon. Levi Lincoln, and others at the "Festival of the Leicester 
Academy," in 1855. The sermon occasioned by the death of the lato Dr. 
Nelson, by his colleague and successor. Rev. A. H. Coolidge, and the articles 
contributed to the "Worcester Spy" by Joseph A. Dennj', Esq., are an addi- 
tion to the historical literature of the town. 

All this, however, like the Frenchman's embarrassment of riches, gives per- 
plexity to one whose task it is to condense so inncli into a few pages. He 
becomes entangled in narratives which cannot bo abridged, and anecdotes that 
are spoiled by curtailment. The task of giving symmetry and proper jiropor- 
tion to the story is impossible. Therefore, tiie reader who has leisure must 
turn to the works above specified, and overlook the imperfections of the 
following. 

The territorj' including Leicester, Spencer, nearly half of Paxton, and a 
large section of Ward (now Auburn) Mas bought of the Indians, by a companj- 
of land speculators, in IGSG, ten years after King Philip's war, and about the 
time when the broken settlements of Lancaster and Brookficld were re- 



MANNER OF SETTLEMENT. 617 

cstablislunl. The Iiulian iKime was TowtaicI, of wliicli Oraskaso had formorly 
been the sachem. He left the headship to two daughters, one of wliom was 
named IMomokhue, the wife of Philip Tray, and the other was Waiwaynom, 
the wife of John "Wampscon. These women, with their husbands and Wand- 
woamag, "the deacon," signed the deed, Jan. 27, 1G86-7. The purchasers 
were residents of Roxhuiy, with these names : Joshua Lamb, Nathaniel Page, 
Andrew Gardner, Benjamin Gaml)lin, Benjamin Tucker, John Curtice, Rich- 
ard Draper, Samuel Ruggles, and Ralf Bradhurst. The sum of £1!'), New 
England currency, was the price. The tract of land was designated as "near 
the new town of the English called Worcester." 

Twenty-seven years passed away, when the proprietors took measures for 
the settlement of the purchase. Some of the original members of the company 
were dead, but the remainder took to themselves thirteen associates on the 23d 
of February, 1713. The wars of King William and Queen Anne had prevented 
the extending of settlements to any great extent in the intervening time. The 
purchasers, with their associates, who were men of influence, applied to the 
General Court to confirm their title to the land bought of the natives. The 
Court complied, and made a grant of eight miles square on conditions. One 
was that there should be fifty families settled, in a "defensible and regular 
way," in seven years. Lots were to be reserved for the ministry and for 
schools. By this act the purchase was fortified ])y a grant, and the proprietors 
b\' the double title of a "deed" from the Indians and an "act" of the General 
Court. The place had been called "Strawberry Hill," from the abundance of 
the luscious berries that grew on the hill in the centre. The town was now 
named Leicester, after the ancient city of that name in England. None of the 
proprietors, old or new, became residents, but, to induce settlors to move in, 
they offered to sell the east half of the town, in lots, on favorable terms. The 
west half was reserved for sale afterwards, as the land should be wanted, and 
as the market value should rise. This was in 1713, and the condition was 
that the buyers should be on the land by 1717, or foi'feit their purchase. The 
forfeits, however, were to be devoted to the building of a meeting-house, open- 
ing roads, and erecting bridges, so that the settlers would be benefited. In 
those times the "meadows" were much valued because they yielded grass before 
the other lands were subdued. There were two "cedar swamps," also, which 
were not divided. One was in the north-west and the other in the south-west 
of the town. In 1714, allotments were made in tracts of thirty, fort}' or fifty 
acres. One hundred acres were reserved for the schools, and forty for the 
ministry. Three lots were given on condition that mills should l)e erected 
upon them. In after divisions, each owner was to receive one hundred acres 
for every ten which he held. 

In 1722, a committee was chosen to give deeds of land in the east half of the 
tract. The condition was that a family should be settled, and one shilling per 
acre should be paid in to the proprietors. This vote was carried into effect, 



618 TOWN OF LEICESTER. 

Jau. 11, 1724, wheu a deed was executed of the several lots to tbirt^'-scven 
difleieut persons. Among those who l)ecame residents were persons bearing 
the names of Denny, Green, Earlc, Heushaw, Sargent, Livermore and South- 
gate. In 1744, the Avesterly half became a precinct, and in 1753 it was erected 
into a town by the name of Spencer. In 1765, a strip two miles wide on the 
north end was given, to help form Paxton, and in 1778 a section, containing 
two thousand live hundred acres, was set off to Wai'd (now Auburn). This 
left the boundaries as follows : On the north l)y Paxton ; on the east by Worces- 
ter and Auburn ; on the souUi by Oxford ; and on the west by Spencer. The 
latitude of the centre of the town is 42^ 14' 40". The distance to Boston by 
air-line is forty-three miles, but by any traveled road about tifty miles. 

The town is on the height of land between the ocean and the valley of the 
Connecticut, and the streams flow l)y the Chicopee into the Connecticut, b}' the 
Quiuebaug into the Thames, and into Narraganset Bay through the Black- 
stone. Before Paxton was cut off, the north end of the town was on the 
border of the height of laud which sends a stream into the Nashua. The whole 
of the present town slopes to the south, and the brooks descend in a rapid em- 
inent, giving great power in proportion to the (juantity of water. The hills are 
numerous and rather steep, compared with those in Worcester on the east, and 
Brookfield on the west. The valleys are narrow, and the meadows small ; but 
meadows, valleys and hills are covered with "living green" from spring to 
autumn. From the hill-tops, wide and panoramic views are obtained, taking 
in lakes and forests, and cultivated summits near at hand, as well as lofty 
eminences in the distance. Hcnshaw Pond in the south-east, and Shaw Pond 
in the north-west, are fed by living springs, and are like sparkling gems in the 
landscape. 

The lot on which the house of Rev. Samuel Ma}' stands was the first that 
was built upon, according to tradition. From the eastern edge of the central 
village, it looks off upon a goodly prospect eastward and southward. 

The first settlers, with few exceptions, were farmers, l)ut the needs of the 
farmers induced a few mechauics to take up their abodes in the new town. In 
1717 Moses Stockbridge, a carpenter, came; in 1722, John and Nathaniel 
Potter, of the same trade, became residents, which ftict indicates that other 
people wanted houses and barns about that time. Abiathar Vinton, a black- 
smith, came in 1723. Joshua Nichols, a tailor, was on the ground in 1721. 
In 1724 a mason named Thomas Hopkins came to set up chimneys in the houses 
built by the carpenters. There were also millwrights in those early da3s. 

On the 17th of March, 1722, the first recorded town meeting was held, but 
there liad Ijeen meetings before, as appears I)y facts on record. For example, 
a meeting-house had been already built, which must have lieen done by town 
action. Again, the town was represented in the General Court, in 1721, by 
Judge Menzies. It is probalilc that tlie first action, in legal town meeting, 
was in 1718. At the meeting March 17, 1722, Samuel Green was chosen 



ROADS AND WAYS. 619 



moderator, first selectman, assessor and grand juror. Nathaniel Richardson 
was choscu town clerk. The other selectmen were John Smith, Nathaniel 
Richardson, James Southgato and John Lynd. Richard Southgatc was 
trcasnrer. One of the earliest, and perhaps the first physician, was Dr. 
Lawton, of respectable business and reputation in his profession; died in 17G1. 
This may warrant the inference that he had resided some years in the town. 
His medical library was not large, as his medical books were appraised at £2 
4s. Gd., in an estate valued at £317 8.s'. (JJ. The law-books inherited from his 
father, an attorney-at-law, were appraised at 5s. Stl. The silver plate of the 
doctor was valued at £4 15s. 4d., and his two looking-glasses at 12s. Accord- 
ing to Judge Washburn he had au hour-glass and a pillion, but neither a watch, 
clock or carpet. 

One or two similar facts may be stated as showing the comparative mcagre- 
ness of house-furnishing in the first half of the last century. Israel Parsons, 
the son of the first minister, died in 1767. lie was the grantee of all his 
father's estate, real and personal, and was at one time a large landholder. At 
his death his farm was appraised at £240, but he left neither carpet, clock or 
watch. He had two looking-glasses, one valued at 32s., and the other at 10s. 
8d. Dr. Larned, a young physician, died in 1783, and his "physical authors," 
or medical works, were valued at 16s. 3d. Another instance in the same line 
is found in the inventory of Stewart Southgate. He was a man of property, a 
surveyor, and much engaged in public business. The inventory contains no 
article of glass, china or earthenware. It mentions one silver spoon, value 
lis ; three looking-glasses appraised at 7.s'. 6d., and a clock. There was no 
carpet in his house. His library consisted of one Bible, one Bailey's dictionary, 
and thirty-eight small pamphlets. 

The roads in the early days of the town were exceedingly primitive and 
rough. It was necessary to wind into the town from Worcester b^' the most 
feasible route. This was from the south-east through the centre, and this was 
the great route of travel to the west for several generations, though the loca- 
tion had been changed in spots several times. The road to Paxton was laid 
out in 1721, and ran from a starting point " behind the meeting-house, and 
close by the same," through the woods, liy marked trees, towards the north. 
In 1744 a road was laid out from the south lino of the town to Dr. Green's, by 
" said Green's wolf-pit," which was dug for the purpose of catching wolves 
which then infested the settlement. But the great road was that through the 
centre, from east to west. The town, in 1722, applied to the Court of 
Sessions to have the "country road" laid out through the town. The applica- 
tion fiiilcd. It was then laid out as a town way, though generally called the 
"county road." It was four rods wide. It was probably made a county road 
in 1728. 

As the fathers gave religion the foremost place, it is time to consider what 
provision they made for public worship. It appears that a meeting-house was 



620 TOWN OF LEICESTER. 

erected before 1722 — perhaps in 1719 — but it was left unfinished till 1741. 
though it was used in its rough condition. In 1741 the town raised a hundred 
pounds to cover the meeting-house, and in 1743 it was enlarged. It Avas plain 
and cheap, with doors on three sides, but no steps. It had neither porch uor 
belfry, neither pew or galler\'. The windows were small, were made of 
diamond-shaped glass, and swung inward on hinges. The clap-boards were 
not painted, and the interior was not plastered, but "sealed " with boards as 
high as the "great girt" of the house. "Pew-gronnds" were sold to a few 
families, and a carpenter was paid twelve shillings "for building the deacon's 
pew," but the larger part of the floor was supplied with " body seats " or settees 
— plain benches, wiliiout backs — which were public, as in a hall. A centre 
Tuie divided the women from the men. The men sat on the west, and the 
women on the cast side of the line. When galleries were erected, the women 
occupied those on the east side of the house, and the men sat on the opposite 
side. In 1741 it was voted that"sunie young men," naming them, might 
build a pew in "the hind seats on the women's side" of the gallery, and a 
like number might do the same on the men's side. In 1743 measures were 
taken to add twelve feet to the length df the house, on the back side. When 
this was done the posts were left standing in the midst of the room. This 
house was used until 1784, when it gave place to a new and commodious 
structure, with ample galleries, and large square pews and sounding-board. 
The principal door was on the south side, with smaller doors on the east and 
west sides. About five years later the tower and steeple were added. It 
received a bell and clock in 1803. This bniiding, the whole interior of which 
was changed in 1829, continued until 1867. In November of that year the 
present larger and very handsome church building was dedicated. It includes, 
on the first floor, a large vestry, with several smaller rooms. 

The church was organized in the year 1721, probably on the 15th of Septem- 
ber, the day on Avhich the Rev. David Parsons was installed. This is the 
statement of Dr. Joseph Clark in "Congregational Churches of Massachusetts." 
Mr. Parsons was the grandson of Joseph Parsons of Northampton. He was a 
brother of Rev. Joseph Parsons, at one time minister in Lebanon, Conn., and 
afterwards in Salisbury, Mass. For twelve years Rev. David Parsons had 
been settled in Maiden, whence he was induced to remove to Leicester, and 
enter on a new pastorale in that destitute settlement. He came under the 
most flattering auspices, and all things promised a hai)py and useful ministry. 
The town, in calling him, in conjunction with the church, voted that he should 
have the "forty-acre lot ne.xt the nieotiug-house, and the rights, in quantity 
and quality, as other forty-acre lots drawn in after division," besides si.xt}' 
pounds settlement. His salary was fixed at sixty pounds. Thirty individuals 
then offered forty pounds additional to his settlement, and fifteen pounds to his 
salary. But in the course of a few years diflicultics arose about paying his 
salary. There was a long and bitter quarrel, which resulted in his dismission 



EARLY MINISTERS. 621 



by a mntiiiil 001111011 in 1735. Tlio impression left I)y (lie Dsinativo of Judge 
Washburn is iinf;ivoral)lc to (ho minister, but not a fact aiipears impeaching 
his character. His claim against the town was sustained by the Court of 
Sessions, and the town finally acknowledged it. The fact appears to bo that 
he sought his right in a harsh and provoking way. It was folly to suppose 
that he could usefully minister to a. people whom he had sued for the arrears of 
his salary, and he paid a severe penalt\' for his unwisdom. Among his 
descendants was a grandson, the Rev. Dr. David Parsons of Amherst, who 
was eminent for his talents and his sincere devotion to his sacred calling. 

The second settled minister was the Rev. David Goddard, who was born in 
Fraraingham, Sept. 2G, 170G, and a graduate of Harvard in 1731. The church 
and society gave him a call after a day spent in fasting and pr lyer for Divine 
guidance. His ordiuation took place, June 30, 173(5, and he continued in the 
office till his death, Jau. 19, 1754. His salary was often in arrear, but his 
spirit of Christian forbearance was more effectual than his predecessor's resort 
to the courts of law. Arrearages were paid in time, aud repeatedly fifty 
pounds were added to his salary. When on a visit to his native place, in the 
time of the "great sickness," he was suddenly cut off. His connection with 
his people, says the town historian, "was uniformly kindly and happy on both 
sides ; aud his sudden and early death, at the age of forty-seven, was deeply 
lamented as the loss of a faithful minister and good man." 

The Rev. Joseph Rolierts, a native of Boston in 1720, and a graduate of 
Cambridge in 1741, succeeded, and was ordained Oct. 23, 17.54, on an 
annual salaiyof £G6 13s. 8(Z., silver money. His settlement was £133 G.s. od., 
silver money, at Gs. Sd. per ounce. At the ordiuation the town provided for 
the entertainment of "ministers, messengers aud scholars." This gentlemanly 
hospitality was, however, but a trifle compared with the open-house hospitality 
of the people in their private capacity. An ordination, all through the last 
century, was made the occasion of general festivit}-. Every latch-striug was 
out, and every person, friend or stranger, was a welcome guest. A traveler 
could scarcely get through the town, on such a day, without repeated invita- 
tions to stop and take refreshments. "Ministers were settled for life," and 
the ordiuation, in addition to the solemn public services in the sanctuary, was 
a " great marriage feast." Mr. Roberts began his ministry with good pros- 
pects, as might be inferred from the terms of settlement, from his natural men- 
tal powers, and from his scholarly attainments, but his ministry here was a 
failure, from some cause. This failure has been attributed to his miserly spirit. 
The connection terminated in 17G2, December 14, though much against his 
wishes. After being in business and in public life in Weston, he died a bach- 
elor, at the great age of ninety-one, in 1811, having not "an article of his 
wardrobe fit for the tenant of an almshouse," yet with bags of money in his 
house. 

The next pastorate was emuicntly happy and useful. The Rev. Benjamin 



622 TOWN OF LEICESTER. 

Conklin, a native of Long Island, and a graduate of Princeton College, in 
1755, was settled in August, 1763. Provision was made for the entertainment 
of "ministers, scholars and gentlemen," by the town, and the fiiiuilies offered 
the same generous hospitality as on former occasions. His pastorate lasted 
during thirty years. Though not distinguished as a l)riHiant preacher, he 
maintained a respectable rank in his profession, and his influence among his 
jieople was great and salutary. He was largo in person, pleasant in manners, 
and his conversation was enlivened with humor and anecdote. In the Revolu- 
tion ail his sympathies were with his countrymen, and he was an ardent advo- 
cate of their cause. In conventions, and on a committee of correspondence, 
bis influence was felt. But when Shays' Rebellion was rampant and some of his 
townsmen were in the ranks of the insurgents, he gave all his influence in favor 
of upholding the State government, tliough at great personal peril. It is said 
that he was obliged, more than once, to fly from his house in order to escape 
the violence of infuriated and lawless men. In consequence of a "painful and 
incurable disease" he was led to accept a proposition for the termination of 
his ministry- in 1794. His people gave him a gratuity of one hundred and sev- 
enty pounds, and exempted his property from taxation. The separation was 
with mutual kindness, and this spirit continued till his death, which occurred 
about four years later, Jan. 30, 1798, when he was sixty-seven years of 
age. 

The succeeding pastor was the Rev. Zephaniah Swift Moore. He was 
called after several candidates had been heard, one of whom, afterwards Presi- 
dent Appleton of Bowdoin College, received a unanimous invitation to settle. 
Mr. Moore was born in Palmer in 1770, November 20; and he graduated 
at Dartmouth College in 1793, with high reputation. His ordination was on the 
10th of January, 1798, and his pastorate extended to Nov. 1, 1811, when he 
left town, to become professor of languages in his ahna mater, "attended by a 
large number of his parishioners and friends in carriages, who escorted him 
several miles from town ; while the children of the schools, ranged by the side 
of the road along which he was to pass, paid their simple testimony of respect 
and of sorrow at his departure by standing with saddened countenances and 
uncovered heads as the procession passed slowly by them." President Moore 
became the head of Williams, and later of Amherst College, and distinguished 
himself as a learned, wise and efEcient Christian man in those exalted posi- 
tions. A sketch of his life cannot be cramped into these narrow limits, but 
there is room to say that his ministry in Leicester was pre-eminently pleasant, 
and fruitful in all good influences and results. It is instructive to read the 
following words of Judge Washburn: "It is now — 1860 — near half a cen- 
tury since Dr. Moore's connection with Leicester ceased ; but the silent, indi- 
rect influence of such a man's teachings and example might have been traced 
in the moral and intellectual tone of that conmiunity, for many j'cars after his 
voice had ceased to be heard iu their pulpit, their schools, and their social cir- 




TOWN HALL, LEICESTEK, MA 



OTHER SOCIETIES. G23 

eles. His memory is still one of the historical treasures of which the town 
has so goodly a store in the recollections of the past." 

The late Rev. John Nelson, D. D. was ordained on the 4th of March, 1812, 
and his pastoral connection with the church and society continued till Dec. 0, 
1871, a period of fifty-nine years nine months and two days ; and it is within the 
limits of truth to say that the f\vvor bestowed on his youth, and the contidcnco 
and respect accorded to him in mature life, were ripened into love and venera- 
tion ill his old age. A volume would be needed for a full memoir of his life 
and ministry. In this place it will be enough to give the estimate of one of 
his clerical friends: "He ever seems to my thouglit as a man who, with the 
guilclcssuess of a Nathanael, had given himself to Jesus and habitually renew- 
ing strength from the Lord, has been continuing faithful unto death. I think 
we may appropriately say of him, as has been written of Barnabas, ' he was a 
good man, and full of the Holy Ghost, and of faith.'" 

The Rev. Andrew Clark Denison was ordained as a colleague, March 4, 
1851, when Dr. Nelson had completed the fortieth j'ear of his ministry save 
one. ]\Ir. Deuison's salary was six hundred dollars, while four hundred were 
continued to Dr. Nelson. Each received a hundred additional afterwards. The 
connection closed with harmonious feelings between all the parties in March, 
1856. A year later, April 21, 1857, the Rev. Amos H. Coolidge, the present 
pastor, was ordained. It may be allowed to say of him, after twenty-two years 
of peaceful and Heaven-blessed labor, that ho appears to be walking in the steps 
of his venerable predecessor, who gave him his blessing, and received his 
respectful homage, while preparing for his upward flight. 

A society of Baptists had established worship in Leicester as early as the 
year 1736, under the lead of Thomas Green, M. D., who became their minis- 
ter. Their place of worship was in the south part of the town, — now Green- 
ville, — about three miles from the centre. By his influence a meeting-house 
was erected, which was used until 1825, when it was enlarged and repaired. 
The society now have a new, handsome and well-arranged meeting-house, with 
bell and clock. Dr. Green was born in Maiden, but came to Leicester with 
his father when a young man. After working his way into the medical profes- 
sion, and obtaining a good practice, he became the pastor of the church, com- 
posed of members from Sutton and Leicester, in 1736. He gave a lot of land, 
together with a farm and house for a parsonage, to the society. He was popu- 
lar in the pulpit, and a faithful pastor. His death occurred Aug. 19, 1773, 
after a "life of great activity and usefulness." 

The Rev. Benjamin Foster, D. D., the next minister, was born in Danvers, 
in 1750, and was graduated at Yale College in 1771. Dr. Stillmau, a distin- 
guished Baptist divine of Boston, was his theological teacher. He came to the 
church in Greenville in 1772, and remained eight years, when he left because 
of inadequate support. After preaching in Danvers and Newport, he became 
the pastor of the First Baptist Society in New York. The manner of his death 



C24 TOWN OF LEICESTER. 

evinced the mingled heroism and piety of liis character. While the yellow fever 
was raging in the city in 1798, and others fled in consternation, he remained at 
his post, met every call of duty, and ministered to the dying and the dead until 
he fell a victim to the fatal disease. He was a man of learning, as well as of 
ability and piety, being a scholar in the Greek, Hebrew and Chaklaic languages. 
He was succeeded by Rev. Isaac Beals, Rev. Nathan Dana and Rev. Peter 
Rogers. A minister at one period was the Rev. Nathaniel Green. 

In 1818 the society was divided, and a new society was formed in the north- 
east part of Spencer. After the division the society in Greenville was minis- 
tered unto by Rev. Mr. Hill, and Revs. Benj. N. Harris, John Green and Moses 
Harrington. There was for some years another society-, which had Elder 
Richard Southgatc for its minister, but at his death the meetings were discon- 
tinued. At Greenville, the Rev. N. B. Cooke was settled in 1862, and con- 
tinued several years. The present pastor, settled in 1877, is the Rev. J. W. 
Searll. The number of members of the church is fifty-three. 

The Quakers or Friends in Leicester were formed into a societ}' as early as 
1732, but in consequence of the removal of a large number of its members, its 
place of meeting was transferred to Worcester some twenty-four or more years 
since. Ralph Earlc, ancestor of a numerous posterity, was a leading member 
of the society. He was active in the settlement of Mr. Parsons, it is believed, 
but, in 1732, with seven others, certified off, and became a member of 
the Friends, or what the town clerk styled "those people called Qnackers." 
His associates were William Earle, Benjamin Earle, Nathaniel Potter, Joseph 
Potter, Thomas Smith and Daniel Hill. They built a meeting-house, twenty by 
twenty-two feet, in the north part of the town, where most of the members had 
their homes. The spot where their meeting-house stood, — for it no longer 
exists, — was one of the most attractive in the town, being in a pine grove on 
a slight eminence, which .also served them for a burial-place ; and here, in the 
words of Mr. Washburn, "the ashes of some of the best citizens of the town 
in their day repose." In 1826 the society had as many as one hundred 
and thirty members. Removals and deaths have caused such changes that now 
only a single member of the society remains in the town. 

The Protestant Episcopal Church and Society, named Christ Church, was 
formed in Clappville (now Rochdale) in 1823, and the church edifice, erected 
upon land given by Mr. Hezekiaii Stone, Avas consecrated in May, 1821. 
Three other men among the most active in the enterprise were Samuel Ilartweli, 
James Anderton and Francis Will)y. Mr. Audcrton, and perhaps some of the 
others, were Englishmen, and attached to the national church. This is the 
oldest Episcopal church in the county. The first rector was the Rev. Joseph 
Muencher, who was born in Providence, and graduated at Brown University in 
1821. He studied theology at Andovcr, and was ordained in JIarch, 1824. 
After two or three years' service, ho left, and, in time, iiccanio a [)rofessor in 
Kcnyou College, Ohio, and received the title of D. D. Rev. William Ilorton 



JEWISH COLONY. 625 



wa8 his successor two years. He was followed by the Rev. Lot Jones, who 
was rector four years, ami afterwards was a very devoted minister in Philadel- 
phia. The rectors since, for one or more years, have been Revs. Ste|)hcu 

Millet, Rlackaller, Eleazer Greenleaf, John T. Sabine, William With- 

ino'ton, F. C. Putnam, Orange Clark, D. D., and James L. Scott. The last 
was followed by the Rev. J. Hill Rouse, who remained in charge until his death 
in 1860. Its present minister is the Rev. S. R. Bailey. The numl)cr of com- 
municants reported in 1878 was sixty-four. 

A religious society was organized by the Unitarians on the 30th of April, 
1833, and the next year they built a house of worship, which is descinbed as 
" neat and convenient." This was dedicated in 1834. The first minister was 
the Rev. Samuel May, who was ordained Aug. 13, 1831. Mr. May is 
a native of Boston, and a graduate of Harvard in the class of 1829. After a 
pastorate of twelve years, and on account of a difference between some leading 
men of the society and himself, as to his right to speak and act on the subject 
of slavery, he asked and received a dismission, according to usage. He has 
since resided in the place, taking an interest in all that concerns the 
public good. Since 184(! the pulpit has been supplied for different periods by 
Rev. James Thompson, D. D., during many years the pastor of the Unitarian 
Church in Barre, Rev. Frederick Hinckley, Rev. William Coc, Rev. Joseph 
Anofier, Rev. James Thurston, Rev. Everett Finley and Rev. David H. Mont- 
gomery, who was pastor from 1869 to 1877. 

The Methodists began to hold meetings in the town hall in October, 1842, 
though their number was small. But their increase was such that in 1846 they 
built two meeting-houses, one in Cherry Valley, and the other in the Centre. 
The first is a Methodist Episcopal church. The other, which was composed of 
secedcrs from the first on anti-slavery grounds, became Wesleyau Methodist. 
It is now in the Methodist Episcopal connection, the cause of difference having 
been removed. Both societies are now supplied by the same minister. 

A Catholic church was erected in Leicester in the year 1855. This was a 
good-sized wooden building, on a lot of land about half way between the centre 
village and Cherry Valley, and half a mile from either. The influx of Catholic 
population employed in the various f:ictories has tended to bring about this 
result. After some ten or twelve years, the church edifice becoming too small, 
it was removed to Rochdale, and there re-erected, so that there are now two 
Catholic churches in the town. On the site of the first church, a large and 
handsome brick edifice was erected when the old building was removed. The 
names of thc?e churches and their pastors are given in the statistics of churches 
iu the county history. 

There were quite a number of Jews in the town between 1777 and 1783, when 
they returned to Newport, R. I., whence they had come in the Revolution. 
They, with their servants and slaves, numbered about seventy. Though they 
had no synagogue or place of worship, it was their custom to keep Saturday 



626 TOWN OF LEICESTER. 

as their Ssihbath with great strictness, anil out of deference to their neighbors 
they abstaineil from all Inisiness and ont-door recreations on Sundaj'. It is 
said that they maintained with reverent diligence their peculiar forms of faith 
and worship. The reason of their leaving Newport was the occupation of 
that place hy the British forces. The cause of their leaving having been re- 
moved, they returned from Leicester after the treaty of peace was signed in 
1783. The}- were of Portuguese descent, and some of their names were 
Lopez, Eivcra and Mcndez. The name of Lopez was borne by five. The 
head of the family was Aaron Lopez, who was highly respected by friends, 
and by those with whom he had business transactions. During his residence in 
Leicester his business as a merchant of great wealth was still prosecuted. It 
is the tradition that this Jewish colony, as it may be called, so comported 
themselves as to win the respect and esteem of all in their neighborhood. As 
an indication of the strictness with which they trained their children, it is re- 
lated that when a child came from a neighbor's house one day, where he 
unwittingly tasted of pork, the mother hastened to have his mouth cleansed 
from all taint of " swine's flesh." Mr. Lopez, the leading man, was accidentally 
drowned while on the way to Newport. A contemporary paper spoke of him 
in the following terms : — "He was a merchant of eminence, of polite and ami- 
able manners. Hospitality and benevolence were his true characteristics. An 
ornament and a valuable pillar in the Jewish society of which he was a member, 
his knowledge in commerce was unbounded, and his integrity irreproachable. 
Thus he lived, and thus he died ; much regretted, esteemed and loved by all." 



CHAPTER II. 

MOVEMENTS FOU EDUCATION' LEICESTER ACADEMY — THE TOWN IN THE SUC- 
CESSIVE WAi;S — KEBELLION RECORD — BUSINESS AND MANUFACTURES— LIBRARY 
BANK NOTABLE AND WORTHV MATRONS. 

The first notice of a school in the town is under the date of 1731, when a 
school was kept for three months in three diflercnt places. The expense was 
£10 10s. in depreciated currency equal to $8.75. The ne.xt year the town 
failed to have a school, and were "presented" to the Court of Sessions for 
delinquency. This secured a school next year for three months, where reading 
and writing were taught. The school was kept in the public house or tavern 
of Jonathan Sargent. In 1736, measures were taken for I)uildiug a school- 
house, twenty by sixteen feet, and six and a half feet "between joynts." It 
was to be placed " about ten roils north of the meeting-house, in the most con- 
venautcst place." 

The following facts in relation to the schools arc gathered from a report 



EDUCATION. 627 



drawn up by Joseph A. Denny, Esq., in 1849. Mr. John Lyndc, Jr., was the 
first schoohBiistcr in the town, in IT.'U. For his second cn<r;igement he received 
£4 10s. or $3.75 per month ; probably board was included. In the winter oF 
1736, nine pounds were raised to pay Mr. Joshua Nichols for kcopino: a school 
in two places, for one month each, but the selectmen employed him only one 
month. In 1737 there was a school one month and ten days, kept by Lyndc 
and Nichols in succession. It is supposed that the school-house wa-s set np 
in 1738, at a cost of $47.84. They had three months' schooling that year, 
and some higher branches tlian reading and writing were in the curriculum. 
In 173P, Mi\ Samuel Coolidge taught six months, and received $1.32 per week 
in addition to his board. At that time the salary of the minister was $125. 
In 1741, the town voted to remove the school from place to place, as "shall be 
thought proper by the selectmen." But the school was not moved till next 
year, wlien it was voted to remove it " into the four quarters of the town," and 
in 1743, the vote was to have the school in six parts of the town. From this date 
to 1705, there was very little change in the amount of money raised, or the 
mode of its expenditure ; but in the latter year measures were taken in regard 
to dividing the town into districts. The money for building school-houses was 
so assessed as to throw the expense upon the districts while the town kept the 
control of the schools. The first female teacher was employed in 17(36, when 
seventy pounds, lawful money, was raised for schools. From this date to 
1777, the annual appropriation rose from seventy to ninety pounds, lawful 
money. In 1781, the amount of forty pounds in silver money, or about 
$133.33 was raised, and this was continued till 1791. The next three years 
the sum was sixty pounds, and the next three, 1795-97, it was eighty pounds 
in silver money. 

In the year 1798, Federal money .superseded the old mode of computation, 
and $300 were devoted to education. Between 1802 and 1812, the sum was 
$400 per annum. It then rose to $600, at which figure it remained till 1826. 
From that time to 1834 it was $800; for four years it was fixed at $1,000; 
and from 1839 to 1849 the sum was $1,200. Besides the sum thus expended 
for the support of schools, it was necessary, from time to time, to build school- 
houses. 

The sum raised in 1849 for schooling, was $1,500. In 1878, the appropria- 
tion was $5,000, exclusive of what was paid for superintendence and some 
other incidental expenses. The schools were kept eight months and twelve 
days, and the number of schools was fourteen. The sum paid for each scholar 
was $9.79.5 ; the town standing in the middle of the towns of the county, 
or number twenty-nine. In this year the sum of $344 was paid for repairing 
school-houses in addition. 

In this connection the Leicester Academy claims some notice, though already 
referred to at some length, in the county history, under the he.ad of acade- 
mies. The history of this institution is full of interest, as detailed in a large 



628 TOWN OF LEICESTER. 



pamphlet, by Judge Washburn, where it may be read. It is the oldest 
academy in the county that has a continuous history as an endowed academy, 
and it is the only one th;it ever iiad the whole county hioklug to it as a higher 
seminary tor the youth, who were desirous of a better education then the town 
schools could give. 

Col. Ebcnczer Crafts of Sturbridge, and Jacoli Davis of Charlton, have the 
honor of being recorded as the founders of this wcU-rcputed school. It seems 
that the first idea of the school, and the first steps towards establishing it are 
to be credited to the former. The house of Mr. Lopez, the wealthy Jew, 
being for s:iU>, it was purchased and turned into an academy. It was called an 
"elegant structure," and doubtless it was for the time and place, though Dr. 
Pierce of Brookline wrote of it in rather disparaging terms: — "It was an 
oblong, barrack-like looking building, erected by Jews who had migrated from 
Newport, and raised this rough-looking structure for mercantile uses." But 
rou"h or elegant, it became the centre of a broad and beneficent influence. 
The bill incorporating the academy was passed March 23, 1784. The first 
preceptor was Benjamin Stone, and the school was opened by him on the 7th 
of June, 1781. He had charge of the Latin and Greek department. In the 
fall, Thomas Payson took charge of the English department. The school 
began with two pupils from Sturbridge, and one from Leicester. Soon after, 
Eli Whitney of cotton-gin fame, joined the school, and in the course of the 
summer about twenty entered. In the autumn term there were between 
seventy and eighty. From this beginning the academy went forward, drawing 
in students from all parts of the county, and from places more remote. Prob- 
ably no school in the county has on its catalogues the names of so many use- 
ful and distinguished men as Leicester Academy. Its history cannot be 
pursued, but it may be said, in a word, that it is one of the celebrities of 
Worcester County, and deserves to be so richly endowed as to enable it to 
compete with the very best secondary schools of New England. 

The war history of Leicester gives abundant proof of the patriotism and 
bravery of its people. The town does not appear to have suflxn-ed much from 
hostile Indians, though garrisons were set up and soldiers detailed to guard 
them, .about the time of "LoveweU's War." There was really more danger 
from wolves and rattlesnakes in those early days than from the human denizens 
of the forest. But in the French and Indian wars and the Revolution, in the 
reigns of George II. and George III., the men of Leicester bore their part. 
Mr. Washburn states that a "considerable number of men" from the town 
were engaged in the expedition to Louisburg in 1745. In succeeding years, 
detachments of soldiers were stationed at difl'erent places, to guard against the 
inroads from the Indians and French. Others were in the " Canada Expedi- 
tion." In the second or last war with the same enemies, 1755-63, oflicers and 
soldiers went from Leicester, under Gen. Winslow, to the eastern frontiers in 
1754, and in 1755-5G, under Lord Amherst, to Crown Point, Fort Edward and 



MEN OF 76. C,2\) 



Fort William Ilcniy. In tlio your ITf)!), wIkmi Qiii'hec; \v:is takoii, Ix'twcon 
twenty aiul thirty raon were in the service. During the. tlireo following years, 
the town supplied its proportion of soldiers. 

In tlie Revolution there was a still greater deni:uid for men, and the supply 
was correspondingly larger. Between May, 1775, and June 28, 1780, there 
were twenty-seven drafts for soldiers, and Leicester furnished two hundred and 
forty-seven men. This does not include the minute-nicn under Capt. Seth 
Washburn, nor a standing company who marched, under Capt. Newhall, to 
Cambridge on the memorable 19th of April ; nor quite a number of others 
called out for a few months at different times. Many of the enlisted men of 
Leicester were in the battle of Bunker Hill. From that time till the close of 
the war, the town w.as represented in many lields of service, and on many 
battle-fields. At the same time, the people at home endured almost equal 
hardships in maintaining themselves, in raising money and provisions of food 
and clothing for their men in the Held, and in the fears and forebodings for the 
absent, which filled the hearts of mothers and wives. The spii'it of the men, 
and the women also, was expressed b}^ the remark of Capt. (afterwards Col.) 
Seth Washburn, as the volunteers were about to march from the Common 
in Leicester to Concord. Addressing his mother in a cheerful voice, he said : 
" Mother, you praij for me, and I will Ji[/Jit for you." That was a solemn 
moment. The company were ready to march ; a great gathering of their friends 
was present; Rev. Mr. Conklin was there, and when "he lifted up his voice in 
prayer for their protection and safe return, every head was uncovered, and 
every murmur hushed, and every heart gathered new strength to meet what- 
ever emergency awaited this little band." The alarm from Lexington reached 
Leicester after noon ; by four o'clock the company was mustered on the 
Common, and before dark it was on its way to the scene of danger. Such was 
the spirit at the beginning, and such it continued till the close of the war. 
Some of the principal men in the town in the Revolution were these: Col. 
William Hcnshaw, who was in the fight at Flatbush, and in the battles of 
Trenton, Princeton and White Plains ; his brother David was a captain 
of artillery, and attached to Col. Crafts' regiment; Dr. John Honeywood was 
surgeon in Col. Brown's regiment ; Dr. Isaac Green was a surgeon at the taking 
of Burgoyne. William Ilenshaw, Thomas Denny, Rev. Mr. Conklin, Joseph 
Henshaw, Samuel Denny, Ilezekiah Ward and Thomas Newhall were on the 
first "committee of correspondence." Seth Washburn rose in rank during the 
war, and acquired honorable distinction. Lieut. Joseph Washburn was at the 
battle of Saratoga, and afterwards under Washington in New Jersey. Joshua 
Henshaw, and Capt. John Southgate, an officer in the same regiment, were 
leading spirits in the Revolution. Col. Thomas Denny, mentioned above, was a 
man of great ability. The resolutions and papers probably written l)y him and 
Col. William Henshaw would do credit to the leading statesmen of the time. 
Col. Thomas Denny, his son, was much in public life. Col. Samuel Denny, 



(J30 TOWN OF LEICESTER. 

his l)rother, was in the army in 1777. He was in the General Court, and in 
the convention which ratified tiie Constitution of the United States. Solomon 
Parsons, graudson of Rev. David Parsons, was in the battle of Monmouth, and 
left a most grapliic account of that engagement. Peter Salem, a colored man, 
is supposed to have been the man who sliot Maj. Pitcairn at Buuker Hill. 

Shays' Rebellion had a few ardent sympathizers in Leicester, but the chief 
men of the town were on the side of the government, and were efficient in the 
overthrow of the insurgents. They were, indeed, exposed to the violence of 
the rebels, but none of them lost their lives in consequence. 

In the war of the Rebellion "the spirit of seventy-six" l)Iazed out anew in 
Leicester, and the town responded to all the calls of the g:)vcrument. At a 
public meeting May 4, 1861, resolutions introduced by Joseph A. Denny, Esq., 
breathing the most ardent patriotism, love of liberty and trust in God, were 
passed. In lesal town meetings, a[)propriations were made on the most liberal 
scale to pay bounties to soldiers, aid indigent widows and families of volunteers 
who fell in the service, and furnish stores of every kind needed. Much also 
was done privately to show sympathy with those who "bore the brunt of the 
battle." The ladies were active and zealous in their kind ministries. One 
venerable lady, Mrs. Dr. Nelson, upwards of eighty years of age, knit over 
Diic hundred pairs of woolen socks for the soldiers with her own hands. The 
town furnished three hundred and twenty men for the war, which was a surplus 
of sixteen. Six were commissioned officers. The amount of money contributed 
for military purposes was $30,275.80. The amount paid for State aid was 
$12,383.42, making a total of $42,(159.28. Leicester furnished men on all the 
calls for troops made by the President, commencing with the first call for three 
months' men. To those men the town paid the compensation often dollars per 
month each, in addition to the sum paid by the government. A large propor- 
tion of ail the enlistments were for thi-ce j'cars. No single or full company was 
at any time made up of Leicester men, but in the call for men to serve for the 
term of nine monfhs, the town raised its quota of forty men, with whom were 
subsequently enrolled the quotas of Spencer and North Brookfield, completing 
the com[)any which was assigned to the 42d regiment of Massachusetts volun- 
teers, and designated as company F. Of this company John D. Cogswell of 
Leicester was captain, T. M. Duncan of North Brookfield was first lieutenant, 
and L. A. Powers of Spencer was second lieutenant. This company was in 
the "Banks Expedition," so called. Department of the Gulf, and was detailed 
for provost and picket duty in New Orleans, and on the shore of Lake Pont- 
chartrain. The following is a summary of the enlistments from Leicester: 
For throe months, there were seventeen men ; for one hundred days, nine men ; 
for nine months, forty-three men ; for twelve months, three men ; for three 
years, two hundred and forty-eight men; total, three hundred and twenty 
men. 

Leicester has a Memorial Hall, constructed at a cost of about four thousand 



MANUFACTURES. (;;il 



dollars, which was dedicated Dec. 23, 1872, wherein are placed marble tablets, 
bearing the uatnes of thirty-seven of her soldiers who lost their lives in the 
war of the Rebellion, with a record of their position in Ibo regular or volunteer 
forces of the United States, and of the places where they met their death, or 
their death-wound. Here a service is held on the thirtieth day of May, annu- 
ally, in memory and honor of these dead, and of all who fell with them in this 
war. The national and State coats-of-arms are painted upon the ceiling of Xbv 
hall, and around the walls are the names of the principal battle-fields of the war. 
Here, also, the town has placed its library, now containing over four thousand 
five hundred volumes ; and here are gathered sucli records, portraits and other 
memorials as may help to illustrate the nation's great struggle with the seceding 
States. 

The business of Leicester was principal!}' agriculture during the first hun- 
dred years from the date of its settlement; and it is a gratifying fact that 
farming has not been neglected as other occu[)ations have been introduced. 
The number of acres in tlie town is over 9,000, all of which is said to be 
improvable except 182 acres. The value of the products of the land was, in 
1875, $107,502. The valuation of all farmiug property, including buildings, 
was $514,736. 

The town, as we have seen, was soon supplied with necessary mechanics, bnl 
manufacturing was not done on a large scale till some years into the present 
century. Samuel Watson had a clothier's shop in Cherry Valley, on Kettle 
Brook, before 1814. Ho enlarged his mill antl began to make woolen cloth. 
Tbeu he sold out to James Anderton of England, who sold his interest to 
Thomas Bottomly in 1825. The latter also erected the works upon the same 
stream, just l)elow the works of Mr. Watson. Then the Bottomly Manufac- 
turing Company bought the property, and the business was superintended by 
Mr. Bottomly. In 1837, a grist-mill site was bought by him, and an establish- 
ment set up, which afterwards was carried on Ijy the Manhattan Company. In 
1850, in company with his son Booth, he iiurchased a privilege below the great 
road from Worcester to Leicester, and erected thereon a brick factory. At 
Mannville, farther up the stream than any of these works, a woolen-mill was 
carried on mauy years by Messrs. Mann & Marshall, which gave an air 
of life to the neighborhood. Li 1821, Mr. Anderton began the woolen busi- 
ness in Rochdale, and the estai)lishment became large under the name of the 
Leicester Manufacturing Company. Hand-cards were made in the town as 
early as 1785 by Edmund Snow. Mr. Pliny Earle, an ingenious man, contrived 
a machine for pricking twilled cards, to meet the wants of Samuel Slater. 
Earle associated his brothers with him in the business. Col. Thomas Denny 
was in the same business, and continued in it till 1814, having acquired wealth 
therelty. It is impossible to crowd ail the names of the enterprising men who 
built up the business of Leicester into this page. A few statistics must suffice. 
la 18G0, the largest baud-card establishment in the town was in the centre, and 



632 TOWN OF LEICESTER. 

ciiriietl on by Joseph B. & E-lwartl S.irgoiit, who then could manufacture 
more than 2,000 dozen pairs of cards each week. In 1837, the v/ooleu-mills 
produced dotlis valued at $319,450, and the cards made annually were valued 
at $ir)2,000, and the aggregate of manufactures in the town was $452,065. 
By the census of 1875, the products of manufacturers were valued at $1,569,- 
454. Some of the men al)ove mentioned were ingenious inventors, and thus 
added greatly to the productive power of the town. 

Like all of the better class of towns, Leicester has a good library. The 
academy has had an influence in fostering a love of literature, and a library 
has, in a measure, supplied the demand for good books. A proprietors' library 
lias existed in the town since 1793. This was ofl'crcd to the town, and on the 
4th of March, 1861, it was accepted. It then contained about 1,000 volumes. 
Since then, the town has made annual appropriations of a moderate sum, and 
individuals have made many generous gifts. There are now about 4,500 
volumes in the collection, which is held for the benefit of all the inhabitants, 
and is freely used. 

The Leicester Bank was chartered in 182(3, and has been a prosperous insti- 
tution. It began with a capital of $100,000, whicii was afterwards raised to 
$200,000. The presidents have been : John Clapp, N. P. Denny, Joseph A. 
Denny, Cheney Hatch. The cashiers have been : John A. Smith, H. G. Heu- 
shaw. The present officers are : Charles A. Denny, president ; and D. E. 
Merriam, cashier. The latter has held the position for many years. There is, 
in connection with it, a savings bank. Both have been well managed. 

The women of a Now England town are not only its ornaments, l)ut the}' 
have always contributed much to its strength and character. It would seem 
that Leicester has been highly favored in this regard. This appears from the 
pages of its history, but especially in the interesting sketches of the town 
which were printed in the " Worcester Spy " a few years since. These were 
from the pen of Joseph A. Denny, Esq., and are, in part, the results of per- 
sonal knowledge. Nothing could furnish a more fitting close to this epitome 
than a brief reference to some of these "mothers in Israel." The mother of 
Col. Washburn has been mentioned, and others of the "olden time" have been 
alluded to in preceding pages. Tiic venerable widow of the late Dr. Nelson is 
held in deserved esteem ; but, going back to former times, we meet with the 
name of Mary, wife of Nathan Sargent, who was the ancestress of many that 
have honored her memory. She was a woman of uncommon intelligence 
and great influence. A granddaughter of hers was the sister of the Hon. 
Nathan Sargent of Washington. She was described in these lines, written a 
lew years since : — 

"Graiulmothor sits by the evening fire, 
Anil liuits in her i.'!isy-chair ; 
Altlionftt' she is more than fourscore years, 
She still is brisk and fair." 



WORTHY MATRONS. 633 



In 1872, the following words weio written of Mrs. Clarissa Sargent Gale. 
Siie is "perhaps the oldest, or at least the smartest, of any at her age in the 
county. She was born of Puritan and Revolutionary ancestry, Juno 11, 1788, 
yet she still writes an excellent band, cuts and makes ber own clothes very 
nicely. She is a genial companion, intelligent friend and true woman, whom 
all love and esteem. In early days, she stored her mind with useful knowledge, 
that crowns ber with a halo in ber old age, and, in ber lingering grace of other 
days, she is a noble monument of the past." Capt. Daniel Denny, who came 
from England in 1715, married Rebekah Jones, a "woman of uncommon intel- 
lect and great energy." Her son Samuel married Elizabeth Henshaw, who 
"was a woman of superior accomplishments, of ardent piety, and great moral 
worth." Not only was she an affectionate wife and mother, but she was a true 
"help meet" for a great occasion, taking charge of ber husband's large farm, 
and a family of ten children, the youngest of whom was an infant, while he 
was camping out in the cold regions of the North — in the Revolution — in 
defence of bis country. These are but examples out of a large number who 
have made the homes of Leicester shriues of aflection and sanctuaries of pious 
devotion. 



INDEX. 



WORCESTER COUNTY. 



Academics, 116. 
Adams, Charles F., 130. 

« Joseph, 37. 
Adventists, 158. 
Agricultural Society, The Worcester, officers 

of, 143. 
Allen, Charles, 38, 83. 
Anabaptists, 37. 
American Antiquarian Society, officers and 

corporators of, 134. 
Anderston, Mr., 171. 
Aplin, John, 03. 
Argillaceous Slate, 6, t. 
Arians, 151. 

Armed Slen in Worcester, 101 
Ashburnham, 25. 
Assimilation of faces, 185. 
Associations of Churches, 146. 
Atherton, Dr. Israel, 109. 
Athol, 25. 
Auburn, 25. 

B. 

Bailey, Silas, 122, 
Baker, Moses, 66. 

'• Samuel, 32. 
Baldwin, Loammi, 82. 
Bangs, Edward, 58. 
Baptist Conferences, 147. 
Baptists, 1G4. 
Baptist Woman, 36. 
Barre, Town of, 3, 25. 
Barstow, John, 85. 
Barton, Edmund M., 136. 
Bass, Edward, 119. 
Batchellcr, Tyler, 181. 
Bayquaige, 3. 

Belcher, Gov. Jonathan, 18, 35. 
Berlin, Town of, 25. 
Bible, The, 107 ; Society, 149-50. 
Bigi'low, Erastus B., 180, 199. 
Blackstoue, 26 ; Canal, 81-2; Kiver, 1-2 : Val- 
ley, 4. 
Blanchard, Mrs. Margaret, 132. 
Blanchard, Thomas, 198. 



Bliss, George, 83. 
Bolton, 23. 

Bottomly, Thomas, 179. 
Boylston, 26. 
Boynton, John, 126-7. 
Brace, Charles L., 121. 
Bridges, 79, 80 ; arched, iron and stone, 83. 
Broadcloths, 79. ^ 

Bromfield, Heurj', 132. 
School, 132. 
Brooklield, destroyed, 12, 13 ; Murders, in 17,22. 
Brooks, William, 57 ; executed, 59-60. 
Brown, John, 81-2. 

William O., 79. 
Buchanan, Jame.s, 57 ; executed, 59-60. 
Bullock, Alexander 11., 1.32. 
Buuyau, John, 165. 
Burroughs, Stephen, 69-70. 
Business, statistics of, 174, 183. 
Business Towns, 184. 



Caldwell, John, 66. 

" Seth, 66. 

William, 44. 
Canal, The Blackstone, 81-3. 
Capron, John, 179. 
Carpet Business, 180. 
Carriages, 88. 
Carrington, Edward, 82. 
Carter, Dr. Calvin, 72. 
" James G., 119. 
Cases in Court, 51. 
Catholic Churches, 148-9, 162. 

" Population, 158. 
Census of towns, 26-7. 
Chabanakongkamou, 10. 
Chamberlain, D. C, 121. 
Changes in Doctrine, 159-171. 

" Polity, 159-169. 

" Population, 184. 

Chandler, Gardner, 97. 

John, 29, 30, 42, 47. 

« John, Jr., 29, 31, 33-4, 42-3, 53. 

" John, 3d, 43. 



()36 



INDEX. 



Cbauning, William E., 119. 
Cbapin.ChosterW., 84. 
'• lUuiy, 128, 151. 
CLarUon, 24. 
Cheap Philosophers, 109. 
Chicopco River, 1, 3. 
Children, all educated, 106. 
Choral Uuiou, 143. 
Chiistiau Disciples, 158. 

" Indians, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 40. 
" Religion, its effects, 185. 
Churches, number of, 149, 159. 
Chur<-h Members in the County, 157 ; how 

many, 152-3. 
Circuit Court of Common Pleas, 38. 
Clergy, Congregational, 117. 
Clerks of Courts, 42. 
Clinton, 26. 
Coal, 6. 

Coalition Party, 93. 
Colburn, Dana P., 121. 
Conferences and Denominations, 145. 
Congregational Churches in the County, 156. 

" Conferences, 146. 

Congregationalists, 151. 
Constable, Indian, 11. 
College of the Holy Cross, 125. 
Cooley, Ephraim, 59. 
Corporeal punishment, 109. 
Cotton business, 180. 
County Buildings, 43; 

" Commissioners, 37.8. 
" Officers, 42. 
" Roads, 73. 
Counties, large or small, 90. 
Court, Central District, 41 ; judges and clerks 

of, 41-2. 
Court Houses, 34, 43-5. 
" of Common Pleas, 29, .30, 37, 100-1. 
" of other Districts, 41. 
" of Probate and Insolvency, 29, 40. 
" of Sessions of the Peace, 29, 32, 37, 46, 

100-1. 
" Superior, 39. 
" Supremo Judicial, 39, 40. 
Crafts, Ebenczer, 18. 
Criers of the Courts, 43. 
Crimes, 172, 174. 
Crocker, Alvah, 86. 
Crosby, Rev. Josiah D., 136. 
Curtiss, Caleb, 48. 
Cushiug Academy, 130. 
" Edward, 37. 
" John, 40. 
" Judge William, 58, 68. 
" Thomas P., 130. 
Cutler, Dr. Calvin, 121. 



D. 
Dana, Town of, 26. 

" Isaac, 122. 

" Jacob, 118. 
Davis, John, 82-3, 85-6. 

" Jonathan, 37. 

" Stephen, 44. 
Davenport, Addingtou, 40. 

David, 44. 
Debt, State, 99; Continental, 99. 
Democrats, 93. 
Deer-killing, 30. 
Devens, Geu. Charles, 40. 
Do Witt, Alexander, 86. 
Dorr, Joseph, 32-3. 
Dow, Joseph, 60. 
Drury, Luke, 48. 
Duusmoor, John, 48. 
Dwight, Joseph, 29, 31. 
" President, 90. 

E. 
Editors and Publishers, 185-192. 
Education and schools, 105 ; improvemeut in, 

100. 
Edwards, Jonathan, 165. 
Eliot, Rev. John, 10-12, 14, 16. 
Emcrsou, George B., 119. 
EuQeld, 21. 

Episcopal Churches, 148, 163. 
Everett, Edward, 16. 
Expunging a Record, 97. 
Execution of Brooks, Buchanan, Ross and 

Mrs. Spooner, 64. 

F. 

Farming, 174-5; improved, 178. 

Fisheries, 176. 

Fishing Towns, 176. 

Female Teachers, 116. 

Fiskc, Oliver, 37. 

Fitchburg, 25. 

Fitch, Major, 17. 

Flagg, Benjamin, 31. 

Foreigu-liorn, 184. 

Foster, Dwight, 32, 40. 

" Jedediah, 32, 40,58. 

" John, 165.. 

" Miss Florence, 130. 
Freedom of the Will, 171. 
Free lustiruto of Industrial Science, 126. 
Free-Soil Party, 9.3. 
French and Indians, 16, 18. 
French Hugucuots, 17. 
Friends, 158. 
Fulliug-Mills, 177. 
Fuller, Andrew, 105. 



INDEX. 



637 



G. 
Ga.ils uv Jails, -If)-!;. 
Ganlmr, Jriouio, 4'l. 

" town of, 25, 87. 

Gauutlot, ninniiig tlm 98. 
Goography, 107. 
Gcologkal Notes, 5. 
Guoi-go Hill, 9. 
Georgo HI., 49. 
Gill, Mosos, 32, 6G, 91, 118. 
Goddaril, 13oDJamia, 182. 

" Micbacl, 32. 
Goildiiig, Dr. William W., 121. 
Gooldii, Daiiiol, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, IG. 

Daniel, Jr., 40. 
Goss, Rev. Thomas, 1G7. 
Goulding, Jacob, 48. 
Governors, royal, 97. 
Grafton, 21-3. 
Grammar, 107. 
Grants, 6, 17. 
Greenli-af, Gen., C5, 102. 
Greeu, Prof. S. S., 121. 

" Ecv. Harris E., 124. 

H. 
Hale, Nathan, 85. 
Hall, Eoljert, 165. 
Hammond, Rev. Charles, 117. 

Timothy W., 86. 
Hardwiok, 23. 

Harrington, Rev. Timothy, 1C9. 
Hartwell, Edward, 31, 53! 
Harvard, Town of, 23. 
Harvard College, 117. 
Hassanamisco, 10, 14, 21. 
Hastings, Scott, 37. 
Haven, Samuel F., 13G. 
Hazeltine, John, 35. 
Heard, Nathan, 83. 
Hemeuway, Rev. Moses, 119. 
Henchman, Capt., 14, 15. 
Heywood, Benjamin, 32, 36. 

" Daniel, 45. 

Higher Schools, 116. 
Highland Military Academy, 125 ; teachers iu, 

128. 
Hoar, George F, 151. 
Holbrook, Sylvanus, 82. 
Holden, 24. 

Hopkins vs. Ward, 51, 52, 54. 
Horowauinit, or John, sachem, 10. 
HorticuUnral Society, The Worcester, 144 ; 

ofBcers of, 145. 
Houghton, Ralph, 74. 
Howe, Elias, 200. 
Hubbard, John, 40. 



Ilnl.bard, Prof. E. A., 117. 
ITnbbanlslon, 25. 
lliit(hin.son, Capt. Edwiird, 13. 
" Gov. Thomas, 18. 

I. 

Illiteracy, III. 
Indian Churches, 10. 
Indian Fight, The, 18. 
Indian Lauds, i)urchase of, 9. 
Indians, 7. 

Indian Wars in (ho County, 12. 
Industries of the Farm, 175. 
Intemperance, 172-3. 
Intervale, 4. 

Inventors, Fonr great, 197. 
Iron, 6 ; iron spring, 9. 
Irving, Edward, 40. 

J. 
Jailers, List of, 4G. 
Jefts, Miss Mary P., 131. 
Jeunisou, Nathaniel, 66, 63. 

William, 29, 30-1, 34, 43, 45, 77. 
Jethroof Nutick, 10, 11. 
Jillson, Clark, 137. 
Jones, Henry R., 82. ^ 

" Mis.i Rebecca, 130. 
Joslin, Peter, 17. 
Juries, patriotic, 96. 
Justice, .idministratiou of, 27. 
Justices of the Peace, 23, 29. 

K. 
Kimball, Deujamiu, 37. 
Kiug, Dr., 57, 59. 

" Thomas, 9, 73. 
KinnicvTtt, Thomas, 80. 
Kuow-Nothiug Party, 93, 
Knox, Gen. Henry, 82. 
ICriisi, Herman, 121. 

L. 

Lamb, Col. Joshua, 22-3. 
Lambstowu, 23. 

Lancaster, 1, 3, 6, 10, 13 ; Raids on, 17, 18, 21, 
27, 75 ; destruction of, 14-17. 
" Academy, 119. 
Leather Business, 131. 
Lee, Henry, 29, 33. 
Leicester, 22. 

" Academy, 113. 
Leominster, 3, 24. 
Leslie, Rev. George, 62. 
Limestone Quarry, 7. 
Lincoln, Abraham, 37. 

" Daniel W., 84. 



638 



INDEX. 



Liiirolii, Eilward W., 145. 

'• Gen., 102. 

" Jolin \V., 37, 78, 82. 

" Levi, GO, CC-7, 69, 83, 85. 

" Levi, Gov., 40. 
Long Lake, 5. 
Lord Loudoun, .12. 
Lowe, Dr. Alir.ih.im, 132. 
Lunenl)urg, 23. 

Lyceum and Natural History Association, 1.37 
140 ; officers of, 140. 

M. 
Macarty, Kov. Thaddens, 62-3. 
Manclioag, in Oxford, 10. 
Manner.s, 108. 

Marriage Kelation, The, 172. 
Mason, Lowell, 121. 
Matooraus, Constable, 10. 
Mather, Cotton, 134. 

" Increase, 134. 
Matthew, or Sagamore Sam, 14. 
Mechanics, 175. 
Mellen, Edward, 38. 
McUcn, Rev. John, 1G7. 
Mendou, 21, 7G. 
Merrick, Pliny, 37. 

" " Jr., 33, 40, 72, 8G. 

Metcalf, C. B., 125. 
Methodist Districts, 147. 
Methodists, 1G4. 
Mica-slate, 6, 7. 

Midwivcs, and Mrs. Spoouer, 62. 
Miles, Solomon P., 119. 
Military History of the County, 193-6. 
Militia, 193-4. 
Milford, 2.' ; Academy, 120. 
Millbury, 2G ; Academy, 120. 
Miller's River, 1, 3. 
Milton, .John, 109, 1G5. 
Ministers and Education, 117. 
Moen, Philip L., 183. 
Moliegans, 8. 

Morse, Rev. Jcdediah, 107. 
Murray, Lindley, 107. 
Musical Association, 140-2. 

N. 
Narragansetts, 8. 

Nashaways, or Nashawogs, The, 9, 11. 
Nashna River, 1 ; Valley of, 2, 4, 5, 9. 
Natives, NumVior of, 8. 
Now Braintrec, 24. 
New England Normal Institnte, 121. 
Newspa|)crs, 185-192. 
Nichols Academy, 122. 
Nipnet Country, 8, 10, 13. 



Nipncts or Nipmucs, 7, 8, 10, 13, 15, 16. 
Normal School at Worcester, 128. 
Northboroiigh, 25. 
Northbridge, 25. • 
North Brookfield, 26. 
Nye, Bonum, 78. 

O. 
Oakham, Town of, 25. 
Oliver, Peter, 97. 
Oread Institute, 124. 
Otto Sutor, Ciso of, 70, 71-2. 
Oxford, Raid upon, 17, 22. 



Packachoag, in Worcester, 10, 14. 
Paine, Elisha, 36. 

" Robert Treat, 49. 59, 60. 

" Timothy, 97. 
Palmer, Joseph, 119. 
Paper Stock, 107. 
Parsing, 107. 

Parsons, Rev. David, 34-5. 
Paxton, Town of, 24-5. 
Peiirson, Eliph.ilet, 132. 
Pegan Tribe, 16. 
Pennimau, Henry H., 86. 
Pcquods, 18. 
Petersham, 3, 24. 
Philip, King, 9, 12, 14-16. 
Phillips, Iveis, 86-7. 
Phillipston, 26. 
Pierce, Edwin, 131. 
Piombow, 10. 
Pitt, tho Elder, 176. 
Policy, Ebenezer, 3.5. 
. Potash Works, 17G. 
Pratt, Benjamin, 53. 
Prentice, Rev. John, 29. 

" Thomas, 30. 
Prescott, John, 9, 73. 

" Jonathan, 175. 
Press, Tlie, of Worcester County, 185-192. 
Princeton, 24. 
Prince, Rev. Dr., 91. 
Prison for Women, 51. 
Prisoners for Debt, 47. 
Probate, Judges of, 40, 41. 

" Registers of, 41. 
Psalter, The, or Psalms, 107. 
Purgatory, 3. 
Putnam, James, 97. 

Q. 

Qnabo.ng, 10. 
Quartz Rock, 6. 
Qnasi-Slavery, X\ 
Quincy. Josiali, Jr., 183. 



INDEX. 



639 



Qiiiiisigamond Lake, 4, 6. 
Qiiork Walker, CC, G8. 

R. 

Railroad, Boston and Albany, 84. 
" Boston and Worci-stor, 84. 
" Boston, Barro and Gardner, 86. 
" Fitcbl)urg, 85. 
II " and Worcester, 86. 

" Norwich and Worcester, 85. 
" Providence and Worcester, 85. 
" Western, 84. 
" Worcester and Nashua, 86. 
Railroads, Short Lines, 88-9. 
Railways in the County, 83. 
Rchelliou, The, 96. 
Registers of Deeds, 43. 
Religions History of the County, 151. 
Religion, State of, 1.54-5. 
Rejuiblican Party, 93-4. 
Result of Philip's War, 17. 
Revolution, The, 96. 
Rice, George T., 86. 
" Jonas, 31, 40. 
Roads, County, &c., 73-9. 
Robinson, Jeremiah, 37. 
Rockwell, Julius, 83. 
Rolfe, Ezra, 57, 59-60. 
Roper, John, 74. 
Ross, Ezra, .57, 59-60. 
" Jabez, 60-61. 
" Joanna, 60. 
RoTvlandson, Joseph, 22. 
" Mrs., 16. 

" Rev. Joseph, 15. 

Royalston, 25. 

Ruggles, Timothy, 31-2, 53-6. 
Russell, Miss Anna V., 121. 
" Prof. E. H., 130. 
" Prof. William, 121. 
" Rev. Frank, 121. 
Rutland, 18, 22. 



Salisbury, Stephen, 37, 86, 135. 
Sargent, Dickery, killed, 18. 

" Mrs., killed, 18. 

" Nathaniel P., 58, 66, 68. 
Satinets, 179. 

Scenery, different, 2 ; beautiful, 4. 
School Books, 111. 
School-Houses, Improved, 108, 110. 
Schools aifect character, 115. 

" Cost of, 115. 

" Select for Girls, 117. 
Senatorial Districts, 95. 



Senators, 89, 90 ; Names of, 90-96. 
Seventh-Day Advcntists, 159. 
Sowall, David, 58, 66, 68. 

" Jonathan, 67. 
Shaw, Lemuel, 44. 
Shays, Daniel, 99, 102. 
Shays' Uebelliou, 99, 100-5. 
Sherift's, 42. 

Shorter Catechism, 107. 
Shoshamin, or Sholan, 9, 11, 14, 73. 
Shrewsbury, 23. 
Sill, Capt. Joseph, 14, 15. 
Simmons, Senator, 85. 
Slate Quarry, 6. 
Slater, Samuel, 180. 
Slavery, Illegal, 67. 
Sleeper, Rev. William T., 151. 
Smalley, John, 74. 
Smith, Edward, 35. 

" Stephen H., 82. 
Soapstone, 7, 22. 
Society of Antiquity, 136-7. 
Socini.ans, 151. 
Southborough, 23. 
Southbridge, 26. 
Sparks, Jared, 119. 
Spencer, 24. 
Spere, James, 10. 
Spinuing and Weaving, 26. 
Spooner, Batlishoba, 54, 56, 59, 60, 62. 
" Joshua, killed, !')6-9. 
Case, The, 54. 
Sprague, A. B. R., 47. 
" John, 32, 66. 
Spurr John, 37. 
Spy, The, 185. 
State of Morals, 171-4. 
Stearns, Mr., 66. 
Steel, Thomas, 31-2, 53. 
Sterling, 18,25. 

Stevens, Dea. J., sons killed, 18. 
Stm River, 5. 
Stone, A. P., 120. 
Stoughton, Lieut.-Gov., 17. 
Strong, Caleb, 66. 

" Solomon, 38. 
Sturbridge, 21, 23. 
Suffleld, 21. 

Sullivan, James, 59, 66. 
Sumner, Increase, 68. 
Surface of Country, 1. 
Sutton, Scenery of, 3, 22. 
Swans' Swamp, The, 5. 
Swansey Attacked, 12. 
Sweetser, Rev. Dr. Seth, 127. 
.Symmes, Caleb T., 70-1. 

Mrs. K. R.. 70-1, 121. 



G40 



INDEX. 



Tacknppowillan, 10. 

Taft, D.iiiicl, ■>0. 33, 76. 
" Heuij- C, 79. 
" Voloroiis, 79. 

Teachers, 108, 111. 

Teinpleton, 24. 

Teniicy, .Sanborn, 121. 

Terrific Tluindcrstorm, 65. 

Thayer, Eli, 124, 126. 

" Eev. Nathaniel, 152. 

Thomas, C. F., 40, 72. 

Isaiah, 44, 40, 134, 185. 

Thompson, IVof. C. O., 127 

Thnrber, Charles, 44. 

Thurston, Jolm G., 72. 

Topography of Worcester County, 1. 

Torrey, Ebenczer, 131. 

Tory Spirit, 97-8. 

Towno, Salem, 44. 

Towns, Origin of, 21 ; Valuation of, 34 ; Pre- 
sentments of, 35. 

Traitors, 48. 

Trask, Joseph, or Puogastion, 22. 

Treasurers, County, 43. 

Trowbridge, Edmund, 53. 

Trumbull's Schoolmaster, 109. 

Tufts, Aaron, 37. 

Turner, Charles S., 86. 

Twichcll, Giuerj', 87. 

U. 
Unitarian Conferences, 148. 
Unitarians, 151, 158, 161. 
Univorsalist Churches, 148. 
Univcrsalists, 153. 
Upham, Phiuehas, 13. 
Upton, 23. 
Uxbridge, 22. 

V. 
Vehicles, 87. 

Veto Power of the Clergy, 160. 
Vose, James E., 131. 

W. 
Wachnsett, Height of, 1, 2, 8. 
Waentng, in XJxbriilgc, 10. 
Wall, Caleb A., 39, 4(j, 189. 
Walton, George A., 117. 
Wanipanoags, 8. 
Wampus, John, sachem, 22. 
Ward, now Auburn, 25. 

" Artemas, 31-2, 104. 

" Henry, 53. 

" Nahum, 29, 31, 33. 

" Samuel, 51-2, 54 

" William, 29-31. 



Ware River, 1, 3. 

Warren, 24. 

Warren, Dr. Joseph. 119. 

Washacum, 9. 

Washburn, Emory, 38-9, 73, (-5, 117, 128. 

" Ichabod, 126, 179, 182. 

Watatic, Height of, 1. 
Waters, Andrus, 182. 

" Asa, 182. 

" Col. Asa, 182. 

" Lawrence, 175. 

" Eichard, 182. 
Water Sy.stem of the County, 1. 
Watson, Charles, ISl.. 
WattaBacopauum, a Ruler, 10, 14. 
Waylaud, Rev. Dr., 85, 131. 
Webster, 26. 
Wcshakira, 8-10, 14. 
Wcstborough, 22. 
West Boylston, 26. 
West Brookfleld, 13, 20. 
Westminster, 21, 24; Academy, 119. 
Wheeler. Capt. Thomas, 13. 

" George, 74. 
AVliipping-Post, 33-4. 
Whilfomb, David, 127. 

" The Widow, 17. 

White, Capt. John, 24. \ 

" Moses, 37. 
Whiting, John, 37. 

" Rev. John, killed, 17. 
" Timothy, 37. 
Whitney, Eli, It'O, 197. 
Ohio, 131. 
Rev. Pctrr. IG, 18. 
Wild Animals, 3. 
\ Wilder, David, 97. 

Dr. C.W., 83. 

" Joseph, 28-31, 119. 

" Joseiih, Jr., 31-2. 

" Sampsou, V. S., 49, 50. 
Wilkinson, Ezra, 72. 
Willard, Abel, 119. 

" Benjamin, 29. 

" Heuiy, 22. 

" Joseph, 119. 

" Josiah, 29, 3?. 

" Rev. Joseph, .slain, 18. 

" Samuel, 31. 

" Simon, The Major, 13. 
Williams, Roger, 1G4. 
Wilson, Samuel, 179. 
Winchendon, 25, 87 ; Academy, 120. 
Winchester, George C, 131. 
Wiuthrop, lion. John, 1. 
Woods, Asaph, 79. 

" Matthew F., 70. 



INDEX. 



641 



Woodstock, 21 ; idad to, 77. 

Woolen Business, 179. 

Worcester, li, Is!, 22; Academy, 122; Shire 

Town, 27. 
Worcester County, incorporated, 18; growth 

of, 19 ; original towns, 19. 



Worcester County, Political Unity of, 89. 

" " versus EebuUion, 194-5. 

Wright, .■^aniiu-l, 20, :i3. 



Yale College, 117. 
Young, llcury, 13. 



TOWN OF ASHBURNIIAM. 



Banks, 207. 

Barrett, Col. G. H., 211-12. 

" Col., Sr., 212. 
Bobbins, 207. 
Boundaries, 201. 
BontcUe, Kev. Thomas, 209. 
Brooks and Springs, 202. 
Bullock, Hon. A. II., 210. 
Burying-Ground, 204. 
Business, 206. 

Chair Patterns, 207. 
Chairs, 207-8. 
Chaise, First, 206. 
Church organized, 208. 
Climate, 202. 
Clothiers, 207. 
Coolidge, Elisha, 208. 
Corner Tree, 201. 
Cotton Factory, 207. 
Crosby, Rev.'Josiah D., 205, 209-12. 
Cushlug Academy, 210 ; endowed, 211. 
Gushing, Kev. Dr. John, 206, 209. 
" Thomas P., 210. 

Davis, Kev. Elnathan, 209. 
Division of Lots, 204. 
Dorchester Canada, 203. 
Dow, Lorenzo, 210. 

Families, 208. 
Farming, 206. 
Farm Property, 208. 
Fellows, Dea. Samuel, 205, 209. 
Fisher, Eev. George E., 209. 
Fiske, Eev. F. A., 209. 
Fitts, Samuel, 212. 
Fortified Houses, 204. 
Foster, Jeremiah, 205. 

" Jerome, 212. 

" Moses, 208. 
Frobisher, Moses, 207. 
FuUing-MiUs, 207. 

German Settlers, 203-4, 208. 
Goodyear, Rev. George, 209. 
Grant, Sale of, 203. 



Harding, Rev. Elisha, 208. 

Healthy Town, 203. 

Hills, 201. 

History, Manuscript, 212. 

House of Entertainment, 204. 

Ichabod, 209. 
Incorporation, 204. 
Indians, 204. 
Industry, Statistics of, 208. 

Jennison, Rev. Edwin, 209. 

Junction Railroad, 207. 

Kibling, Mrs., 205. 

Latitude, 201. 

Light Infantry, 211. 

Little, Rev. E. G., 209. 

Log-House, 205. 

Lowe, Dr. Abraham, 205, 209-12. 

Mahan, Pres., 209. 

Matches, 207. 

Meeting-Honse, 204, 208 ; now, 209. 

Menof Ability, 211. 

Methodist Church, 210. 

Military Spirit, 211. 

Mills, 204, 206. 

Morocco, 208. 

Naukeag Ponds, 202. 
Norcross, Hon. Amasa, 210. 
North Ashburnham, 209. 

Parker, Eev. Leonard S., 209. 
Perfectionism, 209. 
Perkins, Rev. George, 209. 
Potash Works, 207. 

Railroads, 206. 

Rand, Eev. Asa, 212. 

Religion, 208. 

Rice, Lieut. Col. Joseph, 212. 

River Sources, 202. 

Roads, 205-6. 



642 



INDEX. 



Salary of Miiiister, 208-9. 
Schools, 210. 
Settlement, 203. 
Sleighs, 205. 
Smith, Joshua, 206. 
South Ashbumham, 207. 
Spools, 207. 
Stage-Coaeh, 20.^>. 
Stevens, George K., 211. 

" Eev. Moody A., 209. 
Surface, Variety of, 201. 

Timber, 207. 

Torrey, Ebenezer, 211. 

Townsend, Eeubcu, 212. 

Union Church, 209. 



Vehicles, First, 205. 

Walker, Capt. Addison, 212. 
Watatic, 201. 
^^atcr-shed, 202. 
Wayland, Rev. Dr. Fmncis, 210. 
West, Mrs. Julia Honstou, 212. 
Whitcome, AVilliam, 205. 
Whitney, Hon. Ohio, 211-12. 

" Milton, 212. 
Wight, Eev. Daniel, 209. 
Wilder, Col. Caleb, 207. 
Winchester, Charles, 207. 

" George C, 207. 

" Eev. Jonathan, 208-9. 

Wood- ware, 207. 



TOWN OF ATHOL. 



Against the EebcUion, 226-8. 
Agricultural and Mechanical Society, 230. 
Athol, Duko of, 216. 

" in the Ecvolution, 217. 

" Surveyed, 213. 

Babcock, Jason, captured, 215. 
Bailey, Eev. Ira, 221. 
Banks, 231. 
Baptist Church, 221. 

" Meeting-IIonses, 222. 

" ■ Ministers, 222. 
Beckwitb, Rev. B. B., 221. 
Bigelow, William, 217. 
Blake, Eev. Henry A., 221. 
Boots and Shoes. 232-3. 
Bosworth, Eev. L. A., 222. 
Boundaries, 216-17. 
Brass Bands, 230. 
Brown, Eev. Mr., 218. 
Burton, Eev. W. S., 221. 
Burying-Place, 218. 
Business Interests and Firms, 231-34. 
" Men, 239. 

Catholic Church, 222. 
Cemeteries, 236. 
Chipman, Eev. E. M., 221. 
Church organized, 219. 

" Names of Members, 219. 
Clapp, Eev. William, 222. 
Clarke, Eev. Jonas, 220-1. 

" S. F., 218. 
Committee of Correspondence and Inspection, 

217-18. 
Companies, Two of Militia, 217. 
Contention, 219. 
Corporate Act, 216. 



Cotton Factory, 232. 
Coyne, Eev. Joseph, Jr., 222. 
Cutler, Eev. Temple, 221. 

Division of Church, 220. 

Emmet Literary Society, 230. 
Estabrook Family, 236. 

" Hon. B., 238. 

•• Rev. Joseph, 210-20, 225, 238. 
Evangelical Church, 221. 

" Society, 221. 

Fire Department, 231. 
Fish and Game, 215. 
Fish, Mrs. Sally, 236. 
Floraof Athol, 229. 
Forts, 215. 
Freemasons, 230. 
Fringed Gentian, 229. 

Gas, 2a5. 

Geological Structure, 229. 

Gibbs, Rev. E. P., 221. 

Graduates, 239. 

Grammar School, 223. 

Grand Army of the Republic, 230. 

High Schools, 224. 
Hill, Wells L., 237. 
Horr, George W., 213 
Hotels, 239. 

House-Lots Drawn, 213. 
Hoyt, Dr. George, 237. 
" Gen. George, 237. 
Humfries, Eev. James, 219. 
Humphrey, Eev. George F., 238. 



INDEX. 



643 



Incorporation, 210. 
Indians, 214, 21G. 

Jennings, Lyman, 235. 
Jacobs, Elder Wliitman, 221. 

Kelton, Calvin, 238. 

Libr.ary Association, 230. 
Log-Hut, 214. 

Machinery, 234. 

JIceting-House, 218-221. 

Methodist Churches, 222 ; names of Ministers, 

222. 
Miller's or Tequoiag Kiver, 228. 
Minerals, 229. 

Minister's Mnsket, The, 215. 
Minute-Mou, 218. 
Moore, Rev. Josiah, 221. 
Morton, A., first white child, 214. 
Murray, John, 216. 
Music Hall, 234. 

National Politics, 225. 
Newspapers, 237. 
Nightingale, Kev. Crawford, 221. 
Norton, Ecv. John F., 221. 

O'Danicls, Rev. D. C, 221. 
Officers, Names of, 216. 

Parsons, Rev. James C, 222. 
Peace-Maker, 220. 
Peat-Bed, 229. 
Pequoiag, 213. 
Physicians, 238-9. 



Population, 236. 
Post-Officos, 235. 
Priest, Rev. S. E., 221. 
Proprietors' Names, 213. 

Railroads, 234. 
Representatives, 226. 
Round Top, 228. 

Scenery, 228. 

Schools, 223-4. 

School Committee, 234. 

Second Advent Society, 222. 

Second Unitarian Chvirch, 222. 

Senators, 226. 

Settlement hindered hy War, 215. 

Settlers, First, Names of, 214. 

Shaw, Rev. Linus H., 221. 

Sidewalks, 235. 

Silver Lake, 236. 

Singing, 223. 

Soldiers in the Field, 21H. 

" Names of, 227, and Number, 227. 
Squadrons, 223. 

Stockwell, Capt. Ephraim, 218. 
Sweotser, Charles H., 237. 

Temperance Lodges, 230. 
Twitohell, Hon. Ginery, 238. 

Wallingford, Ezekiel, killed, 218. 
Warner, Rev. James F., 221. 
War of 1812-15, 224. 
Water Company, 235. 
Waterman, E. W., 237. 
Wiswell, Miss Esther, 219. 
Woolen Factory, 223. 
Wood-work, 233. 



TOWN OF AUBUEN. 



Adams, Rev. Darwin, 247. 
Auburn changed from Ward, 246. 

" in the Revolution, 243. 

" vs. the Rebellion, 249. 

Bailey, Jacob W., 249. 

" Rev. Isaac, settled, 247. 
Baptist Church, 247 ; Elders of, 247. 
Beef for the Army, 245. 
Boundaries, 243. 
Brooks and Rivers, 241. 
Business Establishments, 248. 

Catholic Mission, 247. 
Chamberlain, Rev. Charles, 247. 
Church and Common, 248. 
Congregational Church organized, 247. 



Constitution of the State, 244. 
Correspondence and Inspection, 246. 
Crowell, Capt. John, 240. 

Davis, Rev. Elnathan, 247. 
Deer-Reeves, 244. 
Dwinell, Elder Isaac, 247. 

Eddy, Jesse, 240. •' 
Education, 247-8. 

Farming Lands, Good, 241, 248. 
French, Rev. George, 247. 

Going, Eev. Dr. Jonathan, 247. 
Goulding Jonah, 246. 
Grants, 240. 
Green, Dr. Thomas, 249. 



644 



INDEX. 



Dills, 240. 

Hoadley, Rev. L. J., 247. 

Incorporatiou, 243. 
Indian Village, 240. 

Kendall, Rev. Charles, 247. 
King riiilip, 240. 

Library, Public, 248. 
Location and Surface, 240. 

McGregory, Elder Ellas, 247. 
Meetiug-House, 242, 246. 
Monument, 219. 

Packacboag Hill, 240. 

Paine, Elder John, 247. 

Parish Meeting, First, 241. 

Poll Parish, 241. 

Pond, Rev. Dr. Enoch, 247, 249. 

Population, 249. 

Pratt, Rev. Minor G., 247. 

Preaching, 242, 244. 



Quota of Soldiers, 249. 

Representatives, 249. 
Ricliardson, Rev. U. W., 247. 
Roads; 248. 

.Sagamore John, 240. 
School Committee, First, 24a 
Shays' Insurrection, 24G. 
Slater, Peter, 240. 
Statistics, 250-1. 
Stockwell, George A., 240. 
Stone, Joseph, 241. 
Suspected Tories, 244-5. 

Town Meeting, First, 243. 
" Officers, 243. 

Villages, 243-9. 

Ward, Gen. Artemas, 242. 
Warren, Jonah G., 249. 
Water-Supply, 241. 
Wiud Grist-Mill, 240. 



TOWN OF BARRE. 



Aldrich, Judge P. Emory, 270. 
Agriculture, 268. 
Artillery, Battalion of, 267. 
Asylum, Private, 270. 

Baptist Church, 260. 

Barre, original connection, 252 ; Surveyed, 

273 ; Slave Case, 258. 
Bates, Dr. Anson, 270. 
Brown, Dr. George, 270. 
Buckminster, Col., 2G5. 
Burying-Grouuds, 260. 

Caldwell, James, 256. 
Cheese, 209. 
Churches, 269. 

Dana, Rev. Josiah, 259. 
District, Petition for, 254. 

Eminent Men, 269-70. 

Evangelical Church, 265 ; Society, 260 ; Min- 
isters of, 201. 

Factories, 269. 
First Settlers, 257. 
Foster, Joseph, 252. 
Free Worshijipers, 201. 
Frink, Rev. Thomas, 259. 



Gazette, 271. 

God-Feariug People, 257. 
Graduates of Colleges, 264. 

Harwood, Prof. Daniel, 258. 
Hi^h School, 263, 271. 
Hills. 271. 

HoUlen, James, 256. 
Hotels, 271. 

Incorporated as Hutchinson, 255. 

Jenkins Family, 258. 

Kimball, Rev. Jloses, 261. 

Lawyers and Doctors, 269. 
Leading Families, 258-9. 
Lee, Gen. Samuel, 266. 

" Henry, 256. 
Light Infantry, 267. 

Mandell, Moses, 263. 

Masonic Lodge, 271. 

Men and Money to put down Rebellion, 268. 

Meeting-House, 259-60. 

Military History, 265. 

Mills, 269. 

Ministers, Methodist, 261 ; Unitarian, 261. 

Minute-Men, 265. 



INDEX. 



645 



Osgood, Joshua, 256. 

Piorcp, Frederick C, 252. 
Proprietors' Sleeting, 253. 

Names of, 252-3. 

Powder and Ball, 207. 
Public Siiirit, 208. 
Purchase of the L.aud, 252. 

Rebellion ; Action of the Town, 207. 
Rice, Henry E., 250. 

" Jotham, 256. 
Rocking-Stoue, 273. 
Rowlandson, Joseph, 252. 
Rutland District, 255. 

Scenery, Fine, 271. 

Schools, 202. 

School Districts, 262. 



School-Masters, 263. 
School, State Normal, 203. 
Selectmen, 208. 
Shays' Rebellion, 266. 
Sibloy, Capt. Lyman, 2.''>9. 
Soil, Excclleut, 271. 
Soldiers in the Revolution, 206. 
Stevens, Cyprian, 252. 
StoiTS, Rev. John, 201. 

Taxes in the Revolution, 266. 
Thompson, Rev. Dr., 200-61. 
Town Hall, 271. 

Univcrsalist Society, 260. 

Ware River, 271. 
Wilbur, Dr. Henry, 270. 

Willard, Benjamin, 252 ; Henry, 252; Samuel, 
253. 



Assabet River, 272. 

Baker, Hon. Samuel, 277. 
Baldwin, Rev. A. C, 277. 
Boundaries, 272. 
Burdett, Rev. Michael, 277. 
Business, 274. 

Carver, Rev. Robert, 277. 
Christy, Rev. A. B., 277. 
Church AfiViirs, 276. 

" Members, 274. 

" Origin of, 273. 
Clark, Rev. Eber L., 277. 

" Rev. Seldeu C, 277. 
Clergymen, 279. 

District, 272. 

Farming, 274. 

Friends or Quakers, 277. 

Gates' Pond, 272-3. 
Goss, Rev. Mr., 273. 
Green, Rev. George W., 277. 

Hills, 272. 

Houghton, Rev. William A., 277. 

Houses and Lauds, 275. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 

Howe, Hon. S. H., 279. 

Lamson, Rev. David K., 276. 

Meeting- House, 274. 

Origin of Families, 273. 
" of the Town, 272. 
Orthodox, 274. 

Parish and Precinct, 272. 

Patriotism in Time of the Rebellion, 276. 

Physicians, 279. 

Puffer, Rev. Dr. Reuben, 274, 277-8. 

Railways, 275. 
Roads, 273. 

Schools, 275. 
Streams, 272. 
Surface and Soil, 272. 

Unitarians, 274. 
Unitarian Society, 276. 

Walcut, Rev. Robert F., 274. 
Walley, Rev. Mr., 273. 
Whitney, Rev. Peter, 278. 



TOWN OF BLACKSTONE. 



Absentees, 297. 
Agricultural Interest, 288. 
" Library, 289. 

Athenaeum, 289. 



Balch, Rev. Benjamin, 281. 
Ballon, Rev. Adin, 282. 
Banks, 293. 
Blackstone Incorporated, 280. 



(546 



INDEX. 



Ulackstouo Manufacturing Co., 284-5. 
Blackstoue, William, 280. 

Canal, 294. 

Catholic Chtircb, 284. 

Catholic Union, Young Men's, 289. 

Chairman of Town Officers, 290-1. 

Choatc, Kufus, 297. 

Chronicle, The Blackstoue, 291. 

Clothiers, 286. 

Congregational Church, 282; Ministers of, 282. 

Distressing Accident, 296-7. 
District Court, 292. 
Dow, Lorenzo, 282. 

Early Landholders, 281. 

East Blackstoue, 281. 

Eldei-8, Names of, 282. 

Emmons, Rev. Dr., 282. 

Episcopal Church, 283 ; Ministers of, 283. 

Exhibit of Mauufactuns, 287-8. 

Farnum, Welcome, 294-5. 
Foreign Element, 288. 
French, 288. 
FrcewiU Baptists, 282. 
Friends, The, 282. 

Hill, Dan, 295. 
Hotels, 294. 

Intervale, 296. 
Irish, 288. 

Junction of Railroads, 281. 

Lawj-ers, 292. 

Libraries, Sunday School, 289. 
Library Association, 289. 
Localities, 281. 



Machiue Shop, 287. 

Mtetiug-Housc, Old, 281-2. 

Men of Mark, 296. 

Methodist Church, 283 ; its Ministers, 283 

" Reformed Church, 283. 

Military and Patriotic Spirit, 292-3. 
Mill-Privilege, 285. 
Mill River, 286. 
Millville, 281, 286. 

Old Mill, 284. 

Physicians, 292. 
Pitts, Esek, 295. 
Police Courts, 292. 
Popiilatiou, 288. 
Postmasters 291. 
Putnam, Judge A. A., 280. 

Railways, 280, 294. 
Representatives, 290. 

Satinets, 287. 

Scenery, 296. 

Schools, 289 ; Houses, 289. 

Secret Societies, 293. 

Senators, 290. 

Smith, Rev. Preserved, 281. 

South Precinct, 281. 

Study llaU, 280. 

Thayer, Caleb, 295. 
Todil, Paul P., 292. 
Town Clerks, 291. 
Treasurers, 291. 

Waterford, 281. 
Water-Power, 280. 
Wilder, Rev. T. G., 282. 



TOWN OF I50LT0N. 



Agriculture, 306. 
Allen, Rev. Isaac, 302. 



Baptist Church, 303-4 ; Ministers of, 304. 

Barrels, 300. 

Beauty of Scenery, 298. 

Belcher, Gov., 298. 

Boots and Shoes, 306. 

Bricks, 306. 

Chickeriiig, Rev. Dr. J. W., 303. 

Church organized, 300 ; its later Ministers, 303. 

Clergymen, 308. 

Comb-makiug, 306. 

Edes, Rev. Richard S., 303. 



I'arineis' Club, 308. 
Fire Statistics, 307. 
Friends or Quakei'S, 303. 

Geography, 298. 
Geology, 299. 
Goss, Kev. Thomas, 300. 
Guards, The Boltou, 308. 

Hills, 298-9. 
Hillside Church, 303. 
Hoops, 306. 

Houghton, Joseph, 306. 
Houghton School, 306. 

Incorporated, 298, 301. 
Indian Wars, 304. 



INDEX. 



647 



Johnson, Asa, 308. 

Lafayette's Visit, 307. 
Liliiary, Public, 30C. 
Limestone, 293. 
Long Lake, 299. 

Meeting-house, 300. 

Metals, 299. 

Military History, 304; officerB, 304. 

Minerals, 299. 

Nashua Kiver, 308. 

Philip's War, 309. 
Physicians, 308. 
Population, 307. 

Railways, 308. 



Rebellion, The, 305. 
Rivers and Brooks, 299. 

Schools, 30.5. 

SoUliers in the late W.ar, 305. 

Stone, Rev. Dr. Thomas T., 303. 

Still River, 299. 

Swans' Swamp, The, 299. 

Teachers, 306. 

Thompson, Dr. J. L. S., 306. 

Veto Power of the Minister, 302. 

Walley, Rev. John, 302. 
Wheeler's Block-house, 300. 
Whiteomb, Gen. John, 304. 
White, Rev. Phinehas, 302. 
Wilder, S. V. S., 303, 308. 



TOWN OF BOYLSTON. 



Agriculture, 312. 
Andrews, Willard, 318. 
Area of the Town, 309. 

Boylston Family, 311. 
Boylston, Ward N., 317. 
Boundaries, 309. 
Burying-ground, The New, 318. 
Burying-yard, 317. 
Bush, Jotham, 318. 

Charming Scenery, 309. 
Church organized, 313. 
Cotton, Rev. Ward, 314, 317. 

Fairbanks, Rev. Eleazar, 314. 
First town meeting, 316. 
Flagg, Augustus, 309. 
Flagg, John, 318. 
Four Ponds, 309-10. 

Hooper, Rev. Hezekiah, 314. 

Indians, 312. 

Kimball, Rev. Henry S., 315. 

Library, 312. 



Longevity, 311. 
Longley, James, 318. 

Maynard, Turner, 318. 

Meetiug-House, 313, 316. 

Mills, 310. 

Minerals, 310. 

Morse, Rev. Ebenezer, 313-14, 318. 

Old Families, 31.5. 

Partridge, John, 318. 
Prominent Citizens, 316. 

Rebellion, The, 315. 
Revolution, The, 315. 
Roads and Bridges, 310. 
Ross, Rev. A. Hastings, 315. 
Russell, Rev. Samuel, 314. 

Sanford, Rev. Wm. H., 314. 
Sawyer's Mills, 310. 
Sawyer, Thomas, 311. 
Sholau, sachem, 311. 
Six N.ations, 311. 
Straw Hollow, 310. 

Villages, 310-11. 



Hills, 320. 

Iron-Ore, 321. 

Old Meeting-House Hill, 320. 

Ponds, 319-20. 

Quaboag Pond and River, 319. 



THE BROOKFIELDS, 



Soil, 320. 

Swamp Land, 320. 

Valley of the Quaboag, 320. 

Wickaboag Pond, 321. 



G48 



INDEX. 



Brookfield. 



Ambush, 323. 



Baptist Church, 344-5 ; Miuisters of, 348. 
Boots iiud Shoes, 343. 
Brookfield, diviiloil, 340-1. 

" Taveru, 340. 

Buildings burued, 323. 
Busiucss, 342-3. 

Cattle frightened, 324. 
Cemetery, 346. 

Cheney, Rev. Thomas, 327, 333. 
Church gathered, 333. 
Churches, The, 343. 
Coniniittee, The governing, 325, 327. 
Congregational Church, Third, 343 ; Ministers 
of, 344. 

Desolation, 325. 

Early Ministers, 332. 
Education, 322, 341-2. 
EUot, John, 322. 

Farming, 342. 

Fiske, Rev. Dr., 322, 336. 

First Settlement, 322. 

Forbes, Rev. Eli, 330, 338. 

Foster, Jedediah, 337. 

Foundry, 343. 

French and Indian War, 330. 

G. A. R. Post, 347. 
Gilbert's Fort, 326-7. 
Goose, rhilii), 331. 
Goss's Garrison, 320. 
Grant, 322. 

Harding, Rev. EUsha, 335. 
Uills and Valleys, 321. 
Horrors, Scenes of, 329. 
Hotels, 347. * 

House of Mr. Spooner, 339. 

Indian Haunts, 321. 

Indian Hostility, 328. 

Indian Ingenuity, 324. 

Indians, The, 323; fifteen killed, 328. 

Iron Works, 343. 

Lawyers, 34G. 

Library, TIid Mi-rrick, 346. 

Lodge of Masons, 347. 

JIan, wounded, 323. 
Marks' Garrison, 320. 



MarU.s, Mrs., 32G. 
Mason, Mr., killed, 328. 
Mather, Increase, 324. 
M.Mting-IIouse, 326-7, 333. 
Murder of three Indians, 321. 

Newell's Company, 338. 
Nipncts (ir Nipniucs, 321-3. 

Old Mu,stcr-Roll8, 331. 

Pastorate, long, 334. 
Philip, 324. 
Physicians, 346. 
Politics, Federal, 341. 
Principal Iloiise, 323. 
Prominent Men, 346. 
Prosperity, 330. 

Ratsbane, Political, 337. 

Rebellion, The, 345; Soldiers and bounties, 

345-6. 
Kendezvons, 323. 
Ro-plauting, 325. 

Savages, invisible, 324. 
Second Church, 330. 
Self-governing, 327. 
Shays' Rebellion, 339. 
Singular Scenes, 340. 
Steamboat, 342. 

Third Church, 336. 
Toryism, 339. 
Town Meeting, 331. 
Treaty, 323. 

Unitarian Society, 344 ; Miuisters of, 344. 

Waite Family, 3.38. 
WhiteMe!d,334. 
Wickaboag Pond, 321. 
Willanl, .Maj. Simon, 324-5. 
Wils(.n, Maj., 323. 
Winthnip, Gov. John, 322. 
Woolcot, John, anecdote of, 329. 
" Joseph, 328. 

North Brookfield. 
Adams, Charles, Jr., 356. 
Appleton, Hon. William, 348. 
" Rev. Josei(h, 347-8. 

Avann, Rev. J. M., 352. 

ISarns, Capt. Jonathan, 350. 
Uatclicll.T House, 350, 354. 
Batchellcr, Ezra, 350. 



INDEX. 



649 



Batcheller, E. & A. II., 354. 

" Tyler, :i50-l. 

Boots and Shoes, 350, 354. 
Business, 354. 

Catholic Chnrch, 354. 
Churches, Four, 356. 
Conway, Rev. John, 354. 
Cushins, Kev. C, D. D., 348, 353. 

Dauforth, Capt. Asa, 350. 
Do Bevoise, Rev. G. H., 353. 
District Society, 347. 

Edson, Hiram, 350. 
Education, 354. 

Farming, 343, 354-5. 
Forbes, Rev. EU, 347. 

G. A. R. Post, 356. 
Gilbert, Capt. Daniel, 350. 
Growth of the town, 351. 

Harwood, Capt. Peter, 350. 
High School, 354. 
Bird, Rev. J. W., 354. 
Houses, poor, 349 ; good, 351. 

Johnson, William, 350. 

Kittredge, Dr. Jacob, 349. 

Lawyers, 356. 

Library, The Pastor's, 346, 356-7. 
Location, pleasant, 356. 
Loom and wheel, 349. 

Mecting-House, 347, 349, 352. 
Methodist Church, 353. 
Monument, 356. 

Odd Fellows, 356. 

Patriotism in all wars, 355. 
Physicians, 356. 
Population, 350. 
Public-spLrited Men, 356. 

Railroad, 357. 
Rebellion, The, 355. 
Religious History, 347. 

Savings Bank, 356. 

Snell, Rev. Dr. Thomas, 348, 350, 352. 

Society, improved, 351. 

Soldiers and bounties, 355-6. 

Sons of Temperance, 356. 



Union Congregatiouiil Society and Church 
formed, 353 ; Meeting-house, 353 ; Ministers 
of, 353. 

Walker, Amasa, 356. 
Walker, Freeman, 350. 
Walsh, Rev. Michael, 354. 
War, French and Indian, 349. 
Ward, Hiram, 350 ; Oliver, 350. 

West Brookfield. 

Against the Rebellion, 369-70. 
Ainsworth, Thomas, 359. 

Barnes, John, 363. 
Boots, 369. 
Bounties, 370. 
Business, 368. 
Butter, 368. 

Cemeteries, 371. 
Cheese, 368. 
Church History, 362-7. 
Church, Ministers of, 367. 

" Covenant, Extract from, 365. 
Clark, Rev. H. W., 368. 
Common, The, 371. 
Corsets, 369. 

Dorcas Society, 371. 
Dunham, Rev. Samuel, 363. 

Early Wars, 359. 
Education and Schools, 368. 

Fales, John M., 369. 
Female Classical Seminary, 368. 
Foot, Rev. Joseph. 366. 
Foster Hill and other hills, 358. 
Foster, Hon. Jedediah, 363. 

Game, 359. 

Half-Way Covenant, 364. 
Harding, Rev. Elisha, 362. 
Hotels, 369. 

Incorporation, 357. 

Library, Public, 370. 
Lynde, E. B., 371. 

Meeting-Houses, 363-4, 367. 

Merriam Family, 369. 

Methodist Church, 368 ; Miuisters of, 368. 

Milk, 368. 

Ministry Lands, 364. 



650 



INDEX. 



Newspapers, 369. 

Old Squaw, 301. 

Parsons, Rev. Joseph, 367. 
Phelps, Rev. Eliakim, 366. 
Philip, 359. 
Printiug, 369. 
Prominent Persons, 376. 

Quahoag Valley, 358. 

Revolution, The, 362. 



Scenery, Fine, 358. 
Singular Shape of Town, 358. 
Soldiers, 370. 
Stone House, 358. 

Tavern, Old Wait, 360. 
Tories, 305. 

Wait, John, 300 ; his brothers, 362. 
Ward, Rev. Ephraim, 365. 
Whigs, 365. 
Wickaboag Lake, 358. 



TOWN OF CHARLTON. 



Acreage, 384. 
Ante-Revolutionary, 375. 

Baptist Church, 377. 
Bay-Path, 379. 
Beef for the Army, 376. 
Blood, Isaiah, 375. 
Boots and Shoes, 380. 
Boundaries, 372, 374. 

Campbell, Eev. Archibald, 377. 
Calvinlstic Congregational Church and So- 
ciety, 377 ; Ministers of, 377. 
Charlton Centre ; City; Depot, 380. 
Committee of Correspondence, 375. 
Curtis, Rev. Caleb, 375, 377. 

Davis, Jacob, 375 . 

Declaration of Independence, 375. 

District, 374. 

Dresser, Harvey, 380-1. 

Farm Products, 384. 

First Congregational Church and Society, 377. 

Goro, The, 374. 

Green, Rev. Nathaniel, 378. 

Haven, Rev. John, 377. 
Height of Laud, 379. 
Hills, 379. 

Incorporation, 372. 
Indian HUl, 381. 

Land, strong and rich, 379. 
Lamed, Rev. Erastus, 377. 
Lumber Mills, 380. 

Marcy, Moses, 374. 

Meetidg-House, 375-<5. 

Methodist Church, First in Massachusetts, 378. 



Military Discipline, 375. 

Morsevillo, 3fiO. 

Morton, Dr. W. G. T., 383. 

New House of Worship, 377. 

Orcharding, 379. 

Petition, 373. 

Petit iouere, Names of, 372-3. 
Population, 384. 
Preaching, 370. 

Quimby, Rev. J. P., 379. 

Rebellion, The, Soldiers and Bounties, 362. 
Representatives, 383. 
Ruter, Rev. Dr. Martin, 383. 

Schools, 375, 381-2. 

Senators, '.iS'J. 

Size of the District, 374. 

Situation, 372. 

Soldiers in the Revolution, 376. 

" who died in the late war, 382. 
Statistics, 384. 
Stockwell, George A., 372. 

Taxing Non-Ecsidents, 379. 
Towne, Gen. Salem, 383. 
Town Officers, First, 374. 
Tucker, Capt. Jonathan, 375. 

Unitarians and Universalists, 377. 
Unitarian Society, First, 379, 

" " Ministers of, 377. 

Villages, 380. 
Voluntary Principle, 377. 

Woi.hn Mills, :^'n. 
Worship (if O.mI, 372. 



INDEX. 



G51 



TOWN OF CLINTON. 



Agriculture, 406. 
Area aud Surface, 385. 
Attendance at Scliool, 395. 

Baptist Church, 398. 

Bigolow Carpet Company, 393, 403. 

Bigelow, Charles B., 404. 

" Erastus B., 385, 387, 401, 404, 40G-9. 

" H. N., 401-3, 407. 
Bigelow Mechanics' Institute, 395. 
Boundaries, 385. 

Bowers, Rev. Dr. Charles M., 398. 
Business Prosperity, 391. 

Cemetery, 389. 

Check to Enterprise by the War, 391. 

Church of the Good Shepherd, 399 ; Rectors 

of, 399. 
Clinton Banks, 405-C. 

" Courant, 397. 

" Mill, 402. 

" Weekly Record, 397. 
Coach-Lace Loom, 401. 
Common, The, 400. 
Coulter, William J., 397. 

Dame, John T., 333. 
District Court, 400. 

EUam, J. W., 397. 
Evening Schools, 394. 

Fire Department, 389, 400. 
First Industries, 390. 
Forbes, Franklin, 403, 407. 

Gas Company, 404. 

Gibbs Loom-Harness and Reed Company, 405. 
I Grammar Schools, 394. 

High School, 394 ; Masters of, 394. 
Horn-Combs, 405. 
Horticulture, 406. 
Houses of Worship, 398. 

Impulse to Growth, 388. 
Iron Foundry, 405. 

Lancaster MUls, 403-3. 
Library, Joint Stock, 395. 



Library, Public, 390; Room, 39G ; Volumes, 395. 
Light Guard, 406. 
Lumber-Mill, 405. 
Lyceum Association, 396. 

Machine Shop, 405. 

Manufacturers, 401. 

Masons, 400. 

Methodist Church, 398 ; Ministers of, 399. 

Moral and Religious Culture, 397. 

Nashua River, 385-6. 
Newspapers, 397. 

Odd Fellows, 400. 

Origin of Business, 387 ; of the Town, 335. 

Orthodox Church, 398; Ministers of, 398. 

Parkhurst, W. E., 397. 
Patriotic Feeling, 391. 
Ponds, 386. 
Population, 389-90. 
Public Buildings, 389. 
Public Property, 3S3. 

Quilt-Loom, 402. 

Railroads, 406. 

Reservoir Gave Way, 392. 

Roman Catholic Church, 399 ; Pastors of, 399. 

Schools, 393-4. 
Second Advent Church, 399. 
Serious Disaster, 392. 
Situation and Latitude, 385. 
Societies, Various, 400. 
Soldiers and Bounties, 391. 
Soldiers' Monument, 401. 
Streams, 386-7. 
Swan, C. L., 405. 

Tannery and Tanning, 393, 405. 
Taxable Lands, 387. 
Town Hall, 390, 406. 

Unitarian Society, 339 ; Pastors of, 399. 

Waters, Charles H., 404. 
Wire-Cloth Company, 404. 



Aunt Pratt, 410. 

Ballon, Hosea, 413. 
Baptist Church, 412. 



TOWN OF DANA. 



Bouudaries, 408. 
Box Company, 417. 
Bridgman's Fort, 411. 



G52 



IXDEX. 



Earliest Settlement, 409. 

Flax, 409. 

Foster, Nathaniel, 409. 

Gaffield, Benjamin, 410. 

" Mrs., 411. 
Great Frost, 417. 
Grout, Hilkiali, 410. 

Hills and Vallej-s, 408. 
Horr, George W., 408. 
Howe, Caleb, 410 ; Mrs. Howe, 411. 

Incorporated, 408. 
Indians, 411. 

Jobnson, Stephen, 418. 

Keep, Rev. John, 414. 

Lindsey, Dr. Marshall L., 417. 
Lodge of Good Templars, 417. 

Manufactures, 415. 
Meeting-House.s, 410, 417. 
Men of prominence, 419. 
Merrilt, Rev. E. W., 414. 



Methodist Churcli, 414. 

Names of landholders, 410. 

Orthodox Church, 413; Ministers of, 414. 
Officials, 418. 

Palm-Leaf Hats, 416. 
Piauo-Forte Legs, 416. 
Population, 417. 

Railroad, 417. 

Schools, 414. 
Shakerism, 414. 
Shays' Rebellion, 411-12. 
Soldiers, 415-16. 
Spotted Fever, 417. 
Stone, Daniel, 419. 
Stone Mill, 416. 

Town Meeting, first, 410. 

Univcrsalist Society, 413 ; Ministers of, 413. 

Wars: — The Revolution; War of 1812-15; 

the Rebellion, 415. 
Wheeler's Cave, 412. 



TOWN OF DOUGLAS. 



Ancient Hotels, 422. 
Arrow-Heads, 421. 
Axe Company, 429. 
Axes, 428. 

Band of Music, 427. 

Bloody Fight, 423. 

Bold Spirits in tho Revolution, 422. 

Boundaries, 420. 

Briggs, Rev. \Vm. T., 425. 

Catholic Church, 426 ; pastors of, 426. 
Congregational Church, 424 ; Ministers of, 

425 ; Second, organized ; Ministers of, 425. 
Continental Money, 423. 

Delphos, Rev. A., 426. 
Divisions, 420. 
Douglas, Dr. William, 420. 
Dow, Rev. W. W., 425. 

East Douglas Musical Society, 427. 
Education, 426. 
Elevations, 420. 
Emerson, Wm. A., 420. 

Face of tho Country, 420. 
Fanning, 420. 



Geology, 420. 
Grants, 421. 

Holman, Rev. David, 425. 

Independence, 422. 

.Jeuuison, Samuel, 422. 

Library Association, 427. 

Lodges, 427. 

Lyceums, Clubs, etc., 427. 

Manufactures, 438. 

Jlccting-Houses, 4i4-5. 

Methodist Episcopal, Reformed and Wosleyau 

Cliurches ; Ministers of, 425. 
Mills, 429. 
Minute-Men, 422. 

Newspapers, 428. 
Nipmuc Indians, 400. 
Notable Families, 429. 

Patriotism in the Rebellion, 424. 
Phipps, Rev. Wm., 424. 



INDEX. 



Md 



Ponds, 420. 
Population, 421. 

QuakiTs or Frlouds, 425. 

Eight of Suffrage, 421. 



School Fund, 420. 

" Houses, 427. 
Shays' Insurrection, 421?. 
Shoddy-Mills, 429. 
Squadrons, 42G. 
Stone, Rev. Isaac, 424. 



TOWN OF DUDLEY. 



Admissions to the Church, 43l'i. 
Apples, 4;!1. 
Area, 430. 

Baker, Rev. Zephaniah, 430. 
Bates, Rev. Dr. Joshua, 435. 
Birds, 430. 
Boundaries, 430. 
Business, 440-1. 

Clergymen, 442. 

Congregational Church, Ministers of, 435. 

Cows, 432. 

Diseases, foTV, 432. 
Domestic animals, 430-2. 
Dundee, 440. 

Early Families, 431. 
Education, 437. 
Eliot, Rev. John, 431. 

Farm products, 431. 
Fertility of laud, 430. 
Fish, 430. 
Flora, 431. 
Forty-Foot Wheel, 439. 

Gleason, Rev. Charles, 432. 
Gookiu, Gen., 433. 
Great Rogue, 442. 

Hancock, Col. Wm., 438. 
High School, 437. 
Howe, Rev. Perley, 435. 

Indians, 433-4; intemperate, 434; lost their 
land, 434. 

Large Families, 433. 
Lawyers, 441. 
Location, 430. 

Manners and Morals, 433. 
Meeting-Houses, 432, 436-7. 



Merino Wool Factory, 439. 
Methodists, 436 ; Ministers, 437. 
Middlesex, 443. 
Moqua, John, Minister, 435. 

Nichols Academy, 436-8. 
Nichols, Aniasa, 436. 
Nipmncs, 434. 

Officers chosen, 432. 

Pegan Trihe, 433. 
Perryville, 440. 
Physici.ans, 441. 
Politics, 442. 
Ponds, 430. 
Population, 430. 
Prayer and Fasting, 432. 
Preceptors, 438. 

Raihvay,s 431. 
Rainfall, 431. 
Rattlesnakes, 431. 
Roads, 431. 

Scenery, admirable, 430. 
Schools, 441-2. 
Sheep, 432. 
Squaw sachem, 433. 
Stevens Linen Works, 439. 

Teacher, Joseph, 434. 
Tillers of the Soil, 432. 
Town Sleeting, first, 432. 
Tufts, Hon. George H., 438. 
Tufts' MUls, 440. 

Universalists, 436 ; Preachers, 43". 

West Dudley, 440. 

Wild Animals, 430. 

Wild Geese, 430. 

Williams, Rev. Abiel, 433, 43.5. 

Wolcott, Rev. W., 436. 



TOWN OF FITCIIBURG. 



Academy, 452, 464. 
Agricultural Society, 460. 



American Rattan Company, 490. 
Area aud Boundaries, 444. 



654 



INDEX. 



Amiw-licails, 445. 
Atbcuajuiu, 4r>9. 

Bailey, Ebon, 444 ; G. F., 478. 
Banks, 492. 
Biographical, 494, 504. 
Bi)ard of Trade, 4G0. 
Bridges, 450, 46.3. 
Bnllard, Rev. Ebenezer, 482. 
Burleigh Eock-Drill, 487. 
Basiness in Early Times, 461-2. 
" Increase of, 4C7. 

Catholic Chapel, 459. 
" Church, 459. 
Calrinistic Orthodox Church, 458. 
Chair Business, 489. 
Chapel, 459. 
Church erected, 461. 
Church organized, 454. 
City of Fitchburg, 467. 
Coal Indications, 445. 
Cotton Goods, 482-3. 
Cowden, Thomas, 495. 
Crocker, Alvah, 465, 499, 501. 

Daily Press, 465. 

Dean Hill, 455. 

Declaration of Independence, 47.3. 

Drafts, 481. 

Duck Mill, 483. 

Education, 451-2. 

Efforts to Divide the County, 477. 

Episcopal Church, 459. 

Families in 1764, 448. 
Farming, 407. 
Fitchburg Gazette, 463. 

" IJ^^veille, 464. 

" Sentinel, 464. 

Fitch, John, captured, 446. 
Fox, Oliver, 497. 
FrcewiO Baptists, 458. 

Garrisons, 448. 
Government, Self, 468. 
Grain Business, 490. 

Incorporation, 448-9. 
Indian Hunters, 445. 

" Raids, 446. 
Instnictions to Delegate, 470. 
Insurance Companies, 493. 
Iron Business, 484-5. 

Kimball, Col. J. \V., 480. 



Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Society, 4'^1. 
Lead, Powder and Flints, 471. 
Library, Public, 459. 
Loan Association, 493. 

Mannfacturing Pioneers, 482 ; Capital, 491. 

Marshall, Jonas, 497. 

Masonic Lodges, 460. 

Mectiug-Houses, 453-6, 458. 

Memorial to the Soldiers, 481. 

Metals, Precious, 4^5. 

Methoditt Church, 458. 

Mic.i-Sliite, Gneiss and Granite, 444. 

Miles, Eugeno T., 503-4. 

Jlilitary, 493-4. 

Mills, 482. 

Minister's Salary, 475. 

Minute-Men, 170-1. 

Money and Soldier.s, 479. 

Monument, Soldiers', 467. 

Nashua River and other Streams, 445. 

" " a Blessing, 482; a Nuisance, 456. 
Newspapers, Extinct, 465. 

Officers of the Town, 450. 
Old Cemetery, 454. 

" City, 455. 
Orthodox Church, 457. 

Page, David, 447. 

Paper Currency, 473-4. 

Paper-making, 487-8. 

Paysou, Rev. Phillips, 454, 471-2. 

Philosoidiical Society, 459. 

Physicians, 497. 

Political Matters, 477. 

Population, 468. 

Preaching, 453-4. 

Prices Fixed, 474. 

Proposed New Town, 4.56. 

Putnam Machine Company, 485-6. 

Putnam, Salem W., 501-3. 

Railroads, 465. 

Rebellion, The, 478 ; Soldiers raised, 480. 
Relief Committee, 481. 
Religious Differences, 457. 
Resistance to Ibo British Ministry, 468. 
Revolution, Soldiers in, 472. 
Roads, 461. 

Rollstone and other Hills, 444. f 

" Congregational Church, 459. 

School Children, 453 ; Districts, 451-2. 

Scythes, 487. 

Second Adventists, 459. 



INDEX. 



655 



Second CongTogational Church, 459. 

Settlers, First, 447-8. 

Shiiys' Rebellion, 476. 

Snow, C. H. B., 4^2. 

Soil, Good, 444. 

Soldiers from Lancaster, 446. 

Spring, Rev. L. W., 459. 

Surface, 444. 

Tea, 469. 

Temperance Organizations, 460. 
Thurston, Kev. Asa, 497-8. 
Torrey, Ebenezer and Rufus, 498. 
Town Meeting, First, 450. 



Unitarian Church, 457. 
Uuiversalist Church, 459. 
Upton, Col. Edwin, 479. 

Valuation in 1771, 451; valuation, 468. 
Various Societies, 459. 
Village Baptist Society, 458. 
Villages, The, in 1835, 462. 

Water Works, 466. 
Whitney, Rev. Peter, 453. 
Wood, Nathaniel, 498 ; Moses, 504. 
Woolen Business, 483-4. 
Worcester County Courier, 463. 
" " Star, 463. 



TOWN OF GARDNER. 



Address to President Jefferson, 508. 
Anti-Slavery, 522. 
Artificial Ponds, 506. 

Bands of Music, 513. 

Banks, 510. 

Baptist Church, 523. 

Bass-Viol, 521. 

Bounded, 50.5. 

Bounties, 516-17. 

Burying- Yard, 507. 

Business Men, Prominent, 509-10. 

Catholic Church, 523. 
Cemeteries, 51 1. 
Chair Business, 508. 
Common, The, 507. 
Congregational Church, 522. 
Cooperage, 507. 
Cost of the War, 517. 
Crystal Lake, 506. 

Education, 518. 
Elevation of Land, 505. 
Evangelical Church, 522. 

Farming, 506. 

Fire Companies, 512. 

First Congregational Church, 523. 

First Settlers, 507. 

Gardner News, 511. 
G. A. R. Post, 512. 

Herrick, Rev. Wm. D., 505. 
Heywood, Levi, 524. 
High School, 519-20. 
Hills, 506. 



Incorporation, 505. 

Lincoln, Dr. Nathan S., 524. 

Kev. I. S., 522. 
Lodges, 512-13. 

Meeting-Honses, 507, 520-3. 
Men of Note, 524. 
Methodist Church, 523. 
Military Companies, 512. 
Minute-Men, 512. 
Musical Association, 513. 

Osgood, Rev. Jonathan, 508, 522. 
Otter River, 505-6. 

Parish and Town, 520. 
Political Matters, 507. 
Population, 506, 508. 

Railroads, 508. 
Rebellion, The, 514-17. 
Roads, 511. 
Rough and Hilly, 505. 

School-Houses, 519. 
School Squadrons, 518. 
Soldiers in the Rebellion, 517. 

" " Revolution, 514. 

Statistics of Business, 509. 

Temperance Cause, 513-14. 
Town Poor, 511. 

Uuiversalist Church, 523. 

Volunteers, 515-16. 

Water-shed, 505. 
Wood, Moses, 524. 



/ 



656 



INDEX. 



TOWN OF GRAFTON. 



Against the Eebelliou, 533-5. 

Bauks, 543. 

Baptist Cliureh, 538; Second, 539. 
Bible, its history, 538. 
Biographical, ,544-5. 
Biscoo, Rev. Thomas C, 538. 
Boumlarics, 525. 
Brighani, William, 533. 
Buryiug-Grouud, 528. 

Cemeteries, 537. 

Church and School, 528, 539. 

Chnrch of Christ, First, 538. 

Clocks, 543. 

Church in Saundersville, 539. 

Cotton Jlill.s, 542-3. 

Cnrricrs, 541. 

Eliot, Kcv. John, 527. 

Famumsville, 537. 

Fire, The, 534. 

Fire Department, 533. 

Fisher Mills, 542. 

Freewill Baptists, 539. 

French and Indian Wars, 530. 

G. A. R. Post, 543. 
Gookin, Major Daniel, 526. 
Grosvenor, Daniel, 531,538. 

Hassan nmisco, 520. 

High School, 540-1. 

Hills, 526. 

Howe, Rev. E. Frank, 536. 

Hutchinson, Rev. Aaron, 538. 

Incorporation, 529. 

Indians, 520, 530. 

Indian Bnrying-Ground, 537 ; Deed, 528. 

James Printer, 527. 

Lawyers, 543. 
Leather, 541. 
Leland, Joseph, 530. 
Library, 533; Public, 533-5. 
Lighting the Streets, 536. 
Linen Mill, 542. 
Lodges, 543. 



Manufacturers of Leather, 541. 
Mecting-Honsc, 528, 537-9. 
Men of prominence, 544-5. 
Methodist Church, 539. 
Slill-Privileges, 529. 
Ministers, Names of, 538-9. 
Monument to Soldiers, 534. 

National Centennial, 536. 
Now England Village, 536. 
Nipmucks or Nipnets, 526. 

Park, 533. 

Parish and Town, 539. 

Physicians, 543. 

Population, 530. 

Prentice, Rev. Solomon, 538. 

Queen Ann's War, 530. 

Railway, 536. 

Reserves for Indians, 530. 

Revolutionary War, 531 ; Soldiers in, 531. 

Rivers, 525-0. 

Roads, 521. 

Rock Mill, 541. 

Roman Catholics, 539. 

Sauudcrsville, 537. 
Scandlin, Rev. W. G., 534. 
School-Houses, 528, 540. 
Shays' Rebellion, 532. 
Soldiers in the late War, 534. 
State Senators, 544. 
Surface and Soil, 526. 

Tea Question, 531. 
Towu Map, 532. 

" Poor Farm, 533. 
Training Field, 528. 

Unitarian Church, 539. 

Valuation, 536. 
VQlages, 536. 

War Debt, 532. 

" of 1812-15, 532. 
Wheeler, Ebcnezer, Jr., 530. 
Windsor, Rev. John H., 535, 538. 
Woolen Business, 532. 



TOWN OF IIARDWICK. 



Allen, Dea., Rhymes of, 548. 
Anti-Rebellion, 557. 



Baptist Society and Chnrch, 555. 
Bisbcc, Rev. John, 555. 



INDEX. 



657 



Bounties to Soldiers, 557. 
Brown, Rev. William D., 555. 
Bnrial-Place, 543. 
Burt, Eev. E., 555. 
Butter, 516. 

Carpenter, Dr. Joel, 551. 
Carpenter, Nathaniel, 549. 
Catholic Church, 556. 
Cheese, 556. 

Church organized, 549; additions, 555; di- 
vided, 555. 
Constitution Makers, 553-4. 

Education, 554. 

Farms, good, 556. 
Farm Products, 556. 
First improved lots, 548. 
French and Indian Wars, 551. 
Furnace erected, 548. 

Galleries, 550. 
Gilbcrtville, 555-6. 
Glazier, Kev. Joseph, 555. 
Goldsbury, Eev. John, 554-5. 
Grant, The, 548. 
Green, Samuel, 547. 
Grist-MiU, 548. 

High School, 554. 
Hill Country, 546. 
Holt, Eev. Thomas, 555. 

In the Revolution, 549. 

Lamb, Joshua, 547. 
Lambstown, 547. 
Land purchased, 547. 
Liberty, spirit of, 554. 
Longevity, 556. 

Mandell, Paul, 552-3. 
Meeting-House, 548-9. 

" Party, 555. 



Men of Money, 553. 
Merrick, Eov. John, 555. 
Methodist Church, 556. 
Minister, Pay for, 548. 
Ministers, Names of, 555. 

Now Lights, 550. 

Officers chosen, 549. 

" Military, 553. 
Orthodox Party, 555. 

Page, Dea. C, 549; Eov. Dr. Lucius, 555; 

" Nathaniel, 547. 
Pews, 550. 

Ponds and Brooks, 546. 
Population, 556. 
Prominent Men, 557. 
Psalm-Books, 550. 

Rebellion, The Shays, 554. 
Roads, 547. 

Eobinson, Thomas, 552. 
Ruggles, Benjamin, 552. 

" Gen. Timothy, 547, 550-2. 

" Eov. Timothy, 547-8. 

Saflford, Challis, 551. 
Salary of Mr. White, 549. 
Schools, 554. 
Separates, 550. 
Statistics of Education, 554. 
Steeple built, 550. 

Town Incorporated, 546. 
Town, Votes of, in tho War, 557. 
Tract of land purchased, 547. 

Union Church, 555. 
Uuiversalists, 555. 

Ware Eiver, 547. 
Wesson, Eev. W. B., 555. 
Wombemesisecook, 547. 



TOWN OF HARVARD. 



Agriculture, 567. 

Aid Society, Soldiers', 569. 

Baptist Church, 563-4. 
Bear Hill Pond, 561. 
Beautiful Scenery, 558. 
Boundary and situation, 558. 
Bounties, 568. 
Brom field School, 565. 
Burying-Place, 562. 



Buying a Minister, 5G0. 

Church formed, 559. 

Education, 565. 
Elders, Baptist, 564. 
Emerson, Rev. Wm., 560. 

Family Names, Old, 558. 
Farms, 567; excellent, 567. 



658 



INDEX. 



Farm products, 5C7. 
Fisher, IJev. George, 5C6. 
Fruil-Trees, GC7. 

Gardner, Rev. A., 561. 
Garrisons, 501. 
Grosvenor, Eev. E., 500. 
Gurney, Rev. Jobn H., 566. 

Harvard, Rev. John, 558. 

Hell Pond, 5G1. 

Hills, 5C0. 

Houses, number of, 5G7. 

Incorporation, 558. 

Indian Wars, 562. 

Indignation against the British Ministry, 562. 

Ireland, Shadrack, 5G4-5. 

Johnson, Rov. Daniel, 5G0. 

Liberty and Union, 568. 

Meeting-noiise, 553. 
Mills, paper, 507. 
Mineral indications, 5G0. 

Nashua River, 561. 

Original Lancaster, 558. 
Orthodox Church, pastors of, 566. 



Parker, Elder Isaiah, M. D., 563. 

Peculiar people, 565. 

Poems of Mr. Seccombe, 559. 

Ponds, 561. 

Powder and ball, 562. 

Revolutionary veterans, 563. 
Round, Rev. Daniel, 564. 

Samson, Rov. Abishai, 5G4 ; Rev. Dr., 

School Money, 5G1-2. 

Seccombo, Rev. John, 559-60, 562. 

Shakers, 564. 

Soil, 567. 

Springs and brooks, 561. 

Still River, 561, 563. 

Training field, 562. 

Unitarian Ministry, 566. 

Volunteers, 568. 

War of the Rebellion, 568. 
Wheeler. Rev. Joseph, 560. 
Willard, Henry, 503, 5G9. 

" Lemuel, 503. 

" Luther, 509. 

" Maj. Simon, 563, 569. 

" Neighljorliood, 501. 

" Rev. John B., 509. 



Acreage, 570. 
Acting Pastors, 577. 
Anti-Rebellion, 573. 
Associations and Clubs, 582. 
Avery, Rev. Joseph, 575. 

Baptist Church, 577. 

" Ministers, 577. 
Bardwell, Rev. Dr. H., 575. 
Boundaries, 570. 
Bullets and flints, 572. 

Catholic Church, 578. 
Census, 572. 
Churches, 574. 
Church fund, 575. 
Cloth, yards of, 581. 

Damon, Maj. Isaac, 570-1. 

" Rev. Dr. S. C, 582. 

" Samuel, 5?0. 
Davis, Rev. Joseph, 575. 



TOWN OF IIOLDEN. 

Earthquake, 58L 
Education, 578. 



Factories, 579-61. 
First Settlers, 572. 

G. A. R. Post, 574. 
Griffin, Rov. Thomas, 578. 

Hall, Theron E., 574. 
Ilearil, Thomas, killed, 573. 
Hills and valleys, .'■)70-l. 
Holden Riflo Company, 573. 
Holder, Samuel, 570. 

Incorporation, 570. 

Lovell, Dca. John, 580. 

Mack, Miss Sarah M., 576. 
Manufactures, 579. 
Marshall, Rev. Thomas, 577. 



INDEX. 



G.jD 



Meeting-Houso, 574, 577. 
Men in tho Into War, 573. 
Military affairs, 572. 

North Worcester, 570. 

Noted Men and Women, 5S2-3. 

Orthodox Ministers, 575. 
Owners of Mills, 579-80. 

Paine, Rev. Dr. William Pitt, 575-0. 
Railroad, 561. 

Revolutionary Soldiers, 573. 
Rice, Jonas, 572. 
Roads, 5t5l. 



Salary of Minister, 575. 
Schools and Schoolmasters, 578. 
Soldiers' Monnraent, 574. 

" Names of, 574. 
Streams, 571-2. 
Surface, 570. 

Torn.ado, 581. 
Town Hall, 581-2. 

Villages, 57U-80. 

Wchh, C.ipt. George, 573. 
Welsh, Rev. Thomas, 578. 



Agrieultnro, 592. 
Anti-Rebellion, 58S. 
Area, 564. 

Bears, 585. 

Beginnings, 536. 

Bellows, Mnzzy, Woods, 567. 

Boot and Shoe Bnsiness, 594. 

Boundaries and Situation, 584. 

Brown, Eleazar, 585. 

Card-hoard, 593. 
Cattle, Herds of, 587. 
Church formed, 533-9. 
Constitution, State, 588. 
Coopers, 593. 
Copperas, .VJS. 

District, 53(1. . 
Dwight, Rev. W. E., 591. 

Early Settlers, 585, 587. 

Elev.atiou, CSJ. 

Evangelical Congregational Society, 590. 

First Congregational (Unitarian) Church, 590. 
First Officers, 583. 

Gay, Rev. Samuel, 590. 
Green, Israel, C85. 

High School, 592. 
Hubbard, Thomas, 586. 
Hunters, 585. 

Indians, 534. 

Kendall, Rev. David, 589-90. 



TOWN OF HUBBARDSTON. 

Lee, Abncr, 585. 
Loyalty, 583. 
Lumbering, 593. 



Mail Route, .'■)94. 
Mceting-Houscs, 589, .591. 
Slethodist Church, 590-1. 
Mills, 592. 
Minute-Men, 591. 

Names of Orthodox Ministers, 590. 
" Unitarian " 590. 

North-east Quarter, 585. 

Owners, Original, 584. 

Parker, Rev. Nchemiah, 583-9. 
Population, 586. 
Postmasters, .594. 
Post-Omco, 590. 
Potash, 593. 

Salary of Minister, 589. 
Schools, 591-2. 

Soldiers in tho Revolution, 538. 
Spirit in tho Revolution, 587. 

Tannery, 593. 
Tinware, 593. 

Waters, 584. 

Whitman, Rev. Joseph, 591. 

Wild beasts, 585. 

Willard, Samuel, Jr., 585. 

Wolves, 58G. 

Wood, Capt. John, 588. 



GGO 



INDEX. 



TOWN OF LANCASTER. 



Academy, CIO. 

Acreage, G14. 

Adams, Pres., fi07. 

Advcntists, Seventh-Day, 612. 

Agriculture, 614. 

Area, large, 596-7. 

Attack in five places, 600, 

Balls and Powder, 606. 

Bancroft, George, 613. 

Banks, 614. 

Bartol, Rev. George M., 610. 

Beautiful Scenery, 597. 

Bounties, 608. 

Bridges and Roads, 612-13. 

Bunker Hill Battle, 607. 

Canada Expedition, 603. 
Cannon, 604. 
Captives, COO-1. 
Carnage, awful, 601. 
Carter, James G., 610. 
Cemeteries, 614. 
Church formed, 598, 604. 
Clay beds, 615. 
Cuba, Soldiers in, 604. 

Destruction of the Town, .'599-600. 
Distiuguished Persons, 615. 
DolefuUcst day, 600. 

Early Settlers, 598 ; intelligent, 608. 

Education, 608. 

Eighty Men enlisted in 1777, 607. 

Elms, 615. 

Evangelical Congregational Church, 611. 

Families, Names of, 599. 

Farmers' Club, 614. 

Farming, CM. 

Fay, Francis B., 613. 

First Town in the County, 591. 

Fish, 597. 

Fort Dumnier, 604. 

Fortified Houses, 599. 

Freemen, 598. 

Gardner, Rev. A., killed, 603. 
Garrison on fire, 600. 
Garrisous iu 1704, 604. 
Gates, Capt. Thomas, 606. 
George Hill, 601. 
Godly Minister, 596. 
Good Reading, 613. 



Grainm.ar .School, 609. 
Grand Carouse, 601. 

Harrington, Rev. Timothy, 605. 
Hell-hounds, 600. 
Heroes of Lancaster, 604. 
High School, 612. 
Highways, 612. 
Historic Fictions, 602. 
Houghton, Capt. B., 606. 
Hot.ls, 014. 

Incorporation, 595-6. 

Increase of people, 597-8. 

Indians, 596. 

Indian attack, 599. 

Indian massacre and burning, 602-4. 

Industrial School for Girls, State, 612. 

Intervales, 597. 

Iron Bridges, 613. 

Killed, Number of, 600. 
King William's War, 603. 

Ladies' Aid, 608. 

Lancaster against the Rebellion, 607. 

" in the Revolution, 600. 

Landscape, 615. 
Libraries, 613-14. 
Long Pastorates, 605. 
Loose Spirits, 596. 
Louiiburg, 604. 

Manufactures, 614. 
Meeting-Honse, 603 
Memorial Hall, 614. 
Men of Ingenuity, 615. 
Minerals, 615. 
Ministers, Orthodox, 611. 
" Universalist, 611. 

Nashaway, 596. 

Nashua River, 597. 

New Jerusalem Church, 611-12. 

New Towns, 606. 

Normal Institute, (ilO. 

Officers of Banks, 614. 
Offices, Post, 614. 
Oldest Town, 595. 

Packard, Rev. Ch.irles, 611. 
Parker, George A., 613. 
People Killed, 604, 
Philip, King, 599. 



INDEX. 



661 



Plunder, Burniug and Torture, COO-1. 
Prentice, Rev. John, C04-5. 
Prescott, Jolin, 596. 
Priutuig, G14. 

Kailroads, 614. 

Keiul auil Write, Ability to, 59D. 
Kipe for luilcpeudcuce, 606. 
Eoniau Catholics, 612. 
Koper, Mrs., killed, 600. 
Rowlandson, Mrs., 599-600. 

" Rev. Joseph, 598-9. 

Russell, Prof. Wm., 610. 

Sabbath Days, Cheerful, 599. 

Sawyers and Biglo captured, 604. 

Scho'ols, 608. 

Sears, Eev. E. H., 610. 

Sholan, sachem, 596. 

Social Life, 598. 

Steams, Miss Deborah, 613. 

Stebbins, Rev. M. C, 610. 



Tahanto Purchase, 5 7. 
Teaclicrs, Distinguished, 610. 
Th.ayer, Nathaniel, 613-14. 

Rev. Dr. N., 605, 610. 
Town Officers in 18G1-5, 607. 

Unitarian Views, 605. 
Universalist Society, 610. 

Volunteers, 608. 

Washacuui Pond, 590. 
Washington, President, 607. 
Welcome to new Comers, 597. 
White, C.apt. John, 604. 
Whit;ing, Rev. John, killed, 603. 
Whitney, Abel, 601. 

" Miss Mary, 613. 
Willard, Maj. Simon, <595. 
Wise Men, 596. 

Youi)"- Men's Christian Association in 1748, 605. 



TOWN OF LEICESTER. 



Academy, 627-8. 
Agriculture, 631. 

Banks and officers, 632. 
Baptist Churches, 623. 

" Ministers, Names of, 624. 
Boundaries, 618. 
Business Men, 631-2. 

Cedar Swamps, 617. 
Church formed, 620. 
Cogswell, Capt. John D., 630. 
Company, Military, 630. 
Conditions of purchase, 617. 
Conklin, Rev. B., 622. 
Coolidge, Rev. A. H., 623-4, 629. 

Denison, Rev. A. C, 623. 

Dr. Lamb's " Physical Authors," 619. 

Early Residents, 618. 
Episcopal Church, 624. 
" Ministers, 625. 

Factories, 631-2. 

Farmers, 618. 

Foster, Rev. Dr. B., 623-4. 

French and Indian Wars, 628. 

Goddard, Rev. David, 621. 
Green, Elder Thomas, M.D., 623. 



Hall, Memorial, 630-1. 
Height of Laud, 618. 
Heroes in the Revolution, 629. 
Hills and Valleys, 618. 
Historians and Annalists, 616. 

Indian Women, 617. 

Jews, 625-6. 

Lawton, Dr., 619. 

Library, 633. 

Lopez, Aaron, 626. 

Lots for Ministry and Schools, 617. 

May, Rev. S.amuel, 618, 625. 
Mechanics, 618. 
Mecting-House, 619-20. 
Methodists, 625. 
Money for the War, 630. 
Moore, Rev. Dr., 622. 
Mueneher, Rev. Joseph, 624. 

Nelson, John, Rev. Dr., 623. 
« Mrs. Dr., 630. 

Oraskaso, sachem, 617. 

Panoramic Views, 618. 
Parsons, Rev. David, 620-21. 
Ponds, 618. 
Purchasers of Territory, 617. 



662 



INDEX. 



Quaker Mecting-Hoaso, 634. 
Quakers or Friends, 624. 
" Leading Men, 634. 

Rattlesnakes, 628. 
Rebellion, The, opposed, 630. 
Revolutionary Spirit, 628. 
Roads, 619. 

Roberts, Rev. Joseph, 621. 
Roman Catholics, 625. 

Schools, 625-7. 
Settlement, 617. 
Shays' Rebellion, 630. 
Strawberry Hill, C17. 

Territory bought of Indians, 616. 



Town Meeting, First. 018. 

" Officers chosen, 018-19. 
Towtaid, Indian Name, 617. 
Troojjs in 1831-5, 030. 

Unitarian Society and Ministers, 625. 

Venerable Women, 632-3. 

War HUtory, 023-31. 
Washburn, Col. Seth, 628-9. 
" Hon. Emory, 617. 

Wolf-Pit, 619. 
Wolves, 628. 

" You Pray, and I'll Fight," 029. 



LRBMr'?? 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



013 996 503 6 







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